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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
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Customary Law
Ghana
- English(1) The laws of Ghana shall comprise—
…
(e) the common law.
(2) The common law of Ghana shall comprise the rules of law generally known as the common law, the rules generally known as the doctrines of equity and the rules of customary law including those determined by the Superior Court of Judicature.
(3) For the purposes of this article, “customary law” means the rules of law which by custom are applicable to particular communities in Ghana.
… (Art. 11)
Customary Law
Vanuatu
- EnglishAll land in the Republic of Vanuatu belongs to the indigenous custom owners and their descendants. (Art. 73)
- FrenchToutes les terres situées dans le territoire de la République appartiennent aux propriétaires coutumiers indigènes et à leur descendance. (Art. 73)
Customary Law
Zambia
- English...
2. In exercising judicial authority, the courts shall be guided by the following principles:
…
d. alternative forms of dispute resolution, including traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
...
3. Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not—
a. contravene the Bill of Rights;
b. be inconsistent with other provisions of this Constitution or other written law; or
c. be repugnant to justice and morality. (Art. 118)
Customary Law
Marshall Islands
- English(1) The Traditional Rights Court shall be a court of record; shall consist of panels of 3 or more judges selected so as to include a fair representation of all classes of land rights,9 including, where applicable, the Iroijiaplap, Iroijedrik, Alap and Dri Jerbal; and shall sit at such times and places and be chosen on such a geographical basis, as to ensure fair and knowledgeable exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by this Section.
(2) The size, membership and procedures of the Traditional Rights Court shall be consistent with paragraph (1) of this Section, and shall be determined by the High Court unless and until the Nitijela makes provision for those matters by Act.
(3) The jurisdiction of the Traditional Rights Court shall be limited to the determination of questions relating to titles or to land rights or to other legal interests depending wholly or partly on customary law and traditional practice in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
(4) The jurisdiction of the Traditional Rights Court may be invoked as of right upon application by a party to a pending judicial proceeding; but only if the court in which such proceeding is pending certifies that a substantial question has arisen within the jurisdiction of the Traditional Rights Court.
(5) When a question has been certified to the Traditional Rights Court for its determination under paragraph (4), its resolution of the question shall be given substantial weight in the certifying court’s disposition of the legal controversy before it; but shall not be deemed binding unless the certifying court concludes that justice so requires. (Art. VI, Sec. 4)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English…
(2) The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level, include—
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(h) the fostering of national unity, peace and stability, with due regard to diversity of languages, customary practices and traditions;
… (Sec. 3)
Customary Law
Micronesia, Federated States of
- EnglishThe traditions of the people of the Federated States of Micronesia may be protected by statute. If challenged as violative of Article IV2, protection of Micronesian tradition shall be considered a compelling social purpose warranting such governmental action. (Art. V, Sec. 2)
Customary Law
Malaysia
- English(1) Parliament may make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, but only as follows, that is to say:
(a) for the purpose of implementing any treaty, agreement or convention between the Federation and any other country, or any decision of an international organization of which the Federation is a member;
(b) for the purpose of promoting uniformity of the laws of two or more States; or
(c) if so requested by the Legislative Assembly of any State.
(2) No law shall be made in pursuance of paragraph (a) of Clause (1) with respect to any matters of Islamic law or the custom of the Malays or to any matters of native law or custom in the States of Sabah and Sarawak and no Bill for a law under that paragraph shall be introduced into either House of Parliament until the Government of any State concerned has been consulted.
… (Art. 76) - Malay(1) Parlimen boleh membuat undang-undang mengenai apa-apa perkara yang disebut satu persatu dalam Senarai Negeri, tetapi hanya seperti yang berikut sahaja, iaitu:
(a) bagi maksud melaksanakan apa-apa triti, perjanjian atau konvensyen antara Persekutuan dengan mana-mana negara lain, atau apa-apa keputusan sesuatu organisasi antarabangsa yang dianggotai oleh Persekutuan; atau
(b) bagi maksud menggalakkan keseragaman undang-undang antara dua Negeri atau lebih; atau
(c) jika diminta sedemikian oleh Dewan Undangan mana-mana Negeri.
(2) Tiada undang-undang boleh dibuat menurut perenggan (a) Fasal (1) mengenai apa-apa perkara mengenai hukum Syarak atau adat orang Melayu atau mengenai apa-apa perkara tentang undang-undang atau adat anak negeri di Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak dan tiada Rang Undang-Undang bagi suatu undang-undang di bawah perenggan itu boleh dibawa di dalam mana-mana satu Majlis Parlimen sehingga Kerajaan mana-mana Negeri yang berkenaan telah dirundingi.
… (Perkara 76)
Customary Law
Nigeria
- English(1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of a customary Court of Appeal to the Court of Appeal as of right in any civil proceedings before the customary Court of Appeal with respect to any question of Customary law and such other matters as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
(2) Any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decisions of a Customary Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be –
(a) exercisable at the instance of a party thereto or, with the leave of the Customary Court of Appeal or of the Court of Appeal, at the instance of any other person having an interest in the matter;
(b) exercised in accordance with any Act of the National Assembly and rules of court for the time being in force regulating the powers, practice and procedure of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 245)
Customary Law
Uganda
- English1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
2. Laws, cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or any other marginalised group to which clause (1) relates or which undermine their status, are prohibited by this Constitution.
… (Art. 32)
Customary Law
Uganda
- English1. A regional assembly may establish standing and other committees or organs for the efficient discharge of its functions.
2. The representatives of cultural interests shall constitute the standing committee on cultural matters.
3. The standing committee on cultural matters shall have, as against the rest of the members of the regional assembly, exclusive jurisdiction on the cultural matters of the region.
4. In this paragraph "cultural matters" include the following-
a. the choice and installation of a traditional leader or cultural leader;
b. all traditional and cultural matters relating to the traditional or cultural leader and to the institutions of the traditional leader or cultural leader as well as royal members of the traditional leadership;
c. the choice, appointment and succession to clan and subclan leadership;
d. clan, traditional and customary matters;
e. matters relating to cultural funeral rites, cultural succession and customary heirs;
f. cultural or traditional lands, sites, shrines and installations;
g. clan lands, sites, shrines and installations; and
h. traditional, customary and cultural practices which are consistent with this Constitution.
5. In carrying out its responsibilities under subparagraphs (3) and (4), the standing committee on cultural matters shall consult the traditional or cultural leader of the region as well as the relevant clan leaders.
6. A decision of the standing committee on cultural matters shall not be effective until the decision has been approved by the traditional or cultural leader of the region and, in the case of succession under subparagraph (4)(a), by the clan or cultural leader's council. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 3)