Changing the Courts in Zimbabwe: The Customary Law and Primary Courts Act

1982 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ladley

In February, 1981, the Customary Law and Primary Courts Bill was “celebrated” into law by the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It was swept into being with the reforming fervour which the new government brought to an independent Zimbabwe. The debating chambers, and loudspeakers at country-wide mass rallies, echoed with condemnations of the previous customary court structures and with the promise of popular justice and people's courts. Whether the legislation was “revolutionary” is arguable, but the atmosphere of its birth is an important indicator of its nature—a people's government was providing for a people's law. This article is mainly concerned with the changes in court structure and jurisdiction brought about by the Customary Law and Primary Courts Act. However, some observations on the early life of the primary courts, and on other matters of law reform in Zimbabwe, are necessary in order to breathe life into the legislative discussion. Many of these observations are personal—gleaned from field research into the primary courts in Zimbabwe between April, 1982, and February, 1983.

Author(s):  
Fatahuddin Aziz Siregar

The South Tapanuli community adopts a patrilineal kinship system so that women do not get inheritance, even if there is acquisition of property, women receive it not in their capacity as heirs but in the form of holong ni ate as confirmed in the Supreme Court Jurisprudence number 506K / Sip / 1968 dated January 22, 1969 However, on the other hand the Tapsel community underwent a process of Islamization that was quite deep, so that the customary law of South Tapanuli was also influenced by positive law including Jurisprudence which gave heir to girls later issued by the Supreme Court number 528K / Sip / 1972 dated 17 January 1973. This rule makes the practice of distributing the assets of Tapsel's community inheritance also shifts no longer according to the full provisions of adat law.This paper focuses on answering the factors that cause the shift in Batak customary inheritance in Tapsel, how the form of Batak adat inheritance shifts in Tapsel, and how the role of Islamic law in the shifting Batak customary inheritance in Tapsel. To answer this, use descriptive-analytical field research using data collection techniques in the form of observations and interviews with traditional leaders, religious leaders, judges and the community who carry out the distribution of inheritance.From this search, the authors found that the practice of inheritance in Tapsel society has shifted from adat inheritance caused by two factors, namely, First, the factor of Islamic law because Tapsel people have understood Islam well and run it in various fields of life including in the distribution of inheritance. Given that there are dozens of Islamic education institutions in Tapsel according to the author has given a pretty good understanding of Islamic law. So in general it can be said, that this change is a consequence of the Islamization process experienced by the Tapsel people. Second, is the factor of higher power or positive law because until now the community still believes that only the Religious Courts as a place to solve the problem of inheritance to obtain legal certainty.The shift to adat inheritance occurs in several patterns. The first pattern is a total change from customary form to division according to faraid, this pattern occurs in areas that are fairly Islamic, namely the Mandailing Natal region, although of course there are some people who divide in a way that is not consistent in carrying out Islamic law. The second pattern is to carry out adat law, namely in communities that are relatively strict with adat, namely in the Padang Lawas and Sipirok regions, in this area many cases seem to have carried out faraid formally but the substance still reflects the spirit of adat law. The third pattern, namely the way of division which is a combination of Islamic law and customary law, which is a fairly moderate community in the Angkola region.Islamic law has contributed by shifting the implementation of customary law to Islamic law. People who according to customary law do not receive inheritance become heirs who receive a certain portion. At first the mother did not count as an heir, then given a part 1/3 or 1/6. Istdri initially did not get any portion of the inheritance then received 1/4 or 1/8. Girls initially only have the status of olong ate, then receive a relatively large portion, which is 1/2 or 2/3.


1984 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boaventura de Sousa Santos

The Portuguese-speaking countries represent rather varied socio-political realities and are going through very different internal developments. They share, however, some fundamental similarities within the contemporary African context. I will distinguish two characteristics of particular significance for the topic I propose to treat here.


