Legal System of Zambia
Zambia is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in southern africa, east of angola, south of the democratic republic of the congo. The country achieved independence on 24 october 1964 (from the uk). The capital is Lusaka.
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021) Head of Government: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly Administrative Divisions: 10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western National Holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Zambia is described as mixed system of English common law 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 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly in two separate readings at least 30 days apart; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms requires approval by at least one half of votes cast in a referendum prior to consideration and voting by the Assembly
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 11 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission, which is headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65 Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (3 levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved)
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia Citizenship by Descent: yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Bantu-speaking groups mainly from the Luba and Lunda Kingdoms in the Congo River Basin and from the Great Lakes region in East Africa settled in what is now Zambia beginning around A.D. 300, displacing and mixing with previous population groups in the region. The Mutapa Empire developed after the fall of Great Zimbabwe to the south in the 14th century and ruled the region, including large parts of Zambia, from the 14th to 17th century.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Zambia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.