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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
AttributeParaguayReviewedPeruReviewedNigerIndexedNauruReviewed
Legal familyCivil lawCivil lawCivil law (French tradition)Common law with customary law
System of governmentUnitary presidential republicUnitary semi-presidential republicRepublic under military-led governmentParliamentary republic
ConstitutionConstitution of the Republic of ParaguayPolitical Constitution of PeruConstitution of the Seventh Republic (suspended)Constitution of Nauru
In force since1992199320101968
CapitalAsunciรณnLimaNiameyYaren (seat of government)
Official languagesSpanish, GuaranรญSpanish, Quechua, AymaraFrench, Hausa, ZarmaNauruan, English
CurrencyParaguayan guaranรญ (PYG)Peruvian sol (PEN)West African CFA franc (XOF)Australian dollar (AUD)
Population6,900,00034,000,00026,200,00012,500
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 and decentralised, with twenty-five regional governments and the Lima Metropolitan Municipality holding elected councils and administrative competence. Peasant and native communities exercise jurisdiction within their territory under Article 149 in coordination with the justices of the peace.Under the suspended constitution, a semi-presidential system with a President, Prime Minister and National Assembly. Currently executive and legislative authority is concentrated in the CNSP and an appointed government.Unitary and highly centralised โ€” Nauru has no second tier of general government. The Nauru Island Council was abolished in 1999, so the state deals directly with citizens, though the 14 districts remain the basis for parliamentary constituencies and the twelve tribes retain social significance in land and title questions.
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 come from Congress, the executive, regional governments or citizens. A single chamber debates in committee and plenary; a second vote is required unless exempted. The President may observe a bill, and Congress insists by absolute majority. Constitutional amendment needs an absolute majority in two successive ordinary legislatures, or a two-thirds vote plus referendum.Legislation is currently made by order of the governing authority and published in the Journal Officiel. The suspended constitution provided for ordinary parliamentary passage and presidential promulgation.Bills receive three readings in the 19-member chamber and are assented to by the President. Ordinary legislation needs a simple majority, but the entrenched provisions of Part XI require a two-thirds majority and, for the most protected articles, approval at a referendum โ€” the barrier that defeated the 2010 reform proposals.
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 law degree followed by a bachiller and tรญtulo de abogado, then compulsory registration with one of the departmental colegios de abogados, which hold disciplinary power. Registration in one college permits practice nationwide. Notaries are a separate profession appointed by competitive examination.Avocats admitted through the Barreau du Niger after a law degree and traineeship; notaires and huissiers are separate offices.A very small fused profession admitted by the Supreme Court under the Legal Practitioners Act 1973, supplemented by pleaders โ€” non-lawyers licensed to appear in the District Court and before the Lands Committee, a practical necessity given the number of resident lawyers. Judicial officers are frequently appointed from Australia, New Zealand or elsewhere in the Pacific.

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.