What is the legal system in Madagascar?

Madagascar has adopted the French legal system, which is a mixed legal system. This system includes French law as well as local customary law and Islamic law. Madagascar's legal system is governed by three separate powers: legislative, executive and judicial. Parliament, the legislative body, consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The executive branch is represented by the President and the Government. The judicial branch is represented by an independent court system. Courts are divided into various types, such as general courts, commercial courts, administrative courts and district courts. Judges in the courts are appointed by the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body. The source of law in Madagascar is the constitution, statutes, court decisions and customary law. Under the influence of the French legal system, written law is of great importance in Madagascar. But local customary law also plays an important role, especially in rural areas. Additionally, Islamic law also has an important place in Madagascar. The majority of Malagasi people living in the northern and western regions of the country are Muslims and follow Islamic law. In general, the Madagascar legal system has a mixed structure, under the influence of the French legal system. However, local customary law and Islamic law also play an important role.