Republic of the Congo · Overview
The legal system of Republic of the Congo
A French-tradition civil-law system and CEMAC member. Commercial law is governed by the OHADA Uniform Acts and hydrocarbons law dominates commercial practice. The 2015 constitution restructured the executive and created a Constitutional Court with expanded jurisdiction.
Legal tradition
Republic of the Congo belongs to the civil law (french tradition) tradition. A French-tradition civil-law system and CEMAC member. Commercial law is governed by the OHADA Uniform Acts and hydrocarbons law dominates commercial practice. The 2015 constitution restructured the executive and created a Constitutional Court with expanded jurisdiction.
How power is divided
Presidential system with a Prime Minister, a bicameral Parliament of National Assembly and Senate, and a judiciary headed by the Supreme Court with a separate Constitutional Court.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- 2015 text; supreme domestic norm.
- OHADA Uniform Acts
- Directly applicable commercial law.
- CEMAC community law
- Regional economic and monetary rules.
- Laws and ordinances
- Parliamentary statutes and delegated instruments.
- Codes
- Civil, penal, family (1984), labour and hydrocarbons codes.
The legal profession
Avocats admitted through the Ordre des avocats du Congo; notaires and huissiers are separate ministerial officers.
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