f h.:"r- taf '("1..~" ce -'l"..h ~ftJ'ce &r11t\.

~Yo/r.A ., ;JtT ;JltllJ

;FEDERALNEGARIT GAZETA
OF THE FEpERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBUC OF ETIllOPIA

0-1\+;;: 'JOD-r *"c II: 2ndYear No. 13

A.ltl\ Anf) - ft}-t+%+, Iitfif~ Oh.""r-kf t..Y..t-l\'e -'L'fDht-(}J'e ~T-f1iLh ADDIS ABABA - 15th February, 1996
f ,'h1l-f1+lOt}r-'f 9"hC 0."" mf1cf:~""flOtI)

oym-6Ii CONTENTS
hCP~ ~1'C l1?;!njfif(i; ~'9'" Proclamation No. 25/1996
f'("1..~fA CJ:C.(-o..,.~ htp~ 1;t lifiJit Federal Courts Proclamation Page 129.

hCP~ <k1'CiJ?;!Iitfif(i; PROCLAMATION NO. 25/ 1996

f'("1..t-fA CJ:C.(-o..,.~ htp:E- FEDERAL COURTS' PROCLAMATION

nh.:,.r-taf '("1..~"ce-'l""h~ft.fce &r11t\.h f~~~:" WHEREAS, in the Federal Democratic Republic of
P'fAlJ)"} n'("1..~fA oP"}"'P'1:li nhfAho~ f+h4-~t\ Ethiopia,judical power is vested in both the Federal Govern-
OoPlf)' I
ih7' oP'J..,)P1:"} 'oPu.Z:" OO?.(-l.., f'("1..t-fA CJ:C.(- ment and the Regions;
o..,.~"} P'fAtfJ"} oPlD(r} 'hra~"1.. Iftj OoP1)"1: I WHEREAS, it is found necessary to determine the
Oh.:,.r-A-r ~~"ce -'l""h~""fce &r11t\.h ih1 jurisdiction of the. Federal Courts on the basis of the
Constitution;
oP"}"'P'T h"}+;t 2?;(Ii) oPlPl.:"f"th+t\OJ- ;J-OJ-l(fA::
NOW,THEREFORE,in accordancewith Article 55 (1)
hCJ:fA h"}.(- of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of
,m:""''' Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimedas follows:
Ii' h6f.l>C'C6h PART ONE
General
iUh,p~ "f'("1..~fA CJ:C.(-o..,.~ htp~ <k~C iJ?;!
,afT;:"
~~.~ ~ ~"'.' +<11t\-t\.m+ra
'. ' . . f."f"fA ::
1. Short Title
If' TC=i"l This Proclamationmay be cited as the' 'Federal Courts
ProclamationNo. 25/1996."
OtUJ hCP~ OJ-ra1'I I 2 Definitions
,

Ii' "f'("1..~fA oP"}"'P':"qt\P'fAtI)tj~" t1I/t\:"f;h1f11 .

+lD"r-~ 9"hc o.:"li f~1..t.7i") 9"hC 0.:" In this Proclamation:
1) "Officials of the Federal Government" means
hqt\-~: h"t~raTC f.l.~ O"f. flf). f'("Y-o~fA
members of the House of Peoples' Representatives
OD"}"'P'1:flt\P'fAlJ)tj~ f "tth:"C'~ f f'("1..~A and of the House of the Federation, officials of the
m:""f.CJ:C~ 0.:" ~~~. hliOi-'UPVlVlf. f.l~ "f. Federal Governmentabove ministerialrank, minis-
f"t7~ f'("1..t-ir oP"}"'P':" l}t\P'fAlJ)tj~ liOJ-I ters,judges of the Federal SupremeCourt and other
Ifr "f l..1..~fA oP"}"'P':" IP~"'~~~' O?t\:" OILtJ officials of the Federal Government of equivalent
h"}+;t "}o-rah"}+;t(~)OJ-ra1' h+m+(}c:" OJ-6f.b rank;
2) "Employees of the Federal Gpvernment" includes
fir tM..1..~&\oPi"U~:" P'~ "f. f+(}O?~IP~+ all employees,otherthan thosereferredto under sub'"
~~"} u-'lr fm,4>fA"fA I . Article (1) hereof, engaged in the activities of the
Federal Government;
n~";J I ~;Jt"" ;JtLlIJr...,.4l. ititl!
Unit Price} 3.451 Negarit G.P.O.Box 80.001
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C' "f&..1o?/.\ oP,}"'P'-r ilt1:f" O'//\-r ilt1 oP'}"'P'-f:'}
f'l~:pl.'1-c; nilt1 oP'}"'P'i: ,,~ f+m"'''''-r'} n&..1o?/.\
oP'}"'P'i: P'/.\I1)'} n/.\/.\ P'C fir .,.~\'-:f'} f"7.oP/\hi:
nP'?"~ fir ~llC ilt1:f'} ~(,Q,9"?/.\ !
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oP6f f.l.n tt:c.(' n.-r c;:f(J}o!
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f+(&mm- hta/.\ ~m- ::
ntt:/.\ rr/\-r
it/\ &..1o?/.\ tt:c.(' n..y.:f fm/.\ f~~~-r P'/,\I1)'}
C. oPlPl.i:
f &..1o?/.\ tt:c.(' n..y.:f!
li' ilt1 oP')"'P'i:,} I f 2..f...&-/.\oP'}"'P'i:,} ilt1:f. q/\9"
h"'tt: it9"9" ~.y.:f'} db IPl. -r flO'/~ l..., n "7.~w.,.J.; \'-:f!
~. n&..1o?/.\ oP'}"'P'i: iIt.., +1/.\Rm- n+m(&'1-ll/\.,.~\'-:f !
C' n~?/.\ oP'}"'P'i: ilt1 oP'}"lP'-r m~9" nilt.., n+1/\R-
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,,~ f~~~-r ~/'\11)'} ~tj ?:ftp/.\::
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f~~~-r P'/,\I1)'} ~tj?:ftp/.\ !
li' nilt1 oP,}"'p';rlf P'Cqi:c; noP,}"'p'-r fU1C m-it'l'
fJ'I';r ,,~ n"7.LRtJDom'}"f.f\o:f !
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C' n(&m-/.\~:f QP11-r ,,~ n"7.UtJDo m'}"f.f\o:f !
~. n&..1o?/.\oP'}"'P'i:f.,.l.'I'c;f..,i1C1n.r:f I nm.p
"" f1'}U11 'I'.pqo:f ,,~ n"7.LRtJDom'}"f.f\o:f!
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n"7.LRtJDom'}"f.f\o:f !
1:' hh,}.(' n/.\/.\ n"~ .m~9" nq/\9" h"'tt: f.l.n 1\1/'\'"
f\o-r n"7.(&m- oP1c;;;:9':f fJ'I';rc; ~R~-r ,,~ n"7.LRtJDo
m'}"f.f\o:f !
t. fnl.? f.u'}H-'}n"toPt\hi: m1"f.f\o:f!
iI' fm-6Jl' U1C U1:fJ O"7.O!'/\hi: m'}"f.tr>:f !
I' fhf.1;;:c; hf.'}tf". M.:f ilt1-m'l' 1fm-m-c') n"7.oP/\hi:
m'}"f.f\o:f !
Ili' fI+/\f~ n/.\f\o:f m~9" nL'1o?/.\C; nn/.\/.\ tt:c.(' n..y.:f
fp'/.\I1)'} h/.\/.\ P'C n"7.m.('~c; n+ff", m'}"f.f\o:f!
I~' f&..1o?/.\ oP,}"'~i: ll/\P'/,\l1)tj:fc; 1P?+?'f:f
nP'?:fm- m~9" n~"k~;r:fm- 9"h'}'-r +mfct
n"7.If'1-11:fm-fm'}"f./.\ .,.~\'-:f ::
~. ftt:-rdt 11dt.Cf~~~-r P'/.\I1)'}
f &..1o?/.\tt:c.(' n..f.:f O~tt+Ir"" ftt:-rdt 11dt.C~\'-:f ,,~
f~~~-r P'/.\I1)'} ~tj&-:ftp/.\ !
ji. f&..1ot./.\ oP'}<?P'i:hta~,+h~l}4 nlf~n-r ~~!
~. oPf.fI~ ~tp6~;r:fm- (1+/\,~.h/.\f\o:f m-(1'1'nlf'1- (&9':f
oPtahA 0"7.~"'"hCh~:f !
C. f&..1o?/.\ oP'}"'P'i: ll/\P'/,\l1)tj:fc; 1P?+?'f:f
m~9" n~"k~;r:fm- 9"h'}'-r +mfct n"7.If'1-11:fm-
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~. fm-6Jl'U1C it;J +h?ta6 nrf~fI-r .,.~~!
'l'9".NegaritGazeta-No.13-15IhFebruary 1996- Page 130
3) "Laws-oftheFederalGovernment" includesall previous
laws in force which are not inconsistent with the
Constitution and relating to matter.sthat fall'within the
competenceof theFederalGovernihentas specifiedin the
Constitution;
4) "Federal Courts" meansthe FederalSupremeCourt, the
FederalHigh Court and the FederalFirst Instance Court;
5) "Person" means a naturalor juridical person.
.'
PART TWO
Common Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
3. Principle
Federal Courtsshall havejurisdictionover:
1) cases arising under the Constitution, Federal Laws
and InternationalTreaties;
2) partiesspecifiedin FederalLaws;
3) places specified in the Constitution or in Federal
Laws.
4. CriminalJurisdiction
Federal Courtsshall havejurisdictionover the following
criminalcases:
1) offences against the Constitutionalorder or against
the internalsecurityof the state;
2) offencesagainstforeign states;
3) offencesagainstthe law of nations;
4) offencesagainstthe fiscal and economic interestsof
the FederalGovernment;
5) offencesregardingcounterfeitcurrency;
6) offences regarding forgery of instruments of the
FederalGovernment;
7) offences regarding the security and freedom of
communicationservicesoperatingwithin more than
one Region or at the internationallevel;
8) offencesagainstthe safetyof aviation;
9) offencesregardingforeign nationals;
10) offences regarding illicit trafficking of dangerous
drugs;
11) offences falling under the jurisdiction of courts of
differentRegionsor underthejurisdictionof both the
Federal and Regional Courts as well as concurrent
offences;
12) offencescommittedby officialsand employeesof the
Federal Governmentin connectionwith their official
responsibilitiesor duties.
5. Civil Jurisdiction
Federal Courts shall havejurisdictionover the following
civil cases:
1) casesto whicha FederalGQvernmentorg~ is a party;
2) suits between persons permanently residing in
differentRegions;
3) casesregardingthe liabilityof officialsor employees
of the Federal Governmentin connectionwith their
flP'?:fm-
officialresponsibilitiesor duties;
4) cases to which a foreign national is a party; ,
1~ lifr91i ~:M"" ;Jtl.IIJ4:1'C Ic fl1i:t ~ .,."}Iuf.it~ '."'.NegaritGazeta-No.13-15thpebruary 1996- Page 131

