Legal System of Burma

Burma is located in East N Southeast Asia. It is geographically situated in southeastern asia, bordering the andaman sea and the bay of bengal, between bangladesh and thailand. The country achieved independence on 4 january 1948 (from the uk). The capital is Rangoon (aka Yangon, continues to be recognized as the primary Burmese capital by the US Government); Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital.

Government Overview

Government Type: military regime Chief of State: Acting President Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 31 July 2025) Head of Government: Prime Minister NYO SAW (since 31 July 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief Administrative Divisions: 7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory

regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)

states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan

union territory: Nay Pyi Taw National Holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Burma is described as mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008 Amendment Process: proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval; military granted 25% of parliamentary seats by default

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges) Judge Selection: chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 Subordinate Courts: High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note: note: on 1 February 2021, the Burmese military claimed the results of the 2020 general election were illegitimate and launched a coup led by Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING; the military subsequently dissolved the Assembly of the Union and replaced it with the military-led State Administration Council

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: both parents must be citizens of Burma Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Burma is home to ethnic Burmans and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history. Britain conquered Burma over a period extending from the 1820s to the 1880s and administered it as a province of India until 1937, when Burma became a self-governing colony.  Burma gained full independence in 1948.

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