LITIGASI ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
ILYAS ISMAIL ◽  
Tn. Sufyan ◽  
Tn. Azhari

This paper is going to discuss the sorts of land rights recognized by laws and the implementation of such rights and recopceptualisation  related to the land reform program. Library and field researches are conducted to obtain the data. Library research is conducted by exploring the relevant laws and literatures while field research is conducted by interviewing relevant informants. The research shows that there are about 13 rights of the land that can be found in the regulations. Most of the rights on land is based on customary law which has communal concept. However, amongst such rights in the implementation still faces unjust in dividing its benefit, there is a tendency to increase the gap in owning the land and to disobey the need of housing that more complex in the limited number of it; hence the reconceptualisation  is required for the rights.  Keywords: Recopceptualisation; Land Rights; Law ReformABSTRAKTulisan  ini dimaksudkan untuk menjelaskan mengenai macam-macam hak atas tanah yang dikenal dalam ketentuan perundang-undangan,  pelaksanaan berbagai macam hak atas tanah tersebut dan rekonseptualisasi hak-hak atas tanah dikaitkan dengan restrukturisasi penguasaan tanah. Untuk mendapatkan data bagi kepentingan penulisan ini dilakukan penelitian kepustakaan dan penelitian lapangan. Penelitian kepustakaan dilakukan dengan cara menelaah ketentuan perundang-undangan dan  literatur yang relevan, sedangkan penelitian lapangan dilakukan dengan cara mewawancarai para nara sumber yang terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa paling tidak terdapat 13 (tiga belas) macam hak atas tanah yang terdapat pengaturannya dalam ketentuan perundang-undangan. Sebagian besar hak-hak atas tanah tersebut bersumberkan pada hukum adat yang berkonsepsi kumunalistik. Namun diantara hak-hak atas tanah tersebut dalam pelaksanaannya ada yang masih mengandung unsur pemerasan, cenderung semakin meningkatkan  ketimpangan dalam penguasaan tanah dan cenderung tidak dapat mengakomodir kebutuhan tanah yang semakin komplek dalam keterbatasan ketersediaannya, karena itu diperlukan rekonseptualisasi hak-hak atas tanah.Kata kunci:  Rekonseptualisasi; Hak Atas Tanah; Pembaharuan Hukum


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-174
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sibawaihi ◽  
Mokhammad Baharun

Marriage has rules and regulations its implementation. According to Jambi Malay customary law,  there are several stages in marriage custom, especially in subdistrict of Muara Tembesi, first introduction period, second preparation period. thirth  day scales, fourth betel tanyo Pinang tanyo, fifth tand fill custom lumbago, sixth take delivery customs lumbago, seventh marriages marry, eight old gather, memulang lek pado penangga, ninth Berelek Berkenduri, complain Gather tuo. Next custom marriage is absolutely must be followed by  all society  of jambi because of the moral sanction if someone doesn’t follow applicable law. The purpose of  research is to know the custom marriage of Jambi Malay and position of custom law, especially in subdistrict of Tembesi. research method is Islamic law research, research type used is field research. The research approach used is a normative approach, the problems studied under Islamic law, to underestand  the Qur'an, Hadith, and 'Urf in Ushul Fiqh. The research method used is observation, interview, and documentation. Data analysis used is qualitative analysis. Based on the research has done, it can be concluded  the marriage custom of Jambi Malay in Muara Tembesi Subdistrict, the analysis of `Urf is shohih custom.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Masril Masril ◽  
Ade Kosasih

Abstract: The number of cases have been decided and executed by the Customary Court, but are still being processed and tried according to national law. It creates legal uncertainty and tends to conflict with the values of justice and human rights. This tendency is due to law enforcers who prioritize the principle of nullum delictum noella poena sine pravea lege poenali. The criminal law also acknowledges the principle of ne bis in idem for every decided and executed cases, including the Decision of the Adat Court. The result describes that the application of the principle of ne bis in idem to the Decision of the Customary Court has a place in Indonesian law. This can be recognized from the existence of a Supreme Court jurisprudence which states that if a case has been decided by the Adat Court and brought back to court, the Public Prosecutor's indictment must be declared "unacceptable" Niet On vankelijke Verklaark. The implementation of the principle of legality is not only interpreted as nullum delictum sine lege, seen as formal legality, but also as nullum delictum sine ius, material legality by recognizing customary law as a source of law.Keywoords: Ne bis in idem, Verdict, Customary Court.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Galuh Faradhilah Yuni Astuti

