Wallis and FutunaWallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language),Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
West BankArabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and manyPalestinians), English (widely understood)
Western SaharaHassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
WorldMandarin Chinese 13.69%, Spanish 5.05%, English 4.84%, Hindi2.82%, Portuguese 2.77%, Bengali 2.68%, Russian 2.27%, Japanese1.99%, Standard German 1.49%, Wu Chinese 1.21% (2004 est.)note: percents are for "first language" speakers only
YemenArabic
ZambiaEnglish (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi,Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages
ZimbabweEnglish (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of theNdebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribaldialects
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@2100 Legal system
Afghanistanaccording to the new constitution, no law should be"contrary to Islam"; the state is obliged to create a prosperous andprogressive society based on social justice, protection of humandignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, andto ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups andtribes; the state shall abide by the UN charter, internationaltreaties, international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights
Akrotirithe laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Albaniahas a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the InternationalCriminal Court for its citizens
Algeriasocialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial reviewof legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed ofvarious public officials, including several Supreme Court justices;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
American SamoaNA
Andorrabased on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial reviewof legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Angolabased on Portuguese civil law system and customary law;recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increaseduse of free markets
Anguillabased on English common law
AntarcticaAntarctica is administered through meetings of theconsultative member nations; decisions from these meetings arecarried out by these member nations (with respect to their ownnationals and operations) in accordance with their own nationallaws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against USnationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some USlaws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the AntarcticConservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil andcriminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorizedby regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; theintroduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry intospecially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants;and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica;violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of upto $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National ScienceFoundation and Department of Justice share enforcementresponsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic ConservationAct of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US toAntarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805,Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plansto other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for moreinformation, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs,National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone:(703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; moregenerally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areasbetween 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number ofrelevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted bythe states party to the Antarctic Treaty
Antigua and Barbudabased on English common law
Argentinamixture of US and West European legal systems; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Armeniabased on civil law system
Arubabased on Dutch civil law system, with some English common lawinfluence
Ashmore and Cartier Islandsthe laws of the Commonwealth ofAustralia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, whereapplicable, apply
Australiabased on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Austriacivil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review oflegislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separateadministrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Azerbaijanbased on civil law system
Bahamas, Thebased on English common law
Bahrainbased on Islamic law and English common law
Baker Islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Bangladeshbased on English common law
BarbadosEnglish common law; no judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Bassas da Indiathe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Belarusbased on civil law system
Belgiumcivil law system influenced by English constitutionaltheory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
BelizeEnglish law
Beninbased on French civil law and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
BermudaEnglish law
Bhutanbased on Indian law and English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Boliviabased on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bosnia and Herzegovinabased on civil law system
Botswanabased on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicialreview limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Bouvet Islandthe laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Brazilbased on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
British Indian Ocean Territorythe laws of the UK, where applicable,apply
British Virgin IslandsEnglish law
Bruneibased on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a lawsupersedes civil law in a number of areas
Bulgariacivil law and criminal law based on Roman law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Burkina Fasobased on French civil law system and customary law
Burmahas not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Burundibased on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Cambodiaprimarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codesfrom the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influencesof customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasinginfluence of common law in recent years; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Cameroonbased on French civil law system, with common lawinfluence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Canadabased on English common law, except in Quebec, where civillaw system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Cape Verdederived from the legal system of Portugal
Cayman IslandsBritish common law and local statutes
Central African Republicbased on French law
Chadbased on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Chilebased on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequentcodes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul ofits criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system
Chinabased on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continentalcivil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpretstatutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Christmas Islandunder the authority of the governor general ofAustralia and Australian law
Clipperton Islandthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Cocos (Keeling) Islandsbased upon the laws of Australia and locallaws
Colombiabased on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after USprocedures was enacted into law in 2004 and is gradually beingimplemented; judicial review of executive and legislative acts
ComorosFrench and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code
