Latest Laws

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

The translation and publication of the Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation was done by the Ethiopian Lawyers Association in partnership with USAID’s Feteh (Justice) Activity in Ethiopia as part of their efforts to build on the capacity of civil society organizations that are involved in governance and judicial reform efforts. Special thanks goes to the Ethiopian Lawyers Association. 

Members of parliament have ratified the Commercial Code on March 2021, marking the first time in over six decades that the Code has seen any major revisions. Revised after 62 years, the new Code allows for the legal recognition of holding companies and single-member companies, as well as allowing virtual shareholder meetings. The new Code also introduces a variety of insolvency procedures in addition to bankruptcy, including preventive restructuring proceedings and simplified reorganization proceedings. It also incorporates new clauses that provide protection for minority shareholders on corporate transparency and disclosure, improved rights, and more stringent stipulations of responsibilities on the part of corporate boards. The changes made are expected to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

You can download the official version of this code (English Version) here. 

WHEREAS, it is necessary to ensure better protection of users of advocacy service;  provision of high quality and well-organized advocacy service; and raising the professional standard of advocacy service is necessary to promote rule of law and the right of access to justice; 

WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a system that is designed to advance the public interest and prevalence of justice; a joint administration that balances the respective roles of the government and practitioners in order to ensure advocacy services provided with professional independence;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to lay down a system that directs and governs law firms which provide uninterrupted and institutionally guaranteed advocacy service to users of advocacy service;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a system whereby advocates undergo continuing professional training intended to keep them well informed of the latest developments in the form of new laws, legal concepts, and relevant local and international practices;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a system whereby advocates can, individually as well as through their own associations, ensure their rights and interests are respected, and advance their knowledge, expertise and professional standards;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a mechanism by which complaints arising out of the administration of advocacy services are fairly entertained;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby Proclaimed as follows:

WHEREAS, the establishment of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Conciliation helps to complement the right to justice and, in particular, contribute to the resolution of investment and commercial related disputes and to the development of the sector;

WHEREAS, arbitration and conciliation help in rendering efficient decision by reducing the cost of the contracting parties, protecting confidentiality, allowing the participation of experts and the use of simple procedure which provides freedom to contracting parties;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide for a general framework for the identification of arbitrable cases, management of arbitration proceedings and execution of decision by taking into account the objective condition prevailing in the country;

WHEREAS, the Proclamation helps in implementing international treaties acceded and ratified by Ethiopia;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to amend the laws in force by taking into account the international practices and principles related to arbitration and conciliation;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

WHEREAS, in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Constitution, judicial power is vested in both the Federal and the Regional courts;

WHEREAS, the Constitution stipulates that everyone has a right to bring justiciable matter to obtain a decision or judgment from, a court of law; irreplaceable;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a system in which Federal Courts play an inimitable role in enforcing the rules of law and, protection of human and democratic rights;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to ensure that Federal Courts do provide effective, efficient, accountable and predictable service in accordance with judicial independence mentioned in the provision of the Constitution;

WHEREAS, establishing a legislative framework under which courts would have full autonomy to manage their own budget, recruit and assign their non-judicial personnel, and administer themselves is essential for a strong judiciary;

WHEREAS, the frequent amendment of the Federal Courts Proclamation No. 25/1996 makes inconvenience to work and necessary of having an amended Proclamation;

NOW THEREFORE, in accordance to the Article 55 Sub-Article (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows.

WHEREAS, it has been found necessary to lay down a working system that guarantees the rights of workers and employers to freely establish their respective associations and to engage, through their duly authorized representatives, in social dialogue and collective bargaining, as well as to draw up procedures for the expeditious settlement of labor disputes, which arise between them;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create a favorable environment for investment and achievement of national economic goals without scarifying fundamental workplace rights by laying down well-considered labour administration; and determine the duties and responsibilities of governmental organs entrusted with the power to monitor labor conditions; occupational health and safety; and environmental protection together with bilateral and tripartite social dialogue mechanisms, political, economic and social policies of the Country;

WHEREAS it has been found necessary to reformulate the existing labour law with a view to attaining the aforementioned objectives and in accordance with the and in conformity with the international conventions and other legal commitments to which Ethiopia is a party;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 (1) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

Members of parliament have ratified the Commercial Code on March 2021, marking the first time in over six decades that the Code has seen any major revisions. Revised after 62 years, the new Code allows for the legal recognition of holding companies and single-member companies, as well as allowing virtual shareholder meetings. The new Code also introduces a variety of insolvency procedures in addition to bankruptcy, including preventive restructuring proceedings and simplified reorganization proceedings. It also incorporates new clauses that provide protection for minority shareholders on corporate transparency and disclosure, improved rights, and more stringent stipulations of responsibilities on the part of corporate boards. The changes made are expected to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

You can download the official version of this code (Amharic Version) here.