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Comparison

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Because every portal follows the same fifteen-section outline, the comparison is genuinely like-for-like rather than a collage of whatever each government happens to publish.

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Comparison of selected legal systems
AttributeParaguayReviewedAustriaReviewedEcuadorReviewedBeninReviewed
Legal familyCivil lawCivil lawCivil lawCivil law (French tradition)
System of governmentUnitary presidential republicFederal parliamentary republicUnitary presidential republicUnitary presidential republic
ConstitutionConstitution of the Republic of ParaguayBundes-Verfassungsgesetz (B-VG)Constitution of the Republic of EcuadorConstitution of the Republic of Benin
In force since1992192020081990
CapitalAsunciรณnViennaQuitoPorto-Novo
Official languagesSpanish, GuaranรญGermanSpanish, Quechua, ShuarFrench, Fon, Yoruba
CurrencyParaguayan guaranรญ (PYG)Euro (EUR)United States dollar (USD)West African CFA franc (XOF)
Population6,900,0009,100,00018,200,00013,700,000
Division of powersUnitary with seventeen departments and the capital district, each with an elected governor and departmental board holding administrative and limited fiscal competence. Legislative power is national.Nine Lรคnder hold their own constitutions, parliaments and governments, but the federation retains far more legislative power than in Germany or Switzerland; much Lรคnder activity is administering federal law (mittelbare Bundesverwaltung). Three separate high courts sit at the apex, for constitutional, administrative and ordinary matters respectively.Unitary and decentralised, with twenty-four provinces and autonomous decentralised governments at provincial, cantonal and parish level. Indigenous authorities exercise their own jurisdiction under Article 171, subject to constitutional review.Presidential system without a Prime Minister for most of its history, a unicameral National Assembly, and a Constitutional Court with broad access rules.
How law is madeBills may start in either chamber and must pass both. The President may object in whole or part; Congress overcomes an objection by absolute majority in both chambers. Constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber and ratification by referendum; wholesale reform requires a constituent assembly.Bills originate with the government, members of the Nationalrat, the Bundesrat or a popular initiative, and pass three readings in the Nationalrat. The Bundesrat may object but can normally be overridden. The Federal President authenticates the law, the Chancellor countersigns, and it is published in the Bundesgesetzblatt.Bills go to the Assembly from members, the President, the Court, citizens or autonomous governments, and need two debates. The President may fully or partially object; a full objection can only be overcome after a year or by a two-thirds vote. Urgent economic bills become law by decree if the Assembly fails to act in thirty days. Amendment routes differ by depth, from Assembly vote to constituent assembly.Bills are examined in committee and voted in plenary by the National Assembly. The President promulgates; the Constitutional Court may be seised before or after promulgation, including by individuals.
Legal professionA law degree and registration of the title with the Supreme Court, which maintains the roll and exercises discipline. Bar membership is voluntary. Because both Spanish and Guaranรญ are official, courts must provide interpretation, and practitioners outside Asunciรณn are commonly bilingual.A Rechtsanwalt qualifies through a law degree, five years of practical training including at least three in a law firm and some months at court, and the bar examination. Admission is via the regional bar chambers under the umbrella of the ร–sterreichischer Rechtsanwaltskammertag. Notaries are a separate profession with appointments limited in number.A law degree plus registration in the Forense registry of the Consejo de la Judicatura, and usually membership of a provincial colegio de abogados. The Judicature Council holds disciplinary power. Public defence is provided by the Defensorรญa Pรบblica, a separate autonomous body.Avocats admitted through the Barreau du Bรฉnin; notaires and huissiers are separate ministerial officers.

A comparison table flattens nuance by design. Where a difference matters to a decision you are making, open both portals and read the section in full โ€” the constitutional detail behind a one-line summary is often the part that governs the outcome.