Ethiopia · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Ethiopia, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Constitution
- Supreme; interpreted by the House of Federation, not by the courts.
- Federal proclamations
- Primary legislation of the House of Peoples' Representatives.
- The codes
- Civil Code 1960, Criminal Code 2004, Commercial Code 2021, and the procedure codes.
- Cassation precedent
- Decisions of the Federal Supreme Court Cassation Division bind lower courts by statute.
- Customary and religious law
- Sharia courts for Muslim personal status by consent; customary law widely applied in family and land matters.
The legislative process
Bills are introduced by the Council of Ministers or by members of the House of Peoples' Representatives, examined in standing committee, and passed by simple majority. The House of Federation does not participate in ordinary legislation — its functions are constitutional interpretation, approving state-of-emergency declarations affecting rights, and deciding questions about nations and nationalities. Proclamations take effect on publication in the Federal Negarit Gazeta, which is the authoritative text.
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