Legal System of Iraq

Iraq is located in Middle East. It is geographically situated in middle east, bordering the persian gulf, between iran and kuwait. The country achieved independence on 3 october 1932 (from league of nations mandate under british administration). The capital is Baghdad.

Government Overview

Government Type: federal parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Latif RASHID (since 13 October 2022) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI (since 27 October 2022) Cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, approved by Council of Representatives (COR) Administrative Divisions: 19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)); ‘Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Halabjah; Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala’; Kirkuk; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit National Holiday: Independence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Iraq is described as mixed system of civil and Islamic law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 15 October 2005 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic and the Council of Minsters collectively, or by one fifth of the Council of Representatives members; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Council of Representatives, approval by referendum, and ratification by the president; passage of amendments to articles on citizen rights and liberties requires two-thirds majority vote of Council of Representatives members after two successive electoral terms, approval in a referendum, and ratification by the president

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice presidents, and at least 24 judges) Judge Selection: Federal Supreme Court (FSC) judges nominated by the High Judicial Council (HJC) president, the FSC chief justice, the public prosecutor’s office chief, and the head of the Judicial Oversight Commission; FSC members required to retire at age 72; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the HJC and confirmed by the Council of Representatives to serve until retirement, nominally at age 63, but can be extended to age 66 Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal (governorate level); civil courts, including first instance, personal status, labor, and customs; criminal courts including felony, misdemeanor, investigative, major crimes, juvenile, and traffic courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

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

Historical Background

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a republic in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Hussein, from 1979 to 2003.

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