Congo, Democratic Republic of the a new constitution was adopted by referendum 18 December 2005; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Congo, Republic of the based on French civil law system and customary law
Cook Islandsbased on New Zealand law and English common law
Coral Sea Islandsthe laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Costa Ricabased on Spanish civil law system; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Cote d'Ivoirebased on French civil law system and customary law;judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Croatiabased on civil law system
Cubabased on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legalconcepts, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Cyprusbased on common law, with civil law modifications; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Czech Republiccivil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified tobring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation inEurope (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legaltheory
Denmarkcivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Dhekeliathe laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Djiboutibased on French civil law system, traditional practices,and Islamic law
Dominicabased on English common law
Dominican Republicbased on French civil codes; Criminal ProceduresCode modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatorysystem; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
East TimorUN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remainsin place but are to be replaced by civil and penal codes based onPortuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated
Ecuadorbased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Egyptbased on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleoniccodes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State(oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
El Salvadorbased on civil and Roman law with traces of common law;judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
Equatorial Guineapartly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
Eritreaprimary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, withrevisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet beenpromulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enactedlaws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law
Estoniabased on civil law system; no judicial review of legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Ethiopiacurrently transitional mix of national and regional courts
Europa Islandthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)English common law
Faroe IslandsDanish
Fijibased on British system
Finlandcivil law system based on Swedish law; the president mayrequest the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Francecivil law system with indigenous concepts; review ofadministrative but not legislative acts
French Polynesiabased on French system
French Southern and Antarctic Landsthe laws of France, whereapplicable, apply
Gabonbased on French civil law system and customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the SupremeCourt; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Gambia, Thebased on a composite of English common law, Koranic law,and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Georgiabased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Germanycivil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial reviewof legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Ghanabased on English common law and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
GibraltarEnglish law
Glorioso Islandsthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Greecebased on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil,criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
GreenlandDanish
Grenadabased on English common law
Guammodeled on US; US federal laws apply
Guatemalacivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
GuernseyEnglish law and local statutes; justice is administered bythe Royal Court
Guineabased on French civil law system, customary law, and decree;legal codes currently being revised; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Guinea-Bissauaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Guyanabased on English common law with certain admixtures ofRoman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Haitibased on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Heard Island and McDonald Islandsthe laws of Australia, whereapplicable, apply
Holy See (Vatican City)based on Code of Canon Law and revisions toit
Hondurasrooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasinginfluence of English common law; recent judicial reforms includeabandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarialsystem; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Hong Kongbased on English common law
Howland Islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Hungaryrule of law based on Western model; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Icelandcivil law system based on Danish law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Iles Eparsesthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Indiabased on English common law; judicial review of legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations;separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus
Indonesiabased on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified byindigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and electioncodes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Iranthe Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government
Iraqbased on European civil and Islamic law under the frameworkoutlined in the Iraqi Constitution
Irelandbased on English common law, substantially modified byindigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in SupremeCourt; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Isle of ManEnglish common law and Manx statute
Israelmixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations,and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legalsystems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat thatit would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Italybased on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials;judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Jamaicabased on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Jan Mayenthe laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Japanmodeled after European civil law system with English-Americaninfluence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Jarvis Islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
JerseyEnglish law and local statute; justice is administered by theRoyal Court
Johnston Atollthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Jordanbased on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review oflegislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Juan de Nova Islandthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Kazakhstanbased on civil law system
Kenyabased on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law,tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutionalamendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in1991
Kingman Reefthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
KiribatiNA
Korea, Northbased on Prussian civil law system with Japaneseinfluences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Korea, Southcombines elements of continental European civil lawsystems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Kuwaitcivil law system with Islamic law significant in personalmatters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Kyrgyzstanbased on civil law system
Laosbased on traditional customs, French legal norms andprocedures, and socialist practice
Latviabased on civil law system
Lebanonmixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, andcivil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Lesothobased on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicialreview of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Liberiadual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American commonlaw for the modern sector and customary law based on unwrittentribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Libyabased on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separatereligious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Liechtensteinlocal civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Lithuaniabased on civil law system; legislative acts can beappealed to the constitutional court
Luxembourgbased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Macaubased on Portuguese civil law system
Macedoniabased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts
Madagascarbased on French civil law system and traditional Malagasylaw; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Malawibased on English common law and customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Malaysiabased on English common law; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of thefederation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; Islamiclaw is applied to Muslims in matters of family law and religion
Maldivesbased on Islamic law with admixtures of English common lawprimarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Malibased on French civil law system and customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which wasformally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Maltabased on English common law and Roman civil law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Marshall Islandsbased on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of thelegislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Mauritaniaa combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civillaw
Mauritiusbased on French civil law system with elements of Englishcommon law in certain areas; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
MayotteFrench law
Mexicomixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system;judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Micronesia, Federated States of based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Midway Islandsthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Moldovabased on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviewslegality of legislative acts and governmental decisions ofresolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security andCooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents
Monacobased on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Mongoliablend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine"continental" or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitutionambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Montenegrobased on civil law system
MontserratEnglish common law and statutory law
Moroccobased on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil lawsystem; judicial review of legislative acts in ConstitutionalChamber of Supreme Court
Mozambiquebased on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Namibiabased on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Nauruacts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Navassa Islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Nepalbased on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Netherlandscivil law system incorporating French penal theory;constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the StatesGeneral; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Netherlands Antillesbased on Dutch civil law system with someEnglish common law influence
New Caledoniathe 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomyto the islands; formerly under French law
New Zealandbased on English law, with special land legislation andland courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Nicaraguacivil law system; Supreme Court may review administrativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Nigerbased on French civil law system and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Nigeriabased on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (in 12northern states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
NiueEnglish common law; note - Niue is self-governing, with thepower to make its own laws
Norfolk Islandbased on the laws of Australia, local ordinances andacts; English common law applies in matters not covered by eitherAustralian or Norfolk Island law
Northern Mariana Islandsbased on US system, except for customs,wages, immigration laws, and taxation
Norwaymixture of customary law, civil law system, and common lawtraditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislaturewhen asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Omanbased on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal tothe monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Pakistanbased on English common law with provisions to accommodatePakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Palaubased on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,municipal, common, and customary laws
Palmyra Atollthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Panamabased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Papua New Guineabased on English common law
Paraguaybased on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes;judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Perubased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Philippinesbased on Spanish and Anglo-American law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Pitcairn Islandslocal island by-laws
Polandmixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdoverCommunist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as partof broader democratization process; limited judicial review oflegislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal arefinal; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court ofJustice in Strasbourg; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations
Portugalcivil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews theconstitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Puerto Ricobased on Spanish civil code and within the US Federalsystem of justice
Qatardiscretionary system of law controlled by the amir, althoughcivil codes are being implemented; Shari'a law dominates family andpersonal matters
Romaniaformer mixture of civil law system and communist legaltheory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic
Russiabased on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Rwandabased on German and Belgian civil law systems and customarylaw; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Saint HelenaBritish common law and statutes, supplemented by localstatutes
Saint Kitts and Nevisbased on English common law
Saint Luciabased on English common law
Saint Pierre and MiquelonFrench law with special adaptations forlocal conditions, such as housing and taxation
Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesbased on English common law
Samoabased on English common law and local customs; judicial reviewof legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of thecitizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
San Marinobased on civil law system with Italian law influences;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Sao Tome and Principebased on Portuguese legal system and customarylaw; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Saudi Arabiabased on Shari'a law, several secular codes have beenintroduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Senegalbased on French civil law system; judicial review oflegislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of Stateaudits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Serbiabased on civil law system
Seychellesbased on English common law, French civil law, andcustomary law