~. tI...,~..,."}Ooy,oo"h-l:~f-1o It,. ooy,~n- hCtu~1o !

5) suits involving matters of nationality;
?t. 04J..~&\ OO""~-I: "'111t""f+001l1(1-tD"'" f+*
9:00- f"}..,.(" .('C~1oc;_O?tJO~1o"},Ooy,oo"h""'Ooy,~n- I: f suits relating to business organizations registered or
hch~1o ! fonned under the jurisdi~tion of Federal Government
" organs;
~. (}Dt.,.It"4- f1"}"-o Mf..1o (U7if-oA 1\."}it""~oo"}""it)
It,. Ooy,~n-hCh~1o ! 7) suits regarding negotiable instruments;
8) suits relating t9 patent, literary and artistic-ownership
~. 04.m~ f O.('C(\..,.C; r~ 1'011 q"o.""~"" 00-0.,.10 It,.
rights;
ooy,~n- hch~1o! ' T
9) suits regarding insurance policy;
u. 01\."}n:~"}it tD-&\It,. ooy,Hi- tJctJ~1o!
10) application for Habeas Corpus.
I. .,.,f.. fOO!1l i'h;Jfe~-r"} "O?IIJ~:" Ooy,cfC-fl"'0.-1:;1' ::

. I . .
?t. f4..I..~&\ ~C.(' 0..,.10it"oy,lP~qTtD- f~~ ~1C i'h11o
Ii. f4J..~&\ ~cg- 0..,.10 fr&\lIJ"} tJ~ltTtD-"} OOlPl"" 6. Substantive Laws to be Applied by Federal CoUIts
"'.('C1ID-foy,"'Cn-itTID-"}~"i-: tD"'" tJctJ~.1o! 1) Federal Courts shall settle cases or disputes, submitted to
v) f4..I..~&\ oo"}"'~-I:"} i'h11oc;~",.. "''''fj: it,..,..~ them within their jurisdiction on the b~is of:
.,.1o"}00IPl"" OO?.('l.., fJ',~ ir ! (a) Federal laws and international treaties;
,,) ,.~~ ftJ&\&\i'h"'"}f"'l.oo"h"" rr'i (\.1:';otJ&\ir i'h'" (b) Regional hiws where the cases relate to same;
oolPl"" ~~ir :f 2) Regional laws to be applied pursuant to sub-Article (1)
I. Orf.tJ "'"}.,.~ "}o-it "'")~ (Ii) (,,) oolPl"" "'&.~"'I. (b) hereof shall not be. applicabe where they are
foy,rr~tD- ftJ&\&\ i'h'" h4J..~&\ oo"}"'~-I: i'h11oc; inconsistent with'Federallaws and internationaltreaties.
h,,,,.. "'.,.~ it"'9"~"'1o;JC f"'l.;J6f1'hrr~ o,.~~ It,. 3) WJ:lerea case brought before them gives rise to issues of
. .

1"4.~oy,~..,. "''''i lID-?"): Const~tutionalinterpretation, Federal courts shall refer

the case to the Council of Constitutional Inquiry prior to
c. f4J..~&\ ~C.(' 0..,.10 fIn-"" ~,. fi'h100"}"'~""
giving decision on the matter.
..,.C,.,.. l' 1<1:l1it~l1 o,.~~ It,., tD-l11hooitm;1'TtD-
Ok"" "i'h1 oo"}"'~"" ~f-1o "'IIJ~ ,.q,. "&\h-;1'&\::

7. Procedural Laws to be Applied by Federal CoUIts

~. f4J..~&\~.(' 0..,.10it""'I.IP~qTm- f~~ ~C'..,. i'h11o
hlltJ "''P~ ;JC fO?";J(JJ; or~ It,. lir ftD"}~"~C; ffj:""dt
1ldt.C ~~ FC''''' i'h11oh"}.ltV-'" A.flo1o",..,q-o~"" IltTtD-
i'h11o OH.tJ"''P~qA+jf&.'l- "~f-1o It,. +&.~"'I.~"""'it:-
T'P &\::
The Criminal and Civil Procedure Codes as well as other
relevant laws in force shaUapply with respect to matters not
provided for under this Proclamation insofar as they are not
inconsistent therewith.

