Legal system
Afghanistanbased on mixed civil and sharia law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Akrotirithe Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own courtsystem to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable tothe Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the lawsof the Republic of Cyprus
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;modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use offree markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Anguillabased on English common law
AntarcticaAntarctica is administered through annual meetings -known as Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings - which includeconsultative member nations, non-consultative member nations,observer organizations, and expert organizations; decisions fromthese meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respectto their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their ownnational laws; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area,that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, issubject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorizationprocedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note- 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 authorized byregulation 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 its website at www.nsf.gov
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; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
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; accepts International Criminal Courtjurisdiction with conditions
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; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Bahamas, Thebased on English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bahrainbased on Islamic law and English common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bangladeshbased on English common law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
BarbadosEnglish common law; no judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Belarusbased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Belgiumbased on civil law system influenced by Englishconstitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
BelizeEnglish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; the 2009 Constitution incorporatesindigenous community justice into Bolivia's judicial system
Bosnia and Herzegovinabased on civil law system; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 applicableapply
British Virgin IslandsEnglish law
Bruneibased on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic sharia lawsupersedes civil law concerning Muslim marriages and inheritance;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Bulgariacivil and criminal law based on Roman law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Burkina Fasobased on French civil law system and customary law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Burmabased on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
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; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction withreservations
Cameroonbased on French civil law system with common law influence;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 Verdebased on the legal system of Portugal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Cayman IslandsBritish common law and local statutes
Central African Republicbased on French law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 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;party organs exercise authority over judiciary; has not acceptedcompulsory 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 reached fullimplementation in January 2008; judicial review of executive andlegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
ComorosFrench and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Congo, Democratic Republic of the civil law based on Belgian law with Napoleonic Civil Code influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Congo, Republic of the based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; accepts 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 Austro-Hungarian law system with Communist lawinfluences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Cubabased on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legalconcepts with large elements of Communist legal theory; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Curacaobased on Dutch civil law system with some English common lawinfluence
Cyprusbased on English common law with civil law modifications;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Czech Republiccivil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes;legal code modified to bring it in line with European Unionobligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Denmarkcivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Dhekeliathe Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own courtsystem to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable tothe Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the lawsof the Republic of Cyprus
Djiboutibased on French civil law system, traditional practices,and Islamic law; accepts ICJ compulsory jurisdiction withreservations
Dominicabased on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Dominican Republicbased on French civil codes; Criminal ProceduresCode modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatorysystem; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Ecuadorbased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Egyptbased on Islamic and civil law (particularly 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; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Equatorial Guineapartly based on Spanish civil law and tribalcustom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Eritreaprimary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957 withrevisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet beenpromulgated; government also issues unilateral proclamations settinglaws and policies; also relies on customary andpost-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involvingMuslims, Islamic law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Estoniabased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction with reservations
Ethiopiabased on civil law; currently transitional mix of nationaland regional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
European Unioncomparable to the legal systems of member states;first supranational law system
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)English common law
Faroe Islandsthe laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Fijibased on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
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; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
French Polynesiathe laws of France where applicable apply
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, Islamic 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; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Ghanabased on English common law and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Gibraltarthe laws of the UK where applicable apply
Greecebased on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil,criminal, and administrative courts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction with reservations
Greenlandthe laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Grenadabased on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Guammodeled on US; US federal laws apply
Guatemalacivil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Guernseythe laws of the UK where applicable apply; justice isadministered by the Royal Court
Guineabased on French civil law system, customary law, and decree;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Guinea-Bissaubased on French civil law; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
Hungarybased on the German-Austrian legal system; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Icelandcivil law system based on Danish law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Indiabased on English common law; judicial review of legislativeacts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations;separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus, and Muslims
Indonesiabased on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified byindigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and electioncodes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Iranbased on sharia law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Iraqbased on European civil and Islamic law under the frameworkoutlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Irelandbased on English common law substantially modified byindigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in SupremeCourt; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Isle of Manthe laws of the UK where applicable apply and Manxstatutes
Israelmixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations,and in personal matters Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems;has not accepted 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 systems with English-Americaninfluence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Jerseythe laws of the UK where applicable apply and local statutes;justice is administered by the Royal Court
Jordanbased on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review oflegislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Kazakhstanbased on Islamic law and Roman law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
KiribatiEnglish common law supplemented by local, customary law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Kosovoevolving legal system based on terms of former UN SpecialEnvoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Kuwaitcivil law system with Islamic law significant in personalmatters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Kyrgyzstanbased on French and Russian laws; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Laosbased on traditional customs, French legal norms andprocedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Latviabased on civil law system with traces of Socialist legaltraditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Lebanonmixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, andcivil law; the constitutional court reviews laws only after theyhave been passed; has not accepted compulsory 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 and French civil law systems and Islamic law;separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicialreview of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Liechtensteinlocal civil and penal codes based on civil law system;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Lithuaniabased on civil law system; legislative acts can beappealed to the constitutional court; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Luxembourgbased on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Macaubased on Portuguese civil law system
Macedoniabased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; Islamic law is applied to Muslims in matters of familylaw and religion; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ 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; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Mauritaniaa combination of Islamic law and French civil law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Mauritiusbased on French civil law system with elements of Englishcommon law in certain areas; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionwith reservations
Mayottethe laws of France where applicable apply
Mexicomixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system;judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction with reservations
Micronesia, Federated States ofbased on adapted Trust Territorylaws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customarylaws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Monacobased on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Mongoliablend of Soviet and German systems that employ"continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to informjudges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written;constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Montenegrobased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
MontserratEnglish common law and statutory law
Moroccobased on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil lawsystems; judicial review of legislative acts in ConstitutionalChamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Mozambiquebased on Portuguese civil law system and customary law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Namibiabased on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Nauruacts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Navassa Islandthe laws of the US where applicable apply
Nepalbased on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Netherlandsbased on civil law system incorporating French penaltheory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of theStates General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
New Caledoniabased on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accordsgrant substantial autonomy to the islands
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 with reservations
Nigerbased on French civil law system and customary law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Nigeriabased on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northernstates), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionwith reservations
NiueEnglish common law; note - Niue is self-governing with thepower to make its 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; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
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; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 jurisdictionwith reservations
Philippinesbased on Spanish and Anglo-American law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Pitcairn Islandslocal island by-laws
Polandbased on a mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law andholdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introducedas part of broader democratization process; limited judicial reviewof legislative 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
Portugalbased on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunalreviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction with reservations
Puerto Ricobased on Spanish civil code and within the US Federalsystem of justice
Qatarbased on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system oflaw controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are beingimplemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Romaniabased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Russiabased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 Barthelemythe laws of France, where applicable, apply
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaEnglish common law andstatutes supplemented by local statutes
Saint Kitts and Nevisbased on English common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Saint Luciabased on English common law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Saint Martinthe laws of France where applicable apply
Saint Pierre and Miquelonthe laws of France where applicable apply
Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesbased on English common law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 sharia 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; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction with reservations; note - Serbia is working to reformits justice sector and harmonize its judicial systems with EUstandards
Seychellesbased on English common law, French civil law, andcustomary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
Sint Maartenbased on Dutch civil law system with some Englishcommon law influence
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; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Solomon IslandsEnglish common law, which is widely disregarded; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Somaliano national system; a mixture of English common law, Italianlaw, Islamic sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction with reservations
South Africabased on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsthe laws of the UK whereapplicable apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islandspresides 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, Kandyan, and Jaffna Tamil law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Sudanbased on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamiclaw in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents ofthe northern states regardless of their religion; however, the CPAestablishes some protections for non-Muslims in Khartoum; someseparate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction withreservations; the southern legal system is still developing underthe CPA following the civil war; Islamic law will not apply to thesouthern states
Surinamebased on Dutch legal system incorporating French penaltheory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Svalbardthe laws of Norway where applicable apply
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 ICJ jurisdictionwith reservations
Syriabased on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law;Islamic law is used in the family court system; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Taiwanbased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Tajikistanbased on civil law system; no judicial review oflegislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
Timor-LesteOn 29 March 2009 the president promulgated theTimor-Leste penal code; UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesianlaw remains in place for civil codes but is to be replaced by civilcodes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not beenpromulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
