Civil Laws at Cambodia
Cambodia’s civil law system is based largely on the French civil law tradition, influenced historically by its colonial past under France. Here’s a general overview of civil laws in Cambodia, covering the key codes and structures:
🏛️ Core Civil Law Codes in Cambodia
Cambodia has several core codes that govern civil matters:
1. Civil Code (2007)
This is the foundational civil law document and covers:
Property Law – Ownership, possession, land rights.
Contract Law – Formation, validity, and enforcement of contracts.
Family Law – Marriage, divorce, adoption, child custody.
Inheritance Law – Succession rules and wills.
Obligations – General obligations and torts.
It came into force in 2007, and it's similar to the Japanese Civil Code, which itself was influenced by German and French law.
2. Civil Procedure Code (2006)
This code governs how civil court cases are processed. It outlines:
Court procedures
Filing lawsuits
Evidence rules
Appeals and enforcement of judgments
⚖️ Judicial System
Civil cases are handled by:
Municipal/Provincial Courts (first instance)
Court of Appeal
Supreme Court of Cambodia
Disputes like land ownership, contracts, family issues, and inheritance typically go through these courts.
👥 Family and Marriage Law
Key rules from the Civil Code:
Legal marriage age: 18 years old (with some exceptions)
Monogamy is enforced; polygamy is illegal.
Divorce is permitted and can be processed through mutual consent or court order.
📄 Contracts in Cambodia
Contracts must be mutually agreed, not contrary to public order, and have a lawful purpose.
Written contracts are preferred but oral ones can be valid.
Enforcement is through civil courts.
🏠 Property & Land Law
Foreigners cannot own land but can lease or own buildings.
Cambodians can own land and must register it with the land authorities.
Land disputes are common and are a major part of civil litigation.
🧑⚖️ Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Arbitration is available (especially for commercial disputes).
Mediation is sometimes used in family or community-level disputes.
📚 Key Institutions
Ministry of Justice
Supreme Council of the Magistracy
Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia
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