. PARTTHREE
tJfj:&\rit"" Jurisdiction of the Federal Supreme Court
it,,4J..~&\ m-rlt,. tj:C.(' 0."" f~~~"" ~&\IIJ")
8. First Instance Jurisdiction of the Federal Supreme Court
"

~. f4J..~&\ m-r~"tj:C~o."" foo"f,.OD~1

Ujf f~~~"" ~&\IIJ"}! The Federal Supreme Court shall have exclusive flfst
f4..l..~&\m-rlt" ~C.(' o..}; O"'l.h.,.ir"" ~f-1o It,. foo"f,. instancejurisdiction over the following:
00~1 ~ljf 1lT~ f~~~"" ~&\IIJ"}"'il'P&\; 1) offences f9r which officials of the Federal Government
are held liable in connection with their official respon-
Ii' f&Jo~&\ oo"}..,r-l: ql\r&\IIJ'i1o, OP'~ ~1\~.~;1'TtD- sibility;
,..h"},..,. "'ml<1: O"'l.rr'l-qTtD- ftD"})!&\~f-1o !
, 2) without prejudice to international diplomatic law and
g. ,,,,.. '" ~ f.lt T ""lI?-ttJ i'h1i-c;&\?" f. 10 h"}.e.+m 04: custom, offences for which foreign ambassadors, con-
rr~tD-
I ! f(Do6f1' mc ",,..ql1~~1o
, ~"}itlt?J1o h"}.ltv-9" suls as well as representatives of international or-
f''',.. "'.,.~ .('C~"i f~ OD1"lr:r"" lDh.flo1o ganizations and foreign states ar~peld liable;
"'ml<1: O"'l.rr'l-qTtD- ftD1"f,.&\~f-1o !
3) app1icationfor change of venue from one Federal High
C. Oi'h'" O"'l.lD(\~tD-OD.lPl""~1j': ~,. h""~ ft..~t,.A Court to another or to itself, in accordance with the law.
htj:+~ fj:C.(' 0."" tD~I\.It f &Jot,.&\ hfj:+~ fj:C~ 0.""
tD"'" tD.e.~n- h1.1ttftDC O"'l.4>C-o1'1<1:::
1W lif01f ~;J&"" ;JH.IIJ <II'I'e It: fl1-1;"" i .,.'} liifit~ ,.,... NegaritGazeta- No.13-151hFebruary1996- Page132

ii' flJ..~A m"'J\~ ~e,(- 0."" f~"'Q~ JPAIIJ'}

9. AppellateJurisdictionof the FederalSupreme Court
f~ m"'~ ~,(- 0."" f""l.h"'~ sf'~ O~"'Q~
The Federal SupremeCourt shallhave appellatejurisdic-
Mf"" JPAIIJ') ~lfl.'fA ! tion over:
Ii' flJ..~A h~"';;: ~e,(- 0."" OOD}!OD&1U'J{ JPAIIJ).
m-..,l fllmQ:fm-'} -Mf'~ ! 1) decisions of the Federal High Court rendered in its
fIrst instancejurisdiction;
K' flJ..~A h~"';;: ~e,(- 0."" O~"'Q~ ll""l.~"" JPAIIJ).
flJ..~A fOD}!OD&1U'J{ ~C,(- 0.+ hl1mm- m-..,l 2) decisions of the Federal High Court rendered in its
f.,.Af m-..,lfllmQ:fm-'} sf'~ II
appellatejurisdiction in variation of the decision of
the FederalFirst InstanceCourt.
I' flJ..~A m"'J\~~'(- 0."" fl1RCJPAIIJ')
10. Power of Cassationof theFederalSupreme Court
f IJ..~A m"'J\~ ~e,(- 0."" ODIPI.;J-ce fin fa..., ha..,.""
In caseswheretheycontainfundamentalerrorof law, the
IAQ:fm-'} f"7.,h.,.A-""'} -M"~ 0l10C Mf+ JPAIIJ'}
Federal Supreme Court, shall have the power of cas-
~lfl.'PA ! sation over:
Ii' f ~ ~.,.;;: ~,(- 0."" ~"'Q~ 1\U fODQ;1.I.i(
1) fmaldecisionsof the FederalHigh Court renderedin
m-..,l fl1mt1Tm-') -M"~!
its appellatejurisdiction;
K' f~A m"'J\~ ~ 0."" OD~O;;:~..,. fODQ;}.(.i(
2) fInal decisionsof the regular'divisionof the Federal
m-..,l fllmQ:fm-'} -Mf'~ !
SupremeCourt;
[. fbAA m"'~ ~ 0."" OD~O;;:~ OJ~'" O~'"
Q~ h,..,. fODQ;1.I.i(m-i\l fl1mQ:fm-'} -M"~ " 3) fInal decisions of the Regional Supreme Court
rendered as a regular division or in its appellate
jurisdiction.
h~A h~""
PART FOUR
hAIJ..~A h~"';;: ~C,(- o.+'i" fOD"OD&1
~1.'J{~e,(- 0."" f~~~+ JPAIIJ'} Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and First Instance Court

Iii' f40lo~A h~"';;: ~C,(- 0."" fOD"OD&1~~ f~+tIt -oth.C 11. First Instance Civil Jurisdiction of the Federal High
f~~~"" JPAIIJ'} Court
l). flJ..~A h~"';;: ~C,(- 0."" ..,,..;J-TOJ-h"',..h+ ODof-itu 1) The Federal High Court shall have fIrst instance
~ (~f itu) -OC OJ\~ Oil"),O""l.h.,.A-"" s,.~ t\~ fOD}! jurisdiction over the followingcivil cases involving
OD&1~~ f~~~"" JPAIIJ'}~lfl.'PA ! an amount in excess of Birr fIve hundred thousand
0) OflU h'P~ h'}.,.W ~ AIJ..~A m"'t\~ ~e,(- 0."" (500,000);
f.,.l1mOJ- JPAIIJ'} h,}~"'mO"'lflf' Oh'}.,.R' r h'i" (a) without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the
~ ODIPI."" O"7.,"'CO- flJ..~A f~""'" -oth.C Federal Supreme Court Qnderarticle 8 of this
-M"~ ! Proclamation, federal civil. cases submitted
A) OhJlh hOQ h'i" O'(-~'P m-h'l' O""l.~"" OA. pursuantto Articles3 and 5 herein;
f\o~ f~""tIt -oth.C sf'~ II
(b) other civil cases arising in Addis Ababa and
If' fflU h'}.,.W '}o-h h'}.,.W (Ii) (0) ,(-'};J1. O,lfC,.. . Dire Dawa.
f IJ..~A h~"';;: ~C,(- 0."" O"7.,h.,.A-+ sf'~ t\~
fOD1.OD&1~1.'J{f~~~"" JPAIIJ') ~lfl.'PA! 2) Notwithstandingthe provisions of sub-Article I (a)
hereof, the Federal High Court shall have fIrst
0) f..,Al1-o'A'" ,h"'~ ih..,'} (T~~iL+ h,1"'C'i""li'i"A
instancejurisdiction over the following civil cases:
I\<"OJ-)
O"7.ODAh-l: sf'~ !
A) H."'~"'" O""l.ODAh-l:-Mf'~ ! (a) cases regardingprivate intemationallaw;
tit) flJJ-6l!' 01C1 ~,(- OJ~'" -o~1 A",hUt,.. 0"7.,'" (b) cases regardingnationality;
e-o ho.-f:;J- ! (c) applicationregardingthe enforcementof foreign
OD) oa..., O"7.,mMOJ- ODIPI.+ h1,(-1 s~ hh1'(- judgements or decisions;
flJ..~A fOD}!OD&1~1.'J{ ~C,(- 0.+ m~ A.t\
(d) app\ications for change of venue from one
Federal First Instance Court to allother or to
fOD}!ODt-1 ~1.'J{ ~e,(- 0."" OJ~'" m~ ~....
itself, in accordancewith the law.
h1Jllfme O""l."'C-O'1'14: ::
12. FirstInstance CriminalJurisdictionof theFederalHigh
II' f40lo~A h~"';;: ~e,(- 0.+ fOD"OD&1~1.'J{ fOJ1"A Court
f~~~"" JPAIIJ1
The FederalHighCourtshallhavefIrstinstancejurisdic-
f 4o1o~A h~"';;: ~C,(- 0."" O"7.,h.,.A-"" -Mf':f J\~
tion over the followingcriminalcases:
foP"oP&1 ~1.'J{f~~~"" JPAIIJ1 ~lfl.'PA !
 1~liN}r ~:M"" ;'UII) ~+C Ir ft).1;T'?;_"'~liulitt,.~:9"'NegaritGaZeta,-No,13-15thFebruary 1996- P.age133
,~
li' flH.U~tp~ ~'}.,.~ Q'}o-li ~,}"'*(liH!l) (r) (t) 'he;(I)
fl+oot\h-t:"" flD'}J!A .,.~v-:y. ! -.:.. L 1) criminal cases specified under sub-Articles (1), (2), (3),
i{' fl~JLlI ~flll 'he; fl~t;.&;tp11.f.i1?m-lI'I' fl"7.~o-e; flP' &- (8) and (to) of article 4 hereof;
I\f. lIi\- t\.f\o"f ih..,:f t\h~+O;:~C~Jl."" flt()m flt\.f\o:f 2) other criminal cases arising in Addis Ababa and Dire
flD'}J!A .,..&;V-1-:: Dawa and -falling under the jurisdiction of the High
Ir' ftJo&-A h~+O;: ~C~ fl."" ff."'lI~ P'AII)" Court pursuant to other laws in force.

