Timor-Leste · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Timor-Leste, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The 2002 Constitution
- Supreme; recognises customary law in Article 2 subject to consistency.
- Laws of the National Parliament
- Promulgated by the President, who may veto or refer for review.
- The Civil Code 2011 and Criminal Code 2009
- Portuguese-model codifications replacing the transitional inheritance.
- Government decree-laws
- Made under parliamentary authorisation.
- Customary law (adat)
- Widely applied to land and family matters, especially outside Dili.
The legislative process
Bills pass the National Parliament in general and detailed debate and go to the President, who within a fixed period must promulgate, veto with reasons, or refer the text to the Court of Appeal for a constitutionality ruling. Parliament may override a political veto by an absolute majority, but a finding of unconstitutionality is binding. The Government also legislates by decree-law within limits set by enabling statutes.
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