Lesotho · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Lesotho, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution
- Supreme law; inconsistent legislation is void.
- Acts of Parliament
- Primary legislation of the bicameral Parliament.
- Roman-Dutch common law
- Substantive private law drawn through Cape and South African authority.
- Laws of Lerotholi
- Codified customary law on chieftainship, succession, marriage and land.
- Case law
- Binding precedent from the Court of Appeal downwards.
The legislative process
Bills pass three readings in the National Assembly, go to the Senate for review, and receive royal assent. The Senate can delay but not indefinitely block ordinary bills. Amendments to entrenched constitutional provisions require a two-thirds majority and, for the most protected clauses, a referendum.
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