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Country Background

Lesotho is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is an enclave in South Africa, and as such, is bounded by South Africa on all sides. The capital of Lesotho is Maseru. The official languages of Lesotho are Sesotho (the southern dialect) and English. The country’s population in 2017 was approximately 2 million. Lesotho is a predominantly Christian country, with about 80% of the population Christian and 20% holding indigenous beliefs.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Lesotho is referred to as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a multiparty democracy, in which the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The Constitution of Lesotho was adopted in 1993, and revised most recently in 1998. Lesotho's system of government follows a Westminster type of governance, and is based on principles of separation and checks and balances. It has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The King is the head of state while the Prime Minister (who is appointed by the King) is head of government. The parliament of Lesotho is composed of two houses: Senate (upper house) and National Assembly (lower house). The National Assembly has 120 members, 80 of whom are elected directly from constituencies while 40 are elected through proportional representation. The Senate is made up of 33 Senators, 22 of whom are hereditary tribal chiefs while 11 are appointed by the King. The legal system of Lesotho is a mixed legal system of English common law and Roman-Dutch law.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Lesotho. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Lesotho. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Lesotho has no official school of Islamic law.  

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  
  • Parliament consists of the Senate and National Assembly
• Executive
  • Government Portal
• Judicial
  
  • Lesotho Legal Information Institute

Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Lesotho (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Lesotho (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Lesotho (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Lesotho (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].