Legal System of Chad

Chad is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in central africa, south of libya. The country achieved independence on 11 august 1960 (from france). The capital is N’Djamena.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Mahamat Idriss DÉBY (since 6 May 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Allamaye HALINA (since 23 May 2024) Cabinet: Council of Ministers Administrative Divisions: 23 provinces; Barh-El-Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi-Est, Mayo-Kebbi-Ouest, Moyen-Chari, N’Djamena, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Wadi-Fira National Holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Chad is described as mixed system of civil and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted by National Transitional Council 27 June 2023, approved by referendum 17 December, verified by Chad Supreme Court 28 December, promulgated 1 January 2024 Amendment Process: previous process: proposed as a revision by the president of the republic after a Council of Ministers (cabinet) decision or by the National Assembly; approval for consideration of a revision requires at least three-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires approval by referendum or at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 3 chamber presidents, and 12 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Supreme Council of the Judiciary (consists of the Judiciary president, vice president and 13 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Supreme Council of the Judiciary - with the exception of the Judiciary president and vice president, members are elected for single renewable 4-year terms Subordinate Courts: High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: National Assembly (National Assembly) (188 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): mixed system Upper Chamber: Senate (Senate)

Citizenship and Suffrage

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

Historical Background

Chad emerged from a collection of powerful states that controlled the Sahelian belt starting around the 9th century. These states focused on controlling trans-Saharan trade routes and profited mostly from the slave trade.

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