Iraq · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Iraq, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The 2005 Constitution
- Supreme; Article 2 makes Islam a source of legislation with a non-contradiction clause.
- Federal statutes
- Enacted by the Council of Representatives and published in al-Waqa'i al-Iraqiyya.
- The Civil Code 1951
- Sanhuri's fusion of French technique with Islamic and Mecelle rules.
- Kurdistan Region legislation
- Prevails within the Region outside exclusive federal competences.
- Sharia and custom
- Article 1 of the Civil Code directs courts to Islamic principles and custom to fill gaps.
The legislative process
Bills are proposed by the President with the Council of Ministers, or by ten members or a committee of the Council of Representatives. They pass two readings and a vote, and the President ratifies within fifteen days, after which they are published and take effect. The Federation Council envisaged by the Constitution has never been created, so there is no second chamber in practice.
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