Syria · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Syria, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Transitional constitutional declaration 2025
- Provisional framework pending a permanent constitution.
- The Civil Code 1949
- Sanhuri-model codification; remains in force and in daily use.
- Personal Status Law 1953
- Islamic family law for Muslims; other communities apply their own law.
- Legislative decrees and laws
- The pre-2024 corpus continues to apply except where repealed or suspended.
- Sharia and custom
- Fill gaps under the Civil Code's interpretive provisions.
The legislative process
Under the transitional declaration, legislation is issued by the interim authorities pending the election of a permanent legislature, and published in the Official Gazette. Before 2024, laws passed the People's Assembly and were promulgated by the President, who also legislated extensively by decree between sessions. Practitioners should verify the current status of any instrument, since repeals and suspensions are ongoing.
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