The legal systems in West African countries are diverse.

They have their foundations in different colonial heritages and have been shaped by a variety of customary and religious norms, which affects the design of each country’s judicial system. At the same time, this region is growing together under the umbrella of the Economic Community of West African States.

This book compares the constitutional justice institutions in 16 West African states and analyses the diverse ways in which these institutions render justice and promote democratic development. It also seeks to facilitate mutual learning and understanding among countries in the region, especially those with different legal systems, in efforts to frame a common West African system.

There is no single best approach: different legal traditions tend to produce different design options. The authors analyse a broad spectrum of issues related to constitutional justice institutions in West Africa. While navigating technical issues such as competence, composition, access, the status of judges, the authoritative power of these institutions and their relationship with other institutions, they also take a novel look at analogous institutions in pre-colonial Africa with similar functions, as well as the often-taboo subject of the control and accountability of these institutions.