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Comparison of selected legal systems
AttributeParaguayReviewedLebanonReviewedGrenadaReviewedAustriaReviewed
Legal familyCivil lawCivil law with confessional personal statusCommon lawCivil law
System of governmentUnitary presidential republicUnitary confessional parliamentary republicConstitutional monarchyFederal parliamentary republic
ConstitutionConstitution of the Republic of ParaguayConstitution of LebanonThe Grenada ConstitutionBundes-Verfassungsgesetz (B-VG)
In force since1992192619731920
CapitalAsunciรณnBeirutSaint George'sVienna
Official languagesSpanish, GuaranรญArabic, FrenchEnglishGerman
CurrencyParaguayan guaranรญ (PYG)Lebanese pound (LBP)East Caribbean dollar (XCD)Euro (EUR)
Population6,900,0005,400,000126,0009,100,000
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.Unitary, with eight governorates and districts administered centrally and elected municipal councils that have real but under-funded competences. Administrative decentralisation was promised by Taif and never enacted.Unitary. The state comprises Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique; Carriacou and Petite Martinique have a Ministry and local administration but no separate legislature.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.
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 are introduced by the Council of Ministers or by members, examined in committee and voted by Parliament. The President promulgates, and may request reconsideration once, which Parliament overcomes by an absolute majority. Where Parliament delegates, the Council of Ministers may legislate by decree-law for a fixed period. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority and government initiative or a Parliamentary proposal supported by two-thirds.Bills pass three readings in both Houses and receive the Governor-General's assent. Constitutional amendments to entrenched provisions need a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives and then approval by a referendum, a double lock that has defeated every reform package put to voters.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.
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.Lawyers are admitted by the Beirut Bar Association or the Tripoli Bar Association after a law degree and a three-year traineeship, with compulsory membership and a right of audience that widens with seniority. Both bars are self-governing and historically influential in public life. Notaries are licensed public officers whose authentication is required for real property transfers and company formation, and the two bars maintain legal aid committees that provide the main free representation.A fused profession of legal practitioners admitted by the High Court under the Legal Profession Act, after a law degree and the Legal Education Certificate. The Grenada Bar Association represents practitioners.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 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.