Legal System

The legal system of Seychelles is based on English Common Law, French Civil Law and Local Statute and custom

Generally speaking common law, as opposed to civil or socialist law, is a type of legal system where legislation is continually evolving. Courts refine and create laws on a case-by-case basis. When resolving a legal dispute, in the ideal world, a common law court looks to precedents set by other courts. What this means is that when a court is resolving a dispute, it must look to see if a similar dispute was resolved in the past. If one has, then the present day court is obligated to following the same reasoning used in the prior case; this principle is called stare decisis. On the other hand, if the dispute is totally unique, the court may resolve the matter itself using general guidelines. This new decision then becomes the precedent to which all future cases are bound. Over the years, the precedents created by past decisions coalesce into a complicated set of rules that apply to a wide array of case; this collection of rules is known as “common law”. Of course, common law systems are much more complex in practice, nevertheless the principle of stare decisis as described above, is the foundation of all common law systems.

Civil law, also called Continental law or Romano-Germanic law, is the most prevalent legal system in the world. The main difference between civil and common law is that that common law draws abstract rules from specific cases, whereas civil law starts with abstract rules, which judges must then apply to the various cases before them. In other words, historically speaking, common law is based upon traditions and laws are codified following court rulings. On the other hand, in the case of civil law, laws are first codified and then applied. There are a number of civil codes besides the Napoleonic code.

Latest news

• C&G’s expansion plan to rely on internal cash - Business Daily Africa

  Google News - The Seychelles, 17-February-2008

  
  C&G’s expansion plan to rely on internal cash
  Business Daily Africa, Kenya - 8 hours ago
  The company sees bright prospects for its dealerships in Ethiopia, Dibouti, Eritrea and Seychelles. The company also owns Kibo Poultry Products, ...

  [full story]

• College Financial Aid Help - WMBB-TV

  Google News - Panama, 17-February-2008

  
  College Financial Aid Help
  WMBB-TV, FL - 19 hours ago
  By Tuquyen Mach Panama City, FL -- The cost of a college education keeps going up, so the folks at Gulf Coast Community College are seeking to help students ...

  [full story]

• 'Lost' Dueling Analyses: The Economist - Washington Post

  Google News - The Seychelles, 15-February-2008

  
  The Elements
  'Lost' Dueling Analyses: The Economist
  Washington Post, United States - 6 hours ago
  It seems to me that line applies to Sayid; once he realizes who Ben is, he becomes his partner in crime and goes literally on the road -- to the Seychelles, ...
  The Economist: Lost season four, episode three recap National Post
  Lost: The Economist TV Squad
  all 17 news articles

  [full story]

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