Central African Republic · Overview
The legal system of Central African Republic
A French-tradition civil-law system whose institutions have been severely disrupted by prolonged conflict. A Special Criminal Court, staffed by national and international judges, prosecutes serious violations alongside ICC proceedings — a hybrid arrangement with few parallels. OHADA governs commercial law.
Legal tradition
Central African Republic belongs to the civil law (french tradition) tradition. A French-tradition civil-law system whose institutions have been severely disrupted by prolonged conflict. A Special Criminal Court, staffed by national and international judges, prosecutes serious violations alongside ICC proceedings — a hybrid arrangement with few parallels. OHADA governs commercial law.
How power is divided
Presidential system with a Prime Minister, a legislature provided for as bicameral under the 2023 text, and a judiciary that includes the hybrid Special Criminal Court.
Where law comes from
- Constitution of 2023
- Adopted by referendum to replace the 2016 text.
- OHADA Uniform Acts
- Directly applicable commercial law.
- CEMAC community law
- Regional economic and monetary rules.
- Laws and ordinances
- Legislative and delegated instruments.
- Customary law
- Widely applied in practice outside Bangui.
The legal profession
Avocats admitted through the Ordre des avocats de Centrafrique; the profession is small and concentrated in Bangui.
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