Benin is a civil law country that has inherited its legal system from colonial powers, primarily from France. The Benin legal system consists of a mix of customary and statutory law.
The Constitution of Benin is the supreme law of the land and all other laws must be consistent with it. The judicial system of Benin is independent of the executive and legislative branches and is composed of various courts, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Cassation, the Constitutional Court and the High Court of Justice.
The legal system of Benin is based on the French civil code and guided by the principles of civil law. The main sources of legislation include the Constitution, legislation passed by the National Assembly, and customary law. Customary law is based on the traditions and customs of the local communities.
The legal profession in Benin is regulated by the Conseil National de l’Ordre des Avocats (National Council of the Bar Association). All lawyers must be members of the Bar Association in order to practice law in Benin.
The Benin legal system is also subject to international law, as Benin is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and other international organizations.