f4..Yo&-A h~+O;: ~C~ fl."" f~Y..(rA fooJ!oo/.1 .e.~jf 13. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Federal High CoUlt
~C~ fiT' f~maJ.'} m-..,). flf."'lI~ f'or,f"" P'AII)'} The" Federal High Court shan have appellate jurisdiction
f.lj~tpA:: ,', ' ovet decisions of the Federal First Instance Court.
" I

IQ' f4..Yo&-AfooJ!oo'l,f .e.~jf ~C~ fl."" f~""th -flthoCf~~~"" 14. Civil Jurisdiction of the Federal First InstanceCoUlt
P' A II)'} ,. The Federal First Instance Court shall have jurisdiction over
f 4..Yo&-AfooJ! 00/.1 .e.~jf ~C~ fl."" "'9" ;t'Tm- 'hllh -flC the following civil cases involving an amount not in excess
'~9"lI"" 00'" iLu (?;f iLu .fIC) fi"7..e.ClI,lDf.9" "'9";l'Tm- of Birr five hundred thousand (500,000) or over civil cases
the value of which cannot be expressed in money:
fl1'}U-fl f).+oo'} fl07f.:fA fl"7.h+i\-"" ",~v-,:f I\f. fooJ!
00/.1 .e.~jf f~""th -flthoCf'&;~~"" P'AII)'} f.lj ~tpA ! 1) ...without prejudice to the jurisdictions of the Federal
Ii' fllf.U ~ tp~:, ~,}"'?t', t 'he; ~ ,}"'w Ili (i{) ft4..YoIrA Supreme court and High court under Article 8 and sub-
m:"l\f. ~C~ fl...,.e; h~+O;: ~C~ fl."" f+()mm- Article (2) of Article 11 hereof, federal civil cases
P'AII)'} 'h'}.e.+mfl.,. (flj ; fl~,}"'~ r 'h'; ?; OOlP~"" submitted pursuant to articles 3 and 5 of this
Proclamation;
flDIJ.cf!Co-ftJo&-A f~""th -flthoC ",'&;V-1-;
i{' flih.., t\t\.it>'f~t)I\""f+()mm:.; f'&;~~"" P!AII)'} 'h'}.e.+ 2) without prejudice to judicial power vested in other
mfl.,. (flj f O~JL'" ~fllle; fl~~tp hof'O'l'm-lI'I' fl"7.~O- organs by law, other civil cases arising inAddis Ababa
flt\.fto:f fiJ:..,.", -flthoC .,.J;v-i' :: ' and Dire Dawa.

I?;' f4..Yo&-A fooJ!oo/.1 .e.~jf ~C~ fl."" flD'}J!A f~~~"" 15. Criminal Jurisdiction of the Federal First Instance CoUlt
I
P'AII)'} "
The Federal First Instance Court shall have jurisdiction over
I ftJo&-A fODJ!oo/.1 .e.~jf ~C~ fl.:" fl"7.h+i\-"" flD1J!A the following criminal cases:
~v-:f I\f. fooJ!oo/.1 .e.~jf f'&;~~""P'AII)'} f.lj~tpA; 1) criminal cases specified under sub-Articles (4) (5) (6)
I li' flH.U~tp~ ~,}"',~ Q'}o-li ~1"'~ (Q)(?;) (i) (?;) 'he; (it) (7) and (9) of article 4 hereof;
fl+oofth-t:"" flD'}J!A ~v-:f ;
2) without prejudice to judicial power vested in other
i{' flih~ {\t\.f\o~~t)I\"" f+arnm- f'&;~~""P'A1I)1 'h'}.e.+ organs by law, other criminal cases arising in Addis
mfl.,. (flj ; fl~Jlll ~flll 'he; X:'~tp hof'O'l m-lI'I' Ababa and Dire Dawa as well as other criminal cases
fl"7.~ e; flP'&- I\f. lIi\- t\.f\o:f :I1..,:f'l\~m-Irjfe; t\lD~.&; under the jurisdictions of Awraja and Woreda Courts
~C~ fl..,.:f fl+()m flt\.f\o:f flD'}J!A -,...;v-:f:: pursuant to other laws in force.
PART FIVE
h~A ~9"lI"" The Presidents of Federal Courts
lift tJo&-A ~C~ fl..,.:f T &.H.~'}.,.:f
16. Powers and Duties of the President of the Federal Supreme
CoUlt
Ii' ftJo&-A m:"J\f. ~C'~ fl."" TMt..&;''''' P'AII)'}e; .,...,lIC
1) The President 'of the Federal Supreme Court shall be
li' ftJo&-A m:"l\f. ~C~' fl."" T&.IOn"" fl:l1..,
responsible for the administration of Federal Courts in
accordance with the law.
OOlP~"" f tJo&-A '~C~fl."':f') ftD7l1+~.e.c ~I\k
f.(fe; A ::' ' 2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-Article (1)
i{' fH.U ~'}.,.~ '}o:it ~'}.,.~ (li) ~m,4>l\f. ~~;J1C 'h'}.e.+ hereof, the President of the Federal Supreme Court
shall:
mfl'" (flj f f tJo&-A m:"l\f. ~C~ fl.""T &.H.~'}"";
(a) in consultation with the Federal High Court and
V) ftJo&-A ~C~ n..,.:f'} .&;7f:fh~A h~+O;: ~C~
the Federal First Instance.Court, place, assign and
fl."" 'he; htJo&-A fooJ!oo/.1 .e.~ ~C~ fl."" ;JC
administerjudges of Federal Courts;
floooot)hC f..e.ft~~A; P'&- f.()II)A f Il1+'&;~&-A ;
(b) in consultation with the Presidents of the Federal
t\) t\tJo&-A ~ci- n..,.:f ~lI~.I\1. f(f). lP&-+7f1-'}
High Court and the Federal First Instance Court,
htJo&-A h~+O;: ~C~ fl."" 'he; htJolrA fooJ!
employ personnel necessary for Federal Courts;
00/.1 ~ ~C~ fl."" T &.H..&;'}.,.:f
;J,C floooot)hc
f."''I' &-A;

