The Chilot Jurisdiction of the Emperor of Ethiopia

Abstract

A nation's legal institutions must be established and maintained with a view not only toward administrative convenience, but also in accordance with the deep-rooted traditions of the people. Legal institutions superimposed upon a people without regard to their traditions and needs will never have the confidence of the people. Because of Ethiopia's status as an independent nation it has been possible for its legal institutions to be established and developed in accordance with the needs and desires of the Ethiopian people. A rich legal tradition, distinctly Ethiopian in character, has emerged. Ethiopia does not have the common law tradition, which was imposed upon nations of Africa that formerly were British colonies; it does not have that kind of civil law tradition that was imposed upon nations of Africa that formerly were colonies of continental states. The significance of law in Ethiopia and the importance of justice to the Ethiopian people have long been recognized by many scholars.1