Penelitian ini mengkaji dua persoalan pokok. Pertama, relevansi Hukum Pidana Adat sebagai kontribusi dalam pembaharuan Hukum Pidana di Indoneisa. Kedua, penerapan hukum dalam penyelesaian tindak pidana berdasarkan Hukum Pidana Adat di Suku Tengger. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kontribusi Hukum Pidana Adat, berupa penyelesaian perkara di luar pengadilan atau mediasi penal yang dilakukan masyarakat atau masyarakat adat secara turun temurun, sudah relevan dengan pembaharuan Hukum Pidana di Indonesia. Praktik semacam ini selaras dengan nilai dan cita-cita Bangsa Indonesia, sesuai dengan sila keempat Pancasila sebagai dasar negara. Selain itu selaras dengan ide keseimbangan Hukum Pidana, teori sifat melawan hukum, pemenuhan kewajiban adat serta perluasan asas legalitas. Masyarakat Adat Suku Tengger menggunakan mediasi penal sebagai alternatif pertama dalam menyelesaikan perselisihan atau tindak  pidana yang terjadi pada daerah mereka, kemudian menyerahkan kepada pihak yang berwajib ketika mediasi penal tidak mencapai kesepakatan yang adil. <br /><br /><br /><em>This study examines two key issues. First, the relevance of Criminal Customary Law as a contribution to the renewal of Criminal Law at Indoneisa. Second, application of the law in the resolution of a criminal offense under the Criminal Customary Law in Tengger tribe. These results indicate that the contribution of Criminal Customary Law, in the form of settling disputes out of court or penal mediation conducted community or indigenous peoples from generation to generation, it is relevant to the Criminal Law reform in Indonesia. Such practices are aligned with the values and ideals of the Indonesian nation, according to the fourth principle of Pancasila as the state. Moreover tune with the idea of the balance of the Criminal Law, the theory of nature against the law, customary obligations fulfillment and expansion of the principle of legality. Indigenous Peoples Tengger tribe using penal mediation as the first alternative in resolving disputes or criminal acts that occur in their area, and then handed over to the authorities when the penal mediation does not reach a fair deal.</em>


Author(s):  
Lea Mwambene ◽  
Roberta Hlalisa Mgidlana

In 2014 the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC)released a Discussion Paper on the practice of ukuthwala. TheDiscussion paper was revised and released again in 2015 toinclude public consultations and the proposed Prohibition ofForced Marriages and Child Marriages Bill (Prohibition Bill). TheProhibition Bill introduces an expanded crime of forcedmarriages and child marriages, including because of ukuthwala.In view of the SALRC's proposed Prohibition Bill, this paperinvestigates whether South Africa should criminalise ukuthwalaor not. The paper also examines the advantages anddisadvantages of criminalising breaches of ukuthwala in theprotection of women and girls affected by the practice by drawingupon the field research findings from the community where theS v Jezile 2015 2 SACR 452 (WCC) case originated. Amongother findings, the field research show that the practice ofukuthwala is deeply rooted in the communities where it is stillprevalent to the extent that the approach taken by the ProhibitionBill, expecting the victims to report their own parents or familymembers to law enforcement agents, might force the practice togo underground. Ultimately, we suspect that this might make itmore difficult to protect women and children's rights violationsassociated with ukuthwala. We therefore recommend that toeffectively address the malpractices surrounding ukuthwala, theprocess of law reform look at the elements of ukuthwala, theprocedure that is followed, appreciate the cultural significance ofthe practice, as well as understand the merits and demerits ofthe customary delictual claims that are already used bycommunities where processes of the practice have beenbreached. In this way, communities will be more receptive to anygovernment's efforts that are aimed at addressing forced andchild marriages linked to ukuthwala. In addition, we submit thatunless government prioritises awareness campaigns into thecommunities that are going to be affected by the proposed lawreform, such law, will again be what Himonga calls "paper law".