~
1~lifC!) ~;J~"" ;Jtf.1IJ~1'C Ir f't-t""f: +1 Iiifit~ ,}'9".NegaritGazeta-No.13-15thFebruaryI996-Page134

,h) fUv~1A tf:C.(-0..,.1-1 ""',(-'1' 01:"" hU;J~ i\;"1I{I (c) prepare and submit to the House of Peoples'
+m'tf'1- 9"hC 0."" f+CfllA I fLO.(-"'9" P'~ 1\,. Representatives the work plan and budget of
f(J)ol\IA! f4..1..~tA1i tf:C.(- 0..,.1-1 f.';~~"" P'A1IJ1 Federal Courts and implement same upon approval,
O(J)ohlA'i i\D7."'? fhAIA 'tf:C.(-' 0..,.1- f01:"" OI/'t'ti'f forward his opinion on requests for budgetary
1'f<l: fL+C{I hit+ff1:1 "i'lIlJA ! subsidy to regional Courts exercising federal juris-
oP) f4..1..~AI11"'I\fitf:C.(- 0."" f;".., oPK'm."" h1.1lU;J~ diction by delegation;
f1.C;J1A ! (d) cause the publication of the law journal of the
Federal Supreme Court;
11') iti\ Uv~1A tf:C.(- 0..,.1- P'~ Oit.+it-thit f+f..1L
(e) cause the preparation of statements regarding the
oP"'i\66}.h1.~U;J~ ff..C;JA I fhAA tf:C.(- 0..,.1- activities of Federal Courts and the submission of
fUv~1A -H;f;'J-1 hitoPlAh.,.itl\h'im)."" +..,flC Oit.+ reports on the activities of regional courts concer-
it-thit f+f..1L ~;rc"" h1.1l+C{I ff..C;J1A !
ning Federal cases, as supported by statistical data;
t:) f.';7f:ft; fi\.fti>1-IPt.+7f1- ""9"UC""'i P'Am'i fD7.'t~.(- (f) facilitate conditions for the education and training of
0"'" 'v.t.+ foP;F;FA ! judges and other personnel;
('\) OhlAlA iti\D7.'+~ f 4..1..~A 1-.';f'1- foP1I1{1 hf f1l'i (g) in consultation with Regional Courts, work out ways
m.,.I\I\ hlP~C hhlAlA tf:C.(- 0."" ;JC OoPoo'thC for improving the records management and general
fD7.i'fi'fIAO"'" v.t.+ foo;F;FA I ' practices of Regional Courts as relating to federal
if) iti\Uv~1A tf:C.(- 0..,.1- f.';~~"" P't. h't~.(- i\;"1I{I cases heard thereat;
TlD'tf'1- 9"hC 0."" 1''1'.+1 U1fl9l1-1 f+CfllA ! (h) submit, to the House of Peoples' Representatives,
+) ""9"UC.+'f flY), ftJOO1: tf:CJl.'f'i (J)ol}i9l'f1-ooCm(J)o researched reports on the judicial' activities of
h1.1l'++oo- ff..C;J1A ! Federal Courts;
(i) cause the $election and publication of instructive
0) f+hl\'t,. mO~1-1 o.c- ff../r.~1A !
judgements and decisions of the year;
+ ) 0;"'" fD7.i'lm-"'" i\.fto'f +.., flc-'ffh'i (J)olj"
A II
(j) organize the public defence office;
If:' f4..lo~1A m.,.I\,. tf:c.(- 0."" 9"h""lA 1t-fl..';1"" (k) perform such other duties as may be entrusted to him
f u..~1A m"'I\,. tf:C.(- 0."" 9"h""lA I t-fl..';1"" ! by law.

Ii' OTt-fl..';11: fD7.oo~i\"'" P'/r. fh'i(J)o'i1A I 17. The Vice-President of the Federal Supreme Court
!{. f4..Y..~1:\ m"'I\,.tf:C.(- 0."" Tt-fl..';1"" OOl/,.tfcO""1.tf. The Vice-President of the Federal Supreme Court shall:
T t-fl..';11:1 +h.,. "1P/r.A II 1) discharge duties to be assingd to him by the
President;
I~' iti\ 4..1..~1A htf:+f tf:C.(- 0.""Ij" f 4..1../r.1A foo1: oo~f f..t:~ 2) serve in the President's stead, while he is absent.
tf:C.(- 0."" Tt-fl..';1"'1- P'AIIJ1'i +..,flC
18. Powers and Duties of the Presidents of the Federal High
fftf:C.(- 0.1: T t-H..';1""! Court and First Instance Court
Ii' tf:C.(- 0.1:1 ,.mhl\lA! The Presidentof each Court shall:
g. f4..1..~1A m.,.I\,. tf:C.(- 0."" I t-fl..';1"" OD7.i'lm(J)o 1) representthe court;
oPoP~f OOIPt:T.ftf:C.(- 0.1:1,p~+7f'f fit+.';'(-~IA! 2) administer personnel of the Court subject to direc-
,

r' iti\ tf:C.(- 0.1: Oit'+""it-t~it f+f..1L OO..,i\66}.

h1.1lU;J~ tives to be given by the President of the Federal
f1.C;J1A ! Supreme Court;
. ftf:C.(- 0.1:1 ".,. Y:Li 01:"" hU ;J~'" i\4..1o/r.1Am.,.I\,. 3) cause the preparation of statements, supported by
tf:C.(" 0."" T t-fl..';1"" f+CflA I fLL+.(-9" P' /r. 1\" statistical data, regarding the activities of the Court;
f (J)ol\IA ! 4) prepare and submit to the President of the Federal
?;. ""9"UC.+'f flY), ff,}oo1: tf:CJl.'f'i (J)ol}t9l'f +OOCm(J)o Supreme Court the work plan and budget of the
i\4..1o~1A m"'I\,. tf:C.(- 0."" Tt-fl..';1"" h1.1ll\h- Court and implement same upon approval;
ff..C;J1A ! 5) cause the selection, and sumbission to the President
i.iti\ P'~(J)o h1:,.it:J>(1.Of1.tf.(J)olt~1..~1A m"'I\,. tf:C.(-
of the Federal Supreme Court, of instructive jud-
0."" T t-fl..';1"" ~;rc"" f+CfllA !
gements and decisions of the year; ,

6) submit to the President of the Federal Supreme Court

ft. 0;"'" fD7.i'lm-"'" i\.fto'f +..,flc-'f fh'i(J)o'i1A II
periodic reports on the activities of the Court;
7) perform such other duties as may be entrusted to him
htf:A It.(-lt''''
by law.
iti\ 4..1..~1A tf:C.(- n,."'1- hf..t:~1:""'i f.';~~"" P'~ h't~.(- PART SIX
FederalCourtStructureand theAdministrationof Justice
Iii' f 4..1o~1A m:"I\,. tf:C.(-o...,. .';7f'f'i i\.fto1-liJt.+7f1-
Ii' f4..lo~1A m"'I\Wtf:C.(- 0.""h11: 1t-fl..';1"" I h11: 19: Judges and Other Personnel of the Federal Supreme
9"h""lA Tt-fl..';1"" h1.1lo-9" i\P'/r.(J)o hilLI\1. flY), Court
.';7f'f ,.tf~'+A II
1) The Federal Supreme Court shall have a President, a
!{. f4..1../r.1A m"'I\,. tf:C1: 0."" i\P'~(J)o fD7.filLA1- Vice-President and the necessary judges.
1P~+7f'f ,.tf~'+1A II 2) The Federal Supreme Court shall have the personnel
necessary for its function.
1K' ~fc9?; ~:M"" ;JtLllJ ~1'C/n: ft}i;-r 'k ct') ;Iufit;5'~'9'".NegaritGazeta-No.13-l5thFebruray 1996- Page 135

