Moldova · Overview
The legal system of Moldova
A civil-law system whose 2002 Civil Code was heavily recast in 2019 along German lines. EU candidate status since 2022 has made accession-driven reform — judicial vetting, anti-corruption and asset recovery — the organising theme of current legal change. Gagauzia holds a special autonomy status by statute.
Legal tradition
Moldova belongs to the civil law tradition. A civil-law system whose 2002 Civil Code was heavily recast in 2019 along German lines. EU candidate status since 2022 has made accession-driven reform — judicial vetting, anti-corruption and asset recovery — the organising theme of current legal change. Gagauzia holds a special autonomy status by statute.
How power is divided
Parliamentary, though the President has been directly elected since 2016; the Constitutional Court arbitrates between the two.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- Supreme law; conflicting acts are void.
- International treaties
- Ratified treaties are part of domestic law and prevail over conflicting statute.
- EU approximation commitments
- Association Agreement and candidate-status obligations drive reform.
- Codes and laws
- Civil Code (2002, recast 2019), Criminal Code (2002), Labour Code (2003).
- Government decisions
- Secondary legislation implementing statutes.
- Supreme Court advisory opinions
- Guide the uniform application of law.
The legal profession
Lawyers are licensed by the Union of Advocates after examination and traineeship; notaries, bailiffs and authorised administrators are separate licensed professions.
Found something out of date on Moldova · Overview?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.