TogoFrench-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionwith reservations
TokelauNew Zealand and local statutes
Tongabased on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Trinidad and Tobagobased on English common law; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Tunisiabased on French civil law system and Islamic law; somejudicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in jointsession; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Turkmenistantransitioning to civil law system and influenced byIslamic law tradition; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Turks and Caicos Islandsbased on laws of England and Wales with afew adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
TuvaluEnglish common law supplemented by local customary law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Ugandabased on English common law and customary law; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Ukrainebased on civil law system; judicial review of legislativeacts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
United Arab Emiratesbased on a dual system of sharia and civilcourts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
United Kingdombased on common law tradition with early Roman andmodern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review ofActs of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; acceptscompulsory ICJ 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, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) isbased on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesthe laws of the USwhere applicable apply
Uruguaybased on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Uzbekistanbased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Vanuatuunified system being created from former dual French andBritish systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Venezuelaopen, adversarial court system; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Vietnambased on communist legal theory and French civil law system;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Virgin Islandsbased on US laws
Wake Islandthe laws of the US where applicable apply
Wallis and Futunathe laws of France where applicable apply
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; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
======================================================================
@2101
Field Listing :: Legislative branch
This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of the election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election. Country
Legislative branch
Afghanistanthe bicameral National Assembly consists of the MeshranoJirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third of members electedfrom provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected fromlocal district councils for three-year terms, and one-thirdnominated by the president for five-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirgaor House of People (no more than 250 seats); members directlyelected for five-year termsnote: 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 on 18 September 2010 (next election expected in2015)election results: NA
Albaniaunicameral National Assembly or Kuvendi (140 deputies; 100deputies elected directly in single member electoral zones with anapproximate number of voters; 40 deputies elected from multi-namelists of parties or party coalitions according to their respectiveorder)elections: last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PD68, PS 65, LSI 4, other 3
Algeriabicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Nation(upper house; 144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by thepresident, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-yearterms; the constitution requires half the Council to be renewedevery three years) and the National People's Assembly (lower house;389 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: Council of the Nation - last held on 29 December 2009(next to be held in December 2012); National People's Assembly -last held on 17 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012)election results: Council of the Nation - percent of vote by party -NA; seats by party - NA; National People's Assembly - percent ofvote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 136, RND 61, MSP 52, PT 26,RCD 19, FNA 13, other 49, independents 33;
American Samoabicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists ofthe Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to servefour-year terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvotingdelegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008(next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held on 4 November2008 (next to be held in November 2012)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 on 2 November 2010(next to be held in November 2012); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGAreelected 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; to serve four-year terms)elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held inMarch-April 2013)election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45%, ReformistCoaliton 32%, Andorra for Change 19%, Andorran Green 4%; seats byparty - PS 14, Reformist Coalition 11, Andorra for Change 3
Angolaunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held on 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held inSeptember 2012)election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party -MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
Anguillaunicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members electedby direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed;members serve five-year terms)elections: last held on 15 February 2010 (next to be held in 2015)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -AUM 4, AUF 2, APP 1
Antigua and Barbudabicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17seats; members 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 on 12 March 2009(next to be held in 2014)election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%,BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1
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 servesix-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members areelected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every twoyears to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held on 28 June 2009 (next to be held in2011); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 28 June 2009 (next to beheld in 2011)election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA;seats by bloc or party - FpV 8, ACyS 14, PJ disidente 2; Chamber ofDeputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc orparty - FpV 45, ACyS 42, PRO 20, PJ disidente 12, other 8; note - asof 13 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is asfollows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 36, ACyS 23, PJdisidente 9, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by bloc or party -FpV 113, ACyS 77, PRO 26, PJ disidente 17, other 24
Armeniaunicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov(131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected byparty list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms)elections: last held on 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the springof 2012)election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, ProsperousArmenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF(Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17
Arubaunicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected bydirect popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1
Australiabicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of thetwo mainland territories; one-half of state members are electedevery three 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 vote to serveterms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5representatives)elections: half-Senate - last held on 21 August 2010; House ofRepresentatives - last held on 21 August 2010 (the latest asimultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections canbe held is 2014)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty - Liberal/National Party 34, Australian Labor Party 31, Greens9, others 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -Australian Labor Party 38.1%, Liberal Party 30.4%, Greens 11.5%,Liberal National Party of Queensland 9.3%, independents 6.6%, TheNationals 3.7%, Country Liberals 0.3%; seats by party - AustralianLabor Party 72, Liberal Party 44, Liberal National Party ofQueensland 21, The Nationals 7, Country Liberals 1, Greens 1,independents 4
Austriabicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists ofFederal Council or Bundesrat (62 seats; delegates appointed by stateparliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 seats in proportion toits population; members serve five- or six-year terms) and theNational Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected bypopular vote for a five-year term under a system of proportionalrepresentation with partially-open party lists)elections: National Council - last held on 28 September 2008 (nextto be held by September 2013)election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SPOe29.3%, OeVP 26%, FPOe 17.5%, BZOe 10.7%, Greens 10.4%, other 6.1%;seats by party - SPOe 57, OeVP 51, FPOe 34, BZOe 21, Greens 20
Azerbaijanunicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held on 7 November 2010 (next to be held in November2015)election results: percent of vote by party - YAP 45.8%, CSP 1.6%,Motherland 1.4%, independents 48.2%, other 3.1%; seats by party -YAP 71, CSP 3, Motherland 2, Democratic Reforms 1, Great Creation 1,Hope Party 1, Social Welfare 1, Civil Unity 1, Whole AzerbaijanPopular Front 1, Justice 1, independents 42
Bahamas, Thebicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats;members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of theprime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms)and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by directpopular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolvethe parliament and call elections at any timeelections: last held on 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012)election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%;seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18
Bahrainbicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council(40 members appointed by the King) and the Council ofRepresentatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directlyelected to serve four-year terms)elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014)election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote bysociety - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 18, al Asala (SunniSalafi) 3, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17
Bangladeshunicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300seats elected by popular vote from single territorialconstituencies; members serve five-year termselections: last held on 29 December 2008 (next to be held in 2013)election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27,JIB 2, other 11
Barbadosbicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats;members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of thePrime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 athis discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members areelected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Assembly - last held on 15 January 2008 (next tobe called in 2012)election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10
Belarusbicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobraniyeconsists of the Council of the Republic or Sovet Respubliki (64seats; 56 members elected by regional and Minsk city councils and 8members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) andthe Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held on 28 September 2008(next to be held in the spring of 2012); international observersdetermined that despite minor improvements the election ultimatelyfell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates wonevery seatelection results: Sovet 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 directly elected bypopular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms)and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers inDutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; membersdirectly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportionalrepresentation to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS13.6%, CD&V 10%, sp.a 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%; seats by party - N-VA 9, PS7, CD&V 4, sp.a 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1;Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, sp.a 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party1.3%, other 4.8%; seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18,sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker1, the Popular Party 1note: 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 (12 seats;members 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; toserve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6 February 2008(next to be held in 2013)election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%;seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6
Beninunicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held on 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18
Bermudabicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats;members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition)and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve up to five-year terms)elections: last general election held on 18 December 2007 (next tobe held not later than 2012)election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%;seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
Bhutanbicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan NationalCouncil (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoraldistricts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominatedby the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members electedby direct, popular vote for five-year terms)elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); NationalAssembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held byMarch 2013)election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percentof vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2
Boliviabicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly or AsambleaLegislativa Plurinacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camarade Senadores (36 seats; members are elected by proportionalrepresentation from party lists to serve five-year terms) andChamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats total; 70uninominal deputies directly elected from a single district, 7"special" indigenous deputies directly elected from non-contiguousindigenous districts, and 53 plurinominal deputies elected byproportional representation from party lists; all deputies servefive-year terms)elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last heldon 6 December 2009 (next to be held in 2014)election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -NA; seats by party - MAS 26, PPB-CN 10; Chamber of Deputies -percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 89, PPB-CN 36,UN 3, AS 2
Bosnia and Herzegovinabicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstinaconsists of the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats, 5 Bosniak,5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation'sHouse of Peoples and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly toserve four-year terms); and the state-level House of Representativesor Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats, 28 seats allocated for theFederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats for the RepublikaSrpska; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportionalrepresentation to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's electionlaw specifies four-year terms for the state and first-orderadministrative division entity legislatureselections: House of Peoples - last constituted in February 2007(next to be constituted in 2011); state-level House ofRepresentatives - elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to beheld in October 2014)election results: House of Peoples - percent of vote byparty/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - NA; state-levelHouse of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA;seats by party/coalition - SDP BiH 8, SDA 7, SNSD 7, SDS 5, SBBBiH4, HDZ-BiH 3, SBiH 2, HDZ-1990/HSP 2, other 4note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature thatconsists of a House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17Serb, 7 other); last constituted February 2007; and a House ofRepresentatives (98 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms); elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to beheld in October 2014); percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty/coalition - SDP 28, SDA 23, SBBBiH 13, HDZ-BiH 12,HDZ-1990/HSP 5, other 17; the Republika Srpska has a NationalAssembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms); elections last held on 3 October 2010 (next to beheld in October 2014); percent of vote by party - NA; seats byparty/coalition - SNSD 37, SDS 18, PDP 7, DNS 6, SP 4, DP 3, SDP 3,SDA 2, NDS 2 SRS-RS 1; as a result of the 2002 constitutional reformprocess, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council of Peoples (COP) wasestablished in the Republika Srpska National Assembly including 8Croats, 8 Bosniaks, 8 Serbs, and 4 members of the smaller communities