~. f t..Y-o~/.\mefi\~q:C.(' o.-r';fl\".,."f .
20. DiVisions of the Federal Supreme Court
~. f&Jo~/.\ mefi\,e 1j:C.('o.-r f"7.h+H "fH"f W:...:r/.\!
u) f~""ch .och.C "fl\"-r 1) The Federal Supreme Court shall have:
It) ftD')~/.\ "fl\"-r ! 'he; (a) a Civil Division;
ch) f P' ~ hctlc "fl\"-r I; . (b) a Criminal Division; and
(c) a Labour Division.
g. 0'h1')~')~ "fl\"-r h').(' (a.oI}OS V-It-r ~~"f 1f~(I)<
2) There spall sit a presiding judge and two other judges,
!~"f~~11 , in each division.
f. ft..Y-o~/.\ mefi\,e ~C.(' o.-r Tt.IL~')-r tD,e9'" 9'"h-r/.\
3) The President or the Vice-President of the Federal
~ T;:.tt~1-r O~e;TlD-~ 'fl\"-r (a.ol}{1. Iflf lLlP~
Supreme Court may preside over any division.
,e'fi\/'\II
21. Division with not less than Five Judges
1) The President of the Federal Supreme Court may on
.his own initiative or suggestion by a division of the
~~. hh9'"~-r 1i\~"" ~~"f ~1t"7.(afOO-O-r
"fl\"-r Federal Supreme Court or where one of the parties so
~. ft..f...~~ lIlcfi\,elf;C.('-o.-r Tt.tt~')-r O~ h~41i~"" petitions direct a case to be heard by a division with
tD,e9'" Ot..Y-o~/.\ mefi\,e ~C.(' o.-r "fl\"-r hl}l}{1.~-r not less than five judges sitting.
tD,e9'" h+h~t)~ tD1lf"f f1,)~ 1'1cJ: ft.ctc.fllt-r h,).(',) 2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-Article
.,.~,e hh9'"il-r 1i\ ~ ~~"f +(a,eOD(I)< 'h')JtI~-r (1) of this Article, the following cases shall be heard
1tOT/
.('l , ,e"fi\A II . by a division with not less than five judges sitting:
g. OttU h,)ctK' ')O-~ h,)ctK' (~) f+.e.~11lD"'h')~+mOct (a) cases falling under the first instance jurisdiction
Iflf ~ ct1'l\" f+Hl.H r .,.~v-"f f"7.:r~-r hh9'"~-r of the Federal Supreme Court;
1i\ ~ ~~"f O+(afoo-O-r "fl\""" ,elfe;/.\ ! (b) cases relating to a provision of law having
caused a fundamental difference in inter-
u) ft..Y-o~/.\ m:"i\,e ~C.(' o.-r OOD~OD~1.e.l.~ f"7.1
IT(I)< .,.~~"f ! pretation amongst divisions of the Federal
Supreme Court;
It) 04..j.'.,~/.\ l11efi\,e ~C.(' o.-r "frr-.,."f ODt}h/.\
(c) cases referred to under article 10 of this
ODIP~:r'C flf~ f-rC.,.9'" /.\~~-r f+Lml.n-r') ;r,...,
Proclamation, where determined that they be
f"7.oPlth-l: .,.~v-"f ft.h~i: ! heard in cassation.
ch) OttU h'P~ h,)ctK' I f+mct""-r .,.~v-"f O(aOC
'h')Jt(aOO- ft.(D(a') II 22, ApplicationProcedurefor Cassation
1) A decisionshallbe heard in cassationby the Federal
~g. f(aOC ho.-I::r hctt.l..o P'~ P'C~-r SupremeCourt,pursuantto article 10herein,subject
~. h,).(' (I)<""~ OttU h'P~ h,)ctK' I OD.IPl.-r O&Jo~/.\ to prior ruling as to the existence of fundamental
mefi\,e ~C.(' o.-r O(aOC f"7.nOT/(I)<h~ct.('tp' Y'~-r error of law qualifying for cassation, by a division
fm:"i\,e ~C.(' o.-r ~~"f f+(af~n-r 'fl\"-r (I)<"'~(I)< wherein threejudges of the Federal Supreme Court
It(aOC r"7.1o:J> ODIPl.:t'.'C.f;r,..., ~U+-r hltO-r .otto sit.
ft.tD~') ~(I)<II 2) The applicantfora hearingin cassationshallstatethe
g~ ~~ O(aOC'h')Jt:r,eIt-r f"7.L/.\..., ho.-I:.+ heft.{1. .,.~~ reasons for alleging the decision t6 contain a
ODIPl.:r'Cf;r,..., ~U+-r hltO-r f"7./.\O-r') 9'"h')1-r fundamentalerror of law.
OOT/OD/.\h:r(l)<
i\,e O'HC'HCK'G:OT/efl..ohltO-r II 3) The applicant shall together with his application
(. ho.-r f1~ hOT/OD/.\h:r(l)<O+a;a.OT/~.,e""f1~f+f1ltO-r') submit a copy of the decision protested and of the
(1)<'"~e; f o:r"f ~C.(' 0."" (1)<'"~ :":(,.'f') OT/
efl..o decisionsof lower courts.
hltO-r11 4) An application for a hearing in cassation shall be
!!. f(aOC 1'1cJ:.OT/OD/.\h:rltt..f...t./A mefi\,e ~C.(' o.-r made to the Federal SupremeCourt wihtin 90 days
OD:"l..o f"7.1f1(1)<f(aOC 1'1cJ: O"7.ctC.oO-r .,.~,e i\,e fromthedateon whichthefinal d~ision protestedis
fOD6Q,l.if (I)<"'~O+(am nHme; ct') lJ)c~1' ,erre;/.\ II rendered.

~(. ft..Y-o~/.\ h~+~e; fOD~OD~1 .e.l.~ ~C.(' o..,."f "fl\".,."f

23. Divisions of the FederalHigh Court and FirstInstance
Court
~. ft..f...~/.\ h~+~CjfOD~OD~1 .e.l.~ fj:C.(' o..,.'f!
1) The Federal High Court and the Federal First
u) f~-rch.och.C 'ftto-r ! Instance Court shall have:
It) ftD')~/.\ 'ftto"" ! 'he; <
(a) a Civil Divison;
ch) fP'~ hchc 'fl\"-r ! (b) a CriminalDivison; and
,elf ~T'P /.\ II (c) a Labour Division.
g. 0'h1')~')~ "ftto-r h').(' (a.ol}{1.e; v-It-r ~~'f 1f~(I)< 2) There shallsit a presidingjudge andtwo otherjudges,
1~"fi\~ II in each division.
1)t lif@j; 'l;J~-r ;JUlQ ~1'C It fl1-t-r % 4'1 Hifit~ ,}.9".NegaritGazeta~No., 13~ 15thFebruary 1996- Page 136

t. f ~fo?-fA htt:+'1 tt:c.(' o.-r T t.tl~1-r lDf.9" 9"tJ-rfA 3) The President and Vice-President of the Federal High
Tt.tl~1-r fftt:C.(' o..y.:FrlD-:ff\o.y.:f ('111"0. 1f'llD- Co~rt may preside over any divisioD"of thei{ respective
I\.fl?- f.:fi\/r :: Courts. ' ,

