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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.
Customary Law
- English1. This Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of Liberia and its provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and persons throughout the Republic.
2. Any laws, treaties, statutes, decrees, customs and regulations found to be inconsistent with it shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void and of no legal effect. … (Art. 2)
Customary Law
- English1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies.
2. In any community, where the issue of traditional or cultural leader has not been resolved, the issue shall be resolved by the community concerned using a method prescribed by Parliament.
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4. The allegiance and privileges accorded to a traditional leader or a cultural leader by virtue of that office shall not be regarded as a discriminatory practice prohibited under article 21 of this Constitution; but any custom, practice, usage or tradition relating to a traditional leader or cultural leader which detracts from the rights of any person as guaranteed by this Constitution, shall be taken to be prohibited under that article.
5. For the avoidance of doubt, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall be taken to exist in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
6. For the purposes of this article, "traditional leader or cultural leader" means a king or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader. (Art. 246)
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…
4. All levels of government shall:
...
b. enact laws to combat harmful customs and traditions which undermine the dignity and status of women;
… (Art. 16)
Customary Law
- English...
(2) The National Assembly shall not proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) that, in the opinion of the person presiding, would, if enacted, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution or affect-
(a) the designation, recognition, removal of powers of Dikgosi or Dikgosana
(b) the organization, powers or administration of customary courts;
(c) customary law, or the ascertainment or recording of customary law; or
(d) tribal organization or tribal property,
unless-
(i) a copy of the Bill has been referred to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi after it has been introduced in the National Assembly; and
(ii) a period of 30 days has elapsed from the date when the copy of the Bill was referred to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi. (Sec. 88)
Customary Law
- English
(1) In exercising his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter11 in respect of appointments to the offices of Justices of the Supreme court and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the President shall have regard to the need to ensure that there are among the holders of such offices persons learned in Islamic personal law and persons learned in Customary law.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
...
(b) a person shall be deemed to be learned in Customary law if he is a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of a Justice of the Supreme Court or not less than twelve years in the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has in either case and in the opinion of the National Judicial Council considerable knowledge of and experience in the practice of Customary law. (Sec. 288)
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;
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• "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;
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• "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
- EnglishEvery Togolese citizen has the right to circulate freely and to establish themselves in the national territory in any place [point] of their choice within the conditions defined by the law or local custom. … (Art. 22)
- FrenchTout citoyen togolais a le droit de circuler librement et de s'établir sur le territoire national en tout point de son choix dans les conditions définies par la loi ou la coutume locale. … (Art. 22)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe customary and traditional rules governing the matrimonial regimes and inheritance may only be applicable with the consent of the parties concerned.
In default of consent, the national law alone is applicable.
It is the same in case of conflict between two [2] or more customary rules. (Art. 162) - Arabicلا يمكن تطبيق القواعد العرفية والتقليدية التي تحكم أنظمة الزواج والإرث إلا بموافقة الأطراف المعنية.
في غياب الموافقة، يكون القانون الوطني الوحيد الواجب تطبيقه.
يطبق القانون نفسه في حالة وجود تعارض بين قاعدتين [2] عرفيتين أو أكثر. (المادة 162) - FrenchLes règles coutumières et traditionnelles régissant les régimes matrimoniaux et les successions ne peuvent s'appliquer qu'avec le consentement des parties concernées.
A défaut de consentement, la loi nationale est seule applicable.
Il en est de même en cas de conflit entre deux (2) ou plusieurs règles coutumières. (Art. 162)
Customary Law
- English(1) The judiciary of Zimbabwe consists of—
…
(f) persons presiding over magistrates courts, customary law courts and other courts established by or under an Act of Parliament.
… (Sec. 163)