The legal system of Macau is based on Portuguese civil law, with some aspects of Chinese law incorporated. This is due to the history of Macau, which was a Portuguese colony from 1557 until 1999, when it was officially handed over to the People’s Republic of China.
At the heart of the legal system is the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region. This serves as the constitutional document for the region, and outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Macau. It also outlines the structure of government, the role of the judiciary, and the legal system.
The Macau legal system is made up of the Court of Final Appeal, the Court of First Instance, and the Court of Second Instance. These courts exercise judicial power over Macau. The Court of Final Appeal is the highest court in the region, and is responsible for appeals from the lower courts.
In addition to the courts, the Macau legal system is made up of the Public Prosecutions Office, the Legal Aid Office, and the Legal Affairs Bureau. The Public Prosecutions Office is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, while the Legal Aid Office provides legal advice to those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The Legal Affairs Bureau is responsible for the registration of legal documents, and also provides registration services for the settlement of disputes.
The Macau legal system also includes a number of administrative bodies, such as the Macau Monetary Authority, the Macau Financial Services Bureau, the Macau Investment Promotion Agency, and the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. These organisations are responsible for administering the region’s economic and financial affairs.
Finally, the Macau legal system is also made up of a number of private organisations, such as law firms, legal advisors, and notaries. These organisations provide legal advice and services to individuals, businesses, and organisations.