Legal System of Lebanon

Lebanon is located in Middle East. It is geographically situated in middle east, bordering the mediterranean sea, between israel and syria. The country achieved independence on 22 november 1943 (from league of nations mandate under french administration). The capital is Beirut.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary democratic republic Chief of State: President Joseph AOUN (since 9 January 2025) Head of Government: Prime Minister Nawaf SALAM (since 8 February 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and the National Assembly Administrative Divisions: 8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye National Holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Suffrage: 21 years of age; authorized for all men and women regardless of religion; excludes persons convicted of felonies and other crimes or those imprisoned; excludes all military and security service personnel regardless of rank

Legal System

The legal system of Lebanon is described as mixed system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the National Assembly or proposed by at least 10 members of the Assembly and agreed upon by two thirds of its members; if proposed by the National Assembly, review and approval by two-thirds majority of the Cabinet is required; if approved, the proposal is next submitted to the Cabinet for drafting as an amendment; Cabinet approval requires at least two-thirds majority, followed by submission to the National Assembly for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 8 chambers, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members) Judge Selection: Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note 1: Lebanon’s constitution states that the Parliament cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant 

note 2: seats are apportioned evenly between Christians and Muslims

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the father must be a citizen of Lebanon Suffrage: 21 years of age; authorized for all men and women regardless of religion; excludes persons convicted of felonies and other crimes or those imprisoned; excludes all military and security service personnel regardless of rank

Historical Background

As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquerors for much of its history, including the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943.

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