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Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, Seychelles
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Latest Version in WIPO Lex
Year of Version
2011
Dates
Entry into force:
June 23, 1993
Adopted:
June 18, 1993
Type of Text
Constitution/Basic Law
Subject Matter
Other
Notes
The current Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles was approved by referendum on June 18, 1993 and amended in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, and in 2011. It enshrines the fundamental rights of citizens of Seychelles and affirms the democratic values.
The President is the Head of State and Government, as well as Commander in Chief of the armed forces (Article 50). The President is elected by direct universal suffrage and is restricted to three terms of office of five years each (Article 52).
The Legislative power is vested in a unicameral parliament, the National Assembly (Article 85).
The court system comprises a Court of Appeal, a Supreme Court and subordinate courts and tribunals (Article 119). The President of the Court of Appeal, the head of the Supreme Court and all other judges are appointed by the President from candidates nominated by the Constitutional Appointments Authority (Articles 123, 127).
Seychelles has a mixed jurisdiction legal system. The civil law is governed by a Civil Code derived from the French Napoleonic Code. The criminal law is substantially based on the common law.
The Constitution does not contain provisions concerning the protection of copyrights and industrial property rights; however, Article 39 guarantees the protection of cultural and customary values of the Seychellois people. Furthermore, the Constitution guarantees the protection of private property (Art. 26) and the right to freedom of expression and conscience (Arts. 22 & 21).
Available Texts
Main text(s)
Main text(s)
English
Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles
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French
Constitution de la République des Seychelles
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WIPO Lex No.
SC001