General Practice Law at Senegal
General practice law in Senegal involves lawyers who offer a wide array of legal services across multiple areas of law, rather than focusing on a single specialization. In Senegal's legal context—grounded in civil law traditions, heavily influenced by French law, and integrated with local customary practices—general practice lawyers are essential, particularly for everyday legal matters faced by individuals and small to mid-sized businesses.
Legal System in Senegal – Overview
Legal Tradition: Civil law system (inherited from France)
Main sources of law:
The Constitution of Senegal (2001)
Civil Code
Penal Code
Family Code
OHADA law (for business and commercial matters across francophone Africa)
Judiciary is independent, with a hierarchical system:
Tribunaux de première instance (First instance courts)
Cour d’appel (Appeal courts)
Cour Suprême (Supreme Court)
📚 Key Areas Handled by General Practice Lawyers in Senegal
1. Civil and Contract Law
Drafting and reviewing contracts
Debt recovery and breach of contract cases
Land disputes and leases
Civil litigation (small claims, damages)
2. Family and Personal Law
Marriage, divorce, and annulment (regulated under the Code de la Famille)
Child custody and support
Inheritance and succession matters (often involving a mix of Islamic law, customary law, and civil law)
3. Criminal Law
Defense in criminal trials
Representation during investigation and pre-trial detention
Bail applications and appeals
4. Labor and Employment Law
Employment contracts
Unfair dismissal claims
Workplace disputes
Compliance with Senegal’s Labor Code
5. Business and Commercial Law
Company formation under OHADA law
Drafting shareholder agreements and commercial leases
Handling disputes between business partners or with clients
Registration with Centre des Formalités des Entreprises (CFE)
6. Administrative and Constitutional Law
Disputes involving government agencies
Public procurement and tender-related issues
Applications to Conseil Constitutionnel for public interest cases
🏛️ Legal Practice and Profession
Legal professionals are registered with the Bar Association of Senegal (Ordre des Avocats du Sénégal), headquartered in Dakar.
The profession is regulated under Law No. 2004-07 of February 2004.
Foreign lawyers may be admitted under special conditions but must often work in partnership with local lawyers.
🧾 Common Clients and Cases
General practice lawyers in Senegal typically serve:
Private individuals – family matters, land disputes, wills
Small business owners – contracts, labor issues, tax compliance
Expats and NGOs – compliance with local laws, land transactions, residency permits
⚠️ Challenges for General Practice Lawyers in Senegal
Lengthy judicial processes – delays are common in civil and commercial litigation
Mix of legal traditions – navigating between formal law, customary norms, and Islamic law (especially in rural areas or family law)
Access to justice – Limited access for rural and low-income communities
Corruption and inefficiencies – Still present in parts of the judiciary or bureaucracy
✅ Recent Legal Developments
Digitalization of court services is slowly increasing, especially in Dakar
Senegal remains a regional leader in OHADA business law implementation
Legal aid efforts have been expanding, with NGOs and public defenders supporting indigent clients
🤝 When to Hire a General Practice Lawyer
A general practitioner is helpful when you need:
A one-stop legal advisor for family, civil, or business issues
Help navigating bureaucracy, property registration, or starting a business
Court representation in both civil and criminal cases
Legal mediation or arbitration
Would You Like Help With?
A sample Senegalese contract (e.g. lease, employment, business partnership)?
How to register a company under OHADA law?
Info on family law procedures like divorce or inheritance?
Legal aid or bar association contacts in Senegal?
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