São Tomé and Príncipe · Overview
The legal system of São Tomé and Príncipe
A Portuguese-tradition civil-law system in Africa's second-smallest state. Portuguese codes remain heavily influential and the Supreme Court exercises constitutional jurisdiction. Príncipe holds a constitutionally recognised autonomous status with its own regional government.
Legal tradition
São Tomé and Príncipe belongs to the civil law (portuguese tradition) tradition. A Portuguese-tradition civil-law system in Africa's second-smallest state. Portuguese codes remain heavily influential and the Supreme Court exercises constitutional jurisdiction. Príncipe holds a constitutionally recognised autonomous status with its own regional government.
How power is divided
Semi-presidential: a directly elected President with veto and dissolution powers, a Prime Minister accountable to the National Assembly, and an independent judiciary.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- Supreme law; 1990 text as revised in 2003.
- International law
- Ratified treaties apply in the domestic order.
- Laws and decree-laws
- Assembly statutes and government instruments.
- Codes
- Civil, penal and procedure codes on the Portuguese model.
- Regional legislation
- Autonomous Region of Príncipe within its competences.
The legal profession
Advogados admitted through the Ordem dos Advogados; the profession is very small and many practitioners train in Portugal.
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