Rights
1968 Constitution, a Supreme Court, and a retained appeal to the Privy Council
The 1968 Constitution is the supreme law, with Chapter II fundamental rights enforceable in the Supreme Court. Mauritius is a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial President. Uniquely among African states alongside Seychelles, final appeals in many matters still lie to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Supreme Court hears constitutional matters; appeals lie to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Governing law
- Constitution of Mauritius 1968 — Chapter II fundamental rights; s 81 appeals to the Privy Council
- Supreme Court Act 1945
- Courts Act 1945
In practice
The retained Privy Council appeal is the defining institutional feature: Mauritian constitutional and commercial jurisprudence is developed partly in London, which gives the case law an unusual authority in the region and links it directly to Commonwealth doctrine.