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Malawi

Republic of Malawi

English common law with customary lawPresidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Lilongwe
Population
20,900,000
Languages
English, Chichewa
Currency
MWK

Malawi · Courts

Court structure of Malawi

Every tier of the judiciary, what it hears, and where an appeal goes next.

The hierarchy, top to bottom

Final appellate — Supreme Court of Appeal
Final court for civil, criminal and constitutional appeals.
Superior — High Court
Unlimited original jurisdiction; sits as a constitutional court with an enlarged bench.
First instance — Magistrates' courts
Ordinary civil and criminal work within statutory limits.
Customary — Local courts
Apply customary law; reintroduced by statute after earlier abolition.
Specialised — Industrial Relations Court
Employment and labour disputes, with appeal to the High Court.

Every court in the hierarchy

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