Legal System of Benin

Benin is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in western africa, bordering the bight of benin, between nigeria and togo. The country achieved independence on 1 august 1960 (from france). The capital is Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government).

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) Head of Government: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou National Holiday: Independence Day, 1 August (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Benin is described as civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1946, 1958 (pre-independence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 Amendment Process: proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members, including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president)  Judge Selection: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic on the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d’Appel; Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorism Infractions (CRIET) or Cour de Répression des Infractions Economiques et du Terrorisme; district courts; village courts; Assize courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: seat total includes 24 seats reserved for women

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Present-day Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century; the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from Mali in the 16th century; the Bariba and the Fula in the northeast; the Ottamari in the Atakora mountains; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the south-central area; and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja, who came from Togo, on the coast.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Benin based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.