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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
AttributeSeychellesReviewedNew ZealandReviewed
Legal familyMixed French civil law and English common lawCommon law
System of governmentPresidential republicConstitutional monarchy
ConstitutionConstitution of the Republic of SeychellesUncodified โ€” principally the Constitution Act 1986
In force since19931986
CapitalVictoriaWellington
Official languagesSeychellois Creole, English, FrenchEnglish, Mฤori, New Zealand Sign Language
CurrencySeychellois rupee (SCR)New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Population130,0005,200,000
Division of powersUnitary with 27 administrative districts. The outer islands are administered centrally, and the Seychelles' extensive exclusive economic zone is a significant focus of regulation.Unitary. Parliament legislates for the whole country and there are no states or provinces. Regional and territorial authorities exist only under the Local Government Act 2002 and exercise delegated statutory powers. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory, while the Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and have their own legal systems.
How law is madeBills pass the National Assembly with committee scrutiny and receive presidential assent; the President may refer a bill to the Constitutional Court on a question of constitutionality before assent. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority, and amendments to certain protected provisions additionally require a referendum.A bill has a first reading, select committee scrutiny (usually with public submissions), second reading, committee of the whole House, and third reading, followed by Royal assent. There is no upper house, so the select committee stage carries the weight that a second chamber would elsewhere. The Attorney-General must report to the House under section 7 of the Bill of Rights Act on any bill that appears inconsistent with protected rights, but the House may pass it anyway. Reserved provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 require either 75% of all members or a majority at referendum.
Legal professionA fused profession of attorneys-at-law admitted by the Supreme Court after a recognised law qualification and pupillage, with the Bar Association of Seychelles representing practitioners.A fused profession under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006: a lawyer is admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court, and may then practise as a barrister sole or in a firm. Admission requires an approved law degree, the Professional Legal Studies Course and a certificate of character. The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kฤhui Ture o Aotearoa regulates the profession, and King's Counsel are appointed from senior practitioners.

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.