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Customary Law
- English
The traditional chieftaincy is represented by the National Chamber of Traditional Kings and Chiefs. The National Chamber of Traditional Kings and Chiefs is the Institution regrouping all the traditional Kings and Chiefs of Côte d'Ivoire.
It is notably responsible for:
- the valorization of habits and customs;
- the promotion of the ideals of peace, of development and of social cohesion;
- the non-jurisdictional settlement of conflicts within villages and between communities.
The traditional chieftaincy participates, within the conditions determined by a law, in the administration of the territory. (Art. 175) - French
La chefferie traditionnelle est représentée par la Chambre nationale des Rois et Chefs traditionnels. La Chambre nationale des Rois et Chefs traditionnels est l’Institution regroupant tous les Rois et Chefs traditionnels de Côte d’Ivoire.
Elle est chargée notamment:
- de la valorisation des us et coutumes ;
- de la promotion des idéaux de paix, de développement et de cohésion sociale ;
- du règlement non juridictionnel des conflits dans les villages et entre les communautés.
La chefferie traditionnelle participe, dans les conditions déterminées par une loi, à l’administration du territoire. (Art. 175)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Council of Chiefs which shall be composed of twelve Chiefs drawn from the four regions of the Kingdom appointed by the iNgwenyama on a rotational basis.
(2) There shall be a Chairman of the Council who shall be appointed by the iNgwenyama and a secretary whose office shall be a public office.
(3) The Council of Chiefs shall be responsible for, among other things ...
(a) advising the King on customary issues and any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy including chieftaincy disputes;
(b) performing the function in terms of section 115; and
(c) performing such other functions as may be assigned by this Constitution or any other law.
… (Sec. 251)
Customary Law
- English(1) Every person is entitled to enjoy, practise, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the provisions of this Constitution.
(2) All customary practices which dehumanise or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited. (Art. 26)
Customary Law
- English1. In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:
• "Chief" does not include the King but includes Principal Chief, and Headman and any other chief whose office is recognised by section 103(1) of this Constitution, and references to a Chief are references to the person who, under the law for the time being in force in that behalf, is recognised as entitled to exercise the functions of the office of that Chief;
…
• "customary law" means the customary law of Lesotho for the time being in force subject to any modification or other provision made in respect thereof by any Act of Parliament;
…
• "law includes--
...
ii. the customary law of Lesotho and any other unwritten rule of law, …
• "Principal Chief" means a chief whose office is among those set out in Schedule 2 to this Constitution;
… (Sec. 154)
Customary Law
- English(1) For the purpose of exercising any jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Constitution or any other law, the Court of Appeal shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than three Justices of the Court of Appeal and in the case of appeals from –
…
(b) a Customary Court of Appeal, if it consists of not less than three Justices of Court of Appeal learned in Customary law. (Sec. 247)
Customary Law
- English(1) The institution, status and role of traditional leadership, according to customary law, are recognised, subject to the Constitution.
(2) A traditional authority that observes a system of customary law may function subject to any applicable legislation and customs, which includes amendments to, or repeal of, that legislation or those customs.
(3) The courts must apply customary law when that law is applicable, subject to the Constitution and any legislation that specifically deals with customary law. (Sec. 211)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe law establishes the rules concerning:
…
– the procedure following which customs [coutumes] are declared and harmonized with the fundamental principles of the Constitution;
… (Art. 84) - FrenchLa loi fixe les règles concernant :
...
- la procédure selon laquelle les coutumes seront constatées et mises en harmonie avec les principes fondamentaux de la Constitution ;
... (Art. 84)
Customary Law
- 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
- English…
It recognizes and protects the traditional values in accordance with the law and the Customary Authorities.
… (Art. 24) - French…
Elle reconnaît et protège les valeurs traditionnelles conformes à la loi et les Autorités costumières.
… (Art. 24)
Customary Law
- English(1) The institution, status and role of traditional leaders under customary law are recognised.
(2) A traditional leader is responsible for performing the cultural, customary and traditional functions of a Chief, headperson or village head, as the case may be, for his or her community. (Sec. 280)