Sierra Leonebased on English law and customary laws indigenous tolocal tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Singaporebased on English common law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Slovakiacivil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; legal code modifiedto comply with the obligations of Organization on Security andCooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legaltheory
Sloveniabased on civil law system
Solomon IslandsEnglish common law, which is widely disregarded
Somaliano national system; Shari'a (Islamic) and secular courtsbased on Somali customary law (xeer) are present in some localities;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
South Africabased on Roman-Dutch law and English common law
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islandsthe laws of the UK,where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the FalklandIslands presides over the Magistrates Court
Spaincivil law system, with regional applications; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Sri Lankaa highly complex mixture of English common law,Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Sudanbased on English common law and Shari'a law; as of 20 January1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Shari'alaw in the northern states; Shari'a law applies to all residents ofthe northern states regardless of their religion; some separatereligious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservations; the southern legal system is still developing underthe CPA following the civil war; Shari'a law will not apply to thesouthern states
Surinamebased on Dutch legal system incorporating French penaltheory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
SvalbardNA
Swazilandbased on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courtsand Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Swedencivil law system influenced by customary law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Switzerlandcivil law system influenced by customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decreesof general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservations
Syriabased on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law;religious law is used in the family court system; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Taiwanbased on civil law system
Tajikistanbased on civil law system; no judicial review oflegislative acts
Tanzaniabased on English common law; judicial review of legislativeacts limited to matters of interpretation; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Thailandbased on civil law system, with influences of common law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
TogoFrench-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
TokelauNew Zealand and local statutes
Tongabased on English law
Trinidad and Tobagobased on English common law; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Tromelin Islandthe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Tunisiabased on French civil law system and Shari'a law; somejudicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in jointsession
Turkeycivil law system derived from various European continentallegal systems; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights(ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratifiedEuropean Convention on Human Rights
Turkmenistanbased on civil law system
Turks and Caicos Islandsbased on laws of England and Wales, with afew adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
TuvaluNA
Ugandain 1995, the government restored the legal system to onebased on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Ukrainebased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts
United Arab Emiratesfederal court system introduced in 1971;applies to all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah,which are not fully integrated into the federal judicial system; allemirates have secular courts to adjudicate criminal, civil, andcommercial matters and Islamic courts to review family and religiousdisputes
United Kingdomcommon law tradition with early Roman and moderncontinental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts ofParliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
United Statesfederal court system based on English common law; eachstate has its own unique legal system, of which all but one(Louisiana's) is based on English common law; judicial review oflegislative acts
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesthe laws of the US,where applicable, apply
Uruguaybased on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Uzbekistanevolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independentjudicial system
Vanuatuunified system being created from former dual French andBritish systems
Venezuelaopen, adversarial court system
Vietnambased on communist legal theory and French civil law system
Virgin Islandsbased on US laws
Wake Islandthe laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Wallis and FutunaFrench legal system
Worldall members of the UN are parties to the statute thatestablished the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court
Yemenbased on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, andlocal tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Zambiabased on English common law and customary law; judicialreview of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Zimbabwemixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law
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@2101 Legislative branch
Afghanistanthe bicameral National Assembly consists of the WolesiJirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly electedfor five-year terms, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-yearterms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-yeartermsnote: on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga(Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, andterritorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of theconstitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of membersof the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial anddistrict councilselections: last held 18 September 2005 (next to be held for theWolesi Jirga by September 2009; next to be held for the provincialcouncils to the Meshrano Jirga by September 2008)election results: the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) systemused in the election did not make use of political party slates;most candidates ran as independents
Albaniaunicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; 100 are electedby direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-yearterms)elections: last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held in 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD56, PS 42, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 19
Algeriabicameral Parliament consisting of the National People'sAssembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - formerly 380seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) andthe Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats; one-third of the membersappointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote;members serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half thecouncil to be renewed every three years)elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (nextto be held in 2007); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 30December 2003 (next to be held in 2006)election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 47, Islah 43, MSP 38, PT21, FNA 8, EnNahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 30; Council ofNations - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party NA
American Samoabicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists ofthe House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected bypopular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from SwainsIsland; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats;members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2006(next to be held November 2008); Senate - last held 2 November 2004(next to be held November 2008)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party -NA; seats by party - independents 18note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the USHouse of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (nextto be held November 2008); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA(Democrat) reelected as delegate
Andorraunicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell Generalde las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote,14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each ofthe seven parishes; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%,CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2
Angolaunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September2008)election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,other 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD3, other 7
Anguillaunicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected bydirect popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; membersserve five-year terms)elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010)election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%,AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA2, AUM 1
Antigua and Barbudabicameral Parliament consists of the Senate(17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House ofRepresentatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportionalrepresentation to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (nextto be held in 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -ALP 4, UPP 13
Argentinabicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consistsof the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote;presently one-third of the members elected every two years to asix-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members areelected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every twoyears to a four-year term)elections: Senate - last held 23 October 2005 (next to be held in2007); Chamber of Deputies - last held last held 23 October 2005(next to be held in 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - FV45.1%, FJ 17.2%, UCR 7.5%, other 30.2%; seats by bloc or party - FV14, FJ 3, UCR 2, other 5; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote bybloc or party - FV 29.9%, UCR 8.9%, ARI 7.2%, PJ 6.7%, PRO 6.2%, FJ3.9%, other 37.2%; seats by bloc or party - FV 50, UCR 10, ARI 8, PJ9, PRO 9, FJ 7, other 34
Armeniaunicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov(131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms; 90 members elected by party list, 41 by direct vote)elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of2007)election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%,Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, NationalUnity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by faction -Republican Party 39, Rule of Law 20, Justice Bloc 14, ARF (Dashnak)11, National Unity 7, United Labor 6, People's Deputy Group 16,independent (not in faction or group) 18; note - as of 10 March2006; voting blocs in the legislature are more properly termedfactions and can be composed of members of several parties; seats byfaction change frequently as deputies switch parties or announcethemselves independent
Arubaunicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected bydirect, popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by in 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8,MPA 1, RED 1
Australiabicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76seats - 12 from each of the six states and 2 from each of the twomainland territories; one-half of state members are elected everythree years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while allterritory members are elected every three years) and the House ofRepresentatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferentialvoting to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewerthan 5 representatives)elections: Senate - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held nolater than June 2008); House of Representatives - last held 9October 2004 (next to be called no later than November 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 39, Australian LaborParty 28, Democrats 4, Australian Greens 4, Family First Party 1;House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 87, Australian LaborParty 60, independents 3
Austriabicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists ofFederal Council or Bundesrat (62 members; members chosen by stateparliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 members according toits population; members serve a five- or six-year term) and theNational Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected bydirect popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: National Council - last held 1 October 2006 (nextscheduled for the fall of 2010)election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe35.3%, OeVP 34.3%, Greens 11.1%, FPOe 11.0%, BZOe 4.1%; seats byparty - SPOe 68, OeVP 66, Greens 21, FPOe 21, BZOe 7
Azerbaijanunicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November2010)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, YES 2, Motherland 2, otherparties with single seats 7, independents 42, undetermined 4
Bahamas, Thebicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-memberbody appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the primeminister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and theHouse of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular voteto serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve theParliament and call elections at any timeelections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%,independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4
Bahrainbicameral legislature consists of Shura Council (40 membersappointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directlyelected to serve four-year terms)elections: House of Deputies - last held November-December 2006(next election to be held NA)election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - Sunni Islamists 18, Al Wifaq (Shia) 17, othergroupings and independents 5note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral NationalAssembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter createdbicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14February 2001; first legislative term held from December 2002 toDecember 2006
Bangladeshunicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies(the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over andabove the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); membersserve five-year termselections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held no later thanJanuary 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliancepartners 41%, AL 40%; seats by party - BNP 193, AL 58, JI 17, JP(Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Manzur) 4, other 12; note - theelection of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government alignedwith three other smaller parties - JI, IOJ, and Jatiya Party (Manzur)
Barbadosbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member bodyappointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-yearterms)elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to beheld by May 2008)election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7
Belarusbicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranieconsists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 membersappointed by the president, all for four-year terms) and the Chamberof Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; memberselected by universal adult suffrage to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 17 and 31 October 2004; international observerswidely denounced the elections as flawed and undemocratic, based onmassive government falsification; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates wonevery seat, after many opposition candidates were disqualified fortechnical reasonselection results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party - NA
Belgiumbicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat inDutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected bypopular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-yearterms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer vanVolksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants inFrench (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote onthe basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003(next to be held 10 June 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5,VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly electedsenators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8, Ecolo 4, other 2note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthereddevolution into a federal state, there are now three levels ofgovernment (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with acomplex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves sixgovernments each with its own legislative assembly
Belizebicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of theprime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches andEvangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerceand Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the NationalTrade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee;members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popularvote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (nextto be held March 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -PUP 21, UDP 8
Beninunicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held 25 March 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, Alliance MDC-PC-CPP, IPD,AFP, MDS, RDP) 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other smallparties) 31
Bermudabicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-memberbody appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) andthe House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular voteto serve up to five-year terms)elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be heldnot later than July 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%;seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Bhutanunicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies,and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government andother secular interests; members serve three-year terms)elections: local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in2008)election results: NA
Boliviabicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists ofChamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members areelected by proportional representation from party lists to servefive-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130seats; 70 are directly elected from their districts and 60 areelected by proportional representation from party lists to servefive-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held18 December 2005 (next to be held in 2010)election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - PODEMOS 13, MAS 12, UN 1, MNR 1; Chamber ofDeputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MAS 73,PODEMOS 43, UN 8, MNR 6
Bosnia and Herzegovinabicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstinaconsists of the national House of Representatives or PredstavnickiDom (42 seats - elected by proportional representation, 28 seatsallocated from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seatsfrom the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms); and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats -5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/CroatFederation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska'sNational Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia'selection law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-orderadministrative division entity legislatureselections: national House of Representatives - elections last held 1October 2006 (next to be held in 2010); House of Peoples - lastconstituted in January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007)election results: national House of Representatives - percent ofvote by party/coalition - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 9,SBiH 8, SNSD 7, SDP 5, SDS 3, HDZ-BH 3, HDZ 1990 2, other 5; Houseof Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats byparty/coalition - NAnote: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature thatconsists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 1October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010); percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party/coalition - SDA 28, SBiH 24, SDP 17,HDZ-BH 8, HDZ100 7, other 14; and a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17Bosniak, 17 Croat, 1i7 Serb, 7 other); last constituted December2002; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly (83 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); electionslast held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in the fall of 2010);percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party/coalition - SNSD 41,SDS 17, PDP 8, DNS 4, SBH 4, SPRS 3, SDA 3, other 3; as a result ofthe 2002 constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika SrpskaCouncil of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika SrpskaNational Assembly including eight Croats, eight Bosniaks, eightSerbs, and four members of the smaller communities
Botswanabicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (alargely advisory 15-member body with 8 permanent members consistingof the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent membersserving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly(63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 areappointed by the majority party, and 2, the President andAttorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members servefive-year terms)elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004(next to be held October 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 51.7%, BNF 26.1%,BCP 16.6%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1
Brazilbicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists ofthe Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from eachstate and federal district elected according to the principle ofmajority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after afour-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-yearperiod) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513seats; members are elected by proportional representation to servefour-year terms)elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-thirdof the Senate (next to be held October 2010 for two-thirds of theSenate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to beheld October 2010)election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%;seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1,PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; total seats following election -PFL 18, PMDB 15, PSDB 15, PT 10, PDT 5, PTB 4, PSB 3, PL 3, PCdoB 2,PRB 2, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent ofvote by party - NA%; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13,PSC 9, other 17
British Virgin Islandsunicameral Legislative Council (13 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each ofnine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members servefour-year terms)elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held in 2007)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -NDP 8, VIP 5