It'g. ll/\O?ll:F, Ftt:?- 24. Place of sittings

Ii. f~fo?-fA m-Pi\f. tt:c.(' o.-rfO?O:Ff Ftt:t. X"tll XOfl 1) The Federal Supreme Court shall sit in Addis Ababa.
f.lflf' fA ::
2) The Federal High Court and the Federal First
I. f~fo?-fA htt:+'1 tt:c.(' o..y.:flf' fOo"f..(TD~'f.ljf tt:c.(' Instance Court shall sit in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa
o..y.:f fO?ll:F, Ftt:t:- OX"tllhOfl h-f'O'i . O.('t.~tp
and'in such other places as lTIay,be det~rmined in
h+O? 'hlf' 0~1 001:,'/vi: ~14'~ G'~ (~) OOl/.lD(}'llD- accord'ance with Article 78 (2) of the Copstitution.
oolPlT f.lflf'fA :: . "

3) A Federal Court of any level may, where it finds it

t. OfT'1lD-9" 'hch1 i\f.f0l/.1~ fJ..fo?-fA tt:c.(' o.T
necessary for the efficient rendering of justice, hold
.,.fAlQ4- tt:.pih /\oollmT XllLi\1. Iflf 1111lD- /\~~'l-r
circuit hearings in any place within the Region or
F?- O+oof.O/\T tJlAfAlDf.'9"XI1f1o.O0?1'1lD-9" lltt:t.
area designated for its jurisdiction.
"'UtplD-~I\.'ll:ffA f.:fi\fA::
25. Working Language of Federal Courts
It'~. f ~fo?-fAtt:c.(' o..y.:ff F?- *'*
1) AmParic shall be the working language of Federal
Ii. f~?-fA tt:C.('{kf:f f:ff\o-r*'*XO?C'1 f.lflf'fA:: Courts.
I. fXO?C'1*'* /\O?,.:ffAfI/\"'~f. tt:C.('o.i: Xll+C~OI/.
f.oo M/\:t'fA :: 2) The Court shall providean interpreterto a party who
does not understandAmharic.
t;'?;. 0..,fA)t :ff\o.p ll/\O?O:FfA
26. OpenHearing
Ii. tt:c.(' o..y.:fi\ih1l11..,fA)tOrr'l u.~:t' ,ll:fi\/r ::
I. OtllJ X14')t 1o.ll X14'". (Ii) f+oo/\h+lD- o.IfC9". 1) All,cases shall be heard in open court.
/\~~'l.p XlP?-C X..,fll1'l.p 1i\r~, f F'l FC'}-r ih1:f 2) Notwithstandingthe provisions of sub-Article (1)
'h1f.+mO~ 1f'llD- . htllJ 4'1'f\o f+oo/\hi:T u.~:t'9>:f hereof"and without prejudice .to procedural laws
fl., ;J1'OO<01l..,:ff\o-r,o:fi\/r ! relevant to adjudication, cases may be heard in
u) /\ih1l11lf' /\001..,F-r fli\9"lf' 81':t' XllLi\1. fl.lf1 . camera in considerationof the following:
lDf.9" (a) public and state safety and security: or
/\) /\ih1l11 oofAl19" mflf. lDf.9" ..,l1l111'l-r fl.flfA
(b) public morality and decehcy.
XllLi\1. Iflf fl.1~ ::
27. Withdrawal of Judges
~. f~7f:f h:ff\o.p OO'l"T
6. X1.(' f~fo?-fA tt:C.(' o.-r 1) No judge of a Federal Court shall sit in any case
~ , ~'1 htllJ 4'1'f\o h+oo/\hi:T where: .
9"h1,.y.:f OX1~ h:ff\oT "'l"fA !
(a) he is related to one of the parties or the advocate
u) ~'1lD- h+h?-I1~9>:t: hX1f.'1lD-lD11 lDf.9" hmO:J>lD-
thereof by consanguinity or by affinity;
;JC f F;J lDf.9" f ;J11:F119"1:'1 f/\lD- 'h1f.1f'l !
(b) the dispute relates to a case in which one of the
I\) ~'1lD- h+h?-I1~9>:t: fX1~~lD-lD11 """'tlT. 'l1l L"f:
parties is Ja person for whom he acted as tutor,
lDf.9" mO:J> OIf'lOT "~f. i\f. f+'l" tJCtJC flf'l
'h1f.1f'l !
legal representative or advocate;

tit) ~'1lD-hChC f+'l..,OT1 "'~f. Xll.,..('qP O~~'l-r (c) he' has previously acted in some capacity in
lDf.9" ObC-P 0011.(' ,flD- lDf.9" fOl/.flD-"'lD- Iflf
connection with the case or the subject matter
f+11 'h1f.1f'l !
of the dispute; ,

(d) he has a case pending in court with one of the

00) ~'1lD- h+h~'J~9>:t: lD11f:f hX1f.'1lD- lDf.9"
hmO~lD- ?C Ott:C.('.~T f,+'U tJCtJC lDf.9" parties or the advocate thereof;
00<'" -r , /\ lD- 'h1 f.1f '1 ! (e) there are sufficient reasons, other than iliose
htllJ Oi\f. h(U) 'hllh, (00) h+oo/\hi:T 9"tJ1,.y.:f
lP)
specified under sub-Article (1) (a) to (d)
lD-6f.bTtJh/\'1 tt:Tih Xf.fl1'9" fOl/.ffl~ /\.i\ oct hereof, to conclude that injustice may be done.
9"h1'.p f\.IfC :: 2) The judge concerned shall withdraw as soon as he is
I. OtllJ X1"')t 1o.il X14')t (Ii) oolPl:" ~'1lD-o:ff\o-r i\f. aware that he should not sit, in accordance with sub-
1\."'001' fO?f.1f1lD-001f~1 fl.'lD--P h:ff\oT +'lll.y. t\.i\ Article (1) hereof, and shall be replaced by another
~'1 oo"'I1T X/\OT :: judge.
It'~. ~'1 h:ff\o.p 'h1"t '1" ll/\O?oofAh-r 28. Application for Removal of a Judge
Ii. h"'h?-I1~9':f X1f.'1(l)c OX14')t lJ'%tUlU?--r 9"tJ1 1) Where a party to a case is of the opinion that a judge
,.y.:f00 lP l.p X1 .(' ~ '1h:ff\o-r00 '1".p f0i/.1 fllD-00 llf\o should not sit for one of the reasons specified in
f:t'flD- 'h1f.1f'l 'h1"t'l"/\-r /\tt:C.(' o.i: O?oofAh:F Article 27 hereof, he shall submit a written ap- e

O?-Pll1 f.:fi\fA :: plication to the court requesting that the judge be

removed.
I

I 1X' lift9% ~:M"" ;JUIIJ 4:'I'C If flt-t"" % .,.'} I!!fitt ~'9'" NegaritGazeta~No. 13-15thFebruary 1996- Page 137

~. tPJ00 A h:FCD- f"7. .,. CO CD- ncncr hOD 1: oocr O,{...,.

