Senegal
Civil law
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Senegal is a civil-law country that follows the French model. Its Constitution has been revised several times, it belongs to the OHADA business-law system with other African states, and its Family Code recognises both civil and customary or religious choices.
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Where the law comes from
- The Constitution, the highest law, with a Constitutional Council
- Codes and statutes in the French style, such as the Family Code of 1972
- OHADA uniform acts, which govern business law across the member states
- Customary and Muslim law, which can apply in family matters by the parties' option
The main courts
- The Court of Cassation (ordinary courts) and the Council of State (administrative courts)
- The Constitutional Council, which reviews laws
- Courts of appeal and first-instance courts
Becoming a lawyer
A law degree, a professional training period and an exam, then registration with the Bar of Senegal.
What may surprise you
- Business law is shared with other OHADA states, not made only in Dakar.
- The Family Code allows people to choose how their family matters are governed.
- Courts work in French, though most people speak Wolof and other languages.
Related systems
How this country is classified
The University of Ottawa’s JuriGlobe database lists Senegal as: Civil law, Customary. It names the systems in order of importance.
The map colours a country by the first-named system, and shows both civil-law and common-law countries as “mixed”. It is a simplification, and real systems are rarely pure.
Other countries in the same family
Sources
Sources last reviewed: October 2026.
TheLawToKnow Tools’s Legal Families Atlas is an educational overview. It simplifies on purpose, and it is not legal advice. For a real legal question about Senegal, consult a lawyer qualified there. Report a mistake.
