Law of Bhutan

The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English common law.^[1] As Bhutan democratizes, its government has examined many countries' legal systems and modeled its reforms after their laws.^[2]

The supreme law of Bhutan is the Constitution of 2008. Under the Constitution, laws are passed through a bicameral process requiring the assent of the National Assembly and National Council of Parliament, as well as the assent of the King. The final authority on law of Bhutan and its interpretation is the Supreme Court. Laws enacted in Bhutan prior to the Constitution of 2008 remain intact insofar as they do not conflict with the Constitution.^[3]

Much of Bhutanese law is premised on promoting Gross National Happiness, a fundamental principle of the Constitution.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]

The law of Bhutan is enforced by the national police, established in 1965. The judicial system of Bhutan, namely the Royal Court of Justice, brings and hears cases and interprets the law of Bhutan. Agencies of Ministries within the Lhengye Zhungtshog (Cabinet) as well as independent Commissions are established by law to implement relevant laws, provide regulations, and establish procedural frameworks.

^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Worden, Robert L. (1991). Savada, Andrea Matles (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Introduction.
^ Newburger, Emily (Summer 2007). "New Dynamics in Constitutional Law". Harvard Law Bulletin. Harvard Law School. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference CoBE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act 2005" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 2005-11-30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
^ Cite error: The named reference Labour was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference CSOA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference LGA09 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference TCA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Worden, Robert L. (1991). Savada, Andrea Matles (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Introduction.

[Harvard07-2] Newburger, Emily (Summer 2007). "New Dynamics in Constitutional Law". Harvard Law Bulletin. Harvard Law School. Retrieved 2010-11-09.

[CoBE-3] Cite error: The named reference CoBE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[NA05-4] "Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act 2005" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 2005-11-30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2011-03-25.

[Labour-5] Cite error: The named reference Labour was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[CSOA-6] Cite error: The named reference CSOA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[LGA09-7] Cite error: The named reference LGA09 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[TCA-8] Cite error: The named reference TCA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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