Cape Verde · Overview
The legal system of Cape Verde
A Portuguese-tradition civil-law system and one of Africa's most stable constitutional democracies. Codes follow the Portuguese model closely, and the country has recodified extensively since 2000 — including a modern Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure — with a Constitutional Court operating since 2015.
Legal tradition
Cape Verde belongs to the civil law (portuguese tradition) tradition. A Portuguese-tradition civil-law system and one of Africa's most stable constitutional democracies. Codes follow the Portuguese model closely, and the country has recodified extensively since 2000 — including a modern Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure — with a Constitutional Court operating since 2015.
How power is divided
Semi-presidential: a directly elected President with limited powers, a Prime Minister accountable to the National Assembly, and an independent judiciary with a separate Constitutional Court.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- Supreme; provides for direct applicability of fundamental rights.
- International law
- Ratified treaties rank above ordinary legislation.
- Laws and decree-laws
- Assembly statutes and government legislation under authorisation.
- Codes
- Civil, Penal, Criminal Procedure, Commercial and Labour Codes.
- Regulations
- Government and municipal regulatory instruments.
The legal profession
Advogados admitted through the Ordem dos Advogados after a law degree and traineeship; notaries and registrars form separate careers on the Portuguese model.
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