Author(s):  
Qosim Khoiri Anwar ◽  
Habib Shulton Asnawi ◽  
Annikmah Farida

This research examines the facts of injustice against the divorcee died in the customary law of Lampung Lampung Pepadun Marga Anak Represents the Middle Lampung. The fact of the injustice done to the women starting from the existence of a pattern of relations of power that lame between men with women. Justification authorities it can be born is backed by the social perception of perception in the form of the myths of superiority a man trusted by the community. This research method is the type of field research, which are sociological qualitative analysis method with ethnographic. The primary data source is the custom of Lampung Pepadun, religious figures, as well as widows divorcees to death. The purpose of this research is to know the rights and obligations of the divorcee died in the customary law of Lampung Lampung Pepadun Marga Anak Represents the Middle Lampung in the perspective of Gender. Research results themselves that the provisions of the law on the rights and obligations of the divorcee died in the customary law of Lampung Lampung Pepadun Marga Anak Represents the middle of conflicting and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and gender equality


JURISDICTIE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwar Fauzi

<p>One of interesting customary laws is the implementation of customary law of inheritance system of Minangkabau society. Minangkabaw society implements inheritance system from mother’s lineage. It contradicts with the inheritance system in Islam which admits father’s lineage system. The aim of this research is to describe social construction pattern and inheritance system which are constructed by Minangkabaw society in Malang. Method which is applied in this research is field research with qualitative descriptive approaches. From the result of this research, the researcher concludes that social construction which is constructed by Minangkabaw society in Malang is adaptive system. This system is a combination between customary law and applicative law of the area where the society settled. Related to inheritance determination, this society tends to apply conventional law system and they leave their</p> <p>customary law although they still want to apply the customary one.</p> <p> </p> <p>Salah satu hukum adat yang sangat menarik yaitu tentang penerapan hukum adat masyarakat Minangkabau yang berkaitan dengan hukum waris. Masyarakat Minangkabau menerapkan hukum waris dari garis keturunan Ibu. Hal ini sangat kontradiksi dengan sistem hukum waris Islam yang menarik keturunan dari garis ayah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini ingin mendiskripsikan pola konstruksi sosial dan sistem hukum waris yang dibangun masyarakat Minangkabau ketika menetap di Malang. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian lapangan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini, peneliti menyimpulkan bahwa konstruksi sosial yang di bangun masyarakat Minangkabau yang menetap di Malang yaitu menggunakan sistem adaptif. Dimana sistem ini merupakan suatu bentuk peleburan terhadap hukum adat dengan hukum yang berlaku di daerah mereka menetap. Dalam hal penerapan waris, masyarakat Minangkabau yang menetap di Malang mereka cenderung memakai sistem hukum konvensional, dan menanggalkan hukum adat meraka, meskipun masih ada keinginan untuk menerapkan hukum adat Minangkabau di Malang.</p> <p> </p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
Peter McKenzie

This article reflects on Professor Tony Angelo's contributions to the laws of various British colonies, particularly Mauritius. The author illustrates different types of jurisdiction by reference to individual countries. First, the author discusses colonies with a received legal heritage – Mauritius, who has influences from its French colonial administration and English law, and Botswana who has hints of English commercial statutes. Secondly, the author discusses colonies with an underlying common law system – Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Samoa. None of these nations were settled colonies, but colonial administrators took with them a common law structure for contracts, and civil and commercial obligations, while retaining customary law and practices in relation to land. Finally, the Maldives is discussed as a "special case". The author then discusses his reflections on the colonial legal legacy, including the impact of the English language, the shared nature of the colonies' legal systems (including a common accounting and business framework), and the "colonial legal patchwork". The author hopes that the impetus given by Professor Angelo to law reform in Mauritius, as well as other nations, will continue.


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