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h.'1t.;JC f.m:J>t\i\&\:: ~1C..,1 ~C~ 0.1: tPJooAh:FCD-1 30. Penaltyfor Application Without Good Cause
+1Q. of.~t\9"' OtPJt\""Itf..,.Ot\CD-h"'l f'Pe;CD-1~1C
(J)clf).""Itf.oo t\h..,. h. '1 t.CD-1f"7. h~t\ CD-tPJ00Ah:FCD-1 hereof without good cause the court may, in addition to
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00 If cr1 2) The application shall be made before the trial opens or
soon after the party becomes aware of the reason for
making such an application.
3) Where the judge is sitting alone he shall, after
considering the 'application, either withdraw or refer
the matter for decision to another division of the
same court or, where there is no other division, to the
tPJia+i\t\~ court in which appeal lies from the decision of his
court.
4) Where the judge is sitting with other judges, he shall
withdraw and the remaining judge or judges shall
hear the application and give a decision thereon.
5) A decision given under sub-Articles (3) and (4)
hereof shall be final and subject to no appeal.
ftPJ.et1AO""
6) Ajudge shall forthwith comply with a decision given
tinder this Article.
29. Costsof Application
The costs of applicatiqn under Article 28 hereof shall
formpartofthe costsin thecase.Wherethe applicationis
dismissed, however, the costs shall be borne by the
applicantirrespectiveof the outcomeof the case.
Where a party.'.makesan application under Article 28
dismissingthe application,impose a fine not exceeding
Birr five hundred (500).
PART SEVEN
The Plenum of the Federal Supreme CouIt
31. Plenum of the FederalSupreme CouIt
The Federal Supreme Court shall have a Federal
SupremeCourt Plenum (hereinafter"the Plenum.")
32. Members of thePlenum
I) The membersof.the Plenum shall be the President,
the Vice-President and judges of the Federal
Supreme Court, the Presidentsof the Federal High
Court and the Federal First Instance Court and the
.Presidentsof Regional SupremeCourts.
2) The Minister of Justice shall participate in the
sessions of the Plenum without, however, having
the.rightto vote.
3) Judges not referred to under sub-Article (1) hereof
and representativesof appropriate government of-
fic~s,associations,organizations,law faculties,and
t Iflf9"' scientific institutions or other individuals may be
invited to participate in the Plenum without,
however, having the right to vote.
.,~ fif@=s ~,;:J~"" ,;:JH.lIJ ~'I'c Ii: ft]-f:"":t .,., Iitfif=s q.9".N~garitGazeta - No. 13~ 15thFebIJlary1996- Page 138

c!jr' f.,.qq..lD- FAlI)'}CJ'-+..,qC

.,.qq..lD-htLtJ f"th+I\-"-'" FAlI)1CJ' +..,qC'~ ~lf...:l'A :; 33. Powers and Duties of the Plenum
Ii' O~~~..-".F&- nil+~1.C l11: q;Jm{lDo~"'C'~ I\f. The Plenum shall have the following powers and duties:
+CDlf,'" oP~"-"'m.oPilm"-'"t 1) to deliberate on problems encountered in the adminis-
~. f~f.,&-A ~C1: o..,.~ f~~~"-'" nlP&-C1 ltOl/7i7iA tration of justice and work out remedies thereto;
f"7.lJ;. oPoPtl,,"fCJ' lD-lt~,,~'} OI/ltlt~ t 2) to examine and ~pprove directives and decisions that
r' n~-'til :h''''f~'}-'tCDffic CDf,9"~qC :h1~ ~ '}-'t7i7iI\- help improve the judicial practices of Federal Courts;
It:h1l11 +CDt)f"~ 9"tJC 0."-'"YPll1O?c}ll1 t 3) to submit proposals to the House of Peoples'
!!. f~~~"-'" F&- ht)~1:,} ltOl/"'l\m~CJ' ltOl/mCJ'hC Representatives for the enactment of new laws or the
f"7.lJ;. t\.lr>~ +..,q& ".'} OI/hCJ'CD'}
t ~CJ'
amendment of existing ones;
4) to perform such other functions as help to make the
~. It.,.qq..lD- F&- ntc,09" niltcl\1.lD-'} 1.,}11 OI/lD-lIJ"-"'::
judiciary efficient and strong; and
5) to issue regulations necessary for the proper carrying
c!j!!' f.,.qq..lD- nlP&-C out of its duties.
Ii' f~f.,&-A/ mc}l\f, ~C1: 0."-'" T&.tf.~'}"-'" f.,.qq..lD- 34. Working Procedure of the Plenum
(}l1ltfl f,1fC;A :: 1) The President of the Federal Supreme Court shall be
~. .,.qq..lD- f & ') 0"'4. f,oP 1:qA :: the Chairman of the Plenum.
r' .,.qq..lD- OqoP..-".h'}1: 1.H. f,(}O(}qA :; hiltcl\1. Iflf 2) The Plenum shall designate its own Secretary.
f1.1~ +{J,1,OI/t ill1(}q9" oP'I'&-"-'"f,~I\A :: 3) The Plenum shall convene once a year; additional
!!. h.,.qq..lD- nql\"-'" Irlt"-'" Y"'il+;;:lD- h+1"F 9"Aq+ meetings may be called as necessary.
4) Two-thirds of members of the Plenum shall constitute
.,.qt.. f,1fCJ'A :: lD-PI~01:9"R' l1A65J.~(}lI)A:; 1:9"R'
a quorum. Decisions shall be adopted by a majority
~h-A lt~h-A O+htclt 1.H. f.,.qq..lD- (}l1ltfl CDlt~
vote; in case of a tie, the Chairman shall have a casting
1:9"R' f,lf l"A :: vote.

tJ~A ilM"-'" PART EIGHT

A ~ A ~ 1:,) ;J'l."~ MiscellaneousProvisions

c!j~. f~C1: 0."-'" lD-PI~"~CJ' "-"'()tftl~ 35. Decisionsand Ordersof FederalCourts

Ii' OOl/CJ'TlD-9" 1.l)f f"7.1"F f ~f.,&-A ~C1: o..,.~ 1) FederalCourtsof any levelmay order that decisions
f"7.(}tp.TlD- lD-PI~"~CJ' "-"'()tftl~ OtJAA ~C1: and orders given by them be enforced by Regional
o..,.~ ~ '}-'ttc~{IDof ~f.,&-I\- ~C1: o..,.~ 01/"11 Courts.
f,~1\1\- :: 2) Wheretwoor moreRegionalor FederalCourtsclaim
~. n,}1:,} "'~f, Irlt"-'"CDf,9"htf.1 Ol\f, ftJAA CDf,9" or disclaim jurisdiction over a case, the Federal
f~f.,&-A ~C1: o..,.~ FAlI)CJ'~,} ~lD-l1ltlD-fln-"-'" Supreme Court shall give the appropriate order
thereon.
CDf,9"FAlI)CJ'~,} nf,1.lt9" 11"lD-foPlt"""-'"~,}1.If~
f ~f.,&-A mc}l\f, ~C1: o.:f. +., fllD-'} "-"'()tf1l 36. Pending Cases
oPilm"-'"f,~I\A:: Cases pendingin CentralCourts as well as in the Courts
c!ji' O~C1:o.:" OoP:l'f"-'"I\f, ill\l\- ~f"~ of Region 14 and Dire Dawa, prior to.the coming into
force of this Proclamation, shall be transferred to the
f,1J n"~ hoPR'CJ'-I:04."-'" OOl/c)hl\'e ~C1: o..,.~ Federal Courts having jurisdiction pursuant to
~'}-'tIr9" OtJAA I!! ~CJ'01:&.~" ~C1: o..,.~ OoP:l'f"-'" provisionsherein.
I\f, II\- ~f"~ 0tf.1J n"~0+1.~11lD- oPlPl"-'"FAll)'}
37. RepealedandInapplicableLaws
CD~I\TlD-f~f.,&-A ~C1: o..,.~ +tflD-llD- f,:l'11\- :: 1) The Central Government Courts Establishment
c!j:t. f+7i... :hr)~CJ'+tc~"7.~"-'"Mf,lf&-TlD-:h1~ ProclamationNo. 40/1993 (as amended)is hereby
Ii' M()hl\'e f7i..,..,C oP'}..,F"-'"~1: o..,.~ ltOl/cJ:cJ:9" repealed.
2) Any law inconsistent or dealing with matters
fCDlI)lD-n"~ <k1'C ~/Iufit~ (~,}1.+7i7ilt) 0tf.1J provided for under this Proclamation shall be
n"~ +1i~A ::
inapplicable.
~. f,1J'} n"~ f"7.:J>l,} CDf,9" 0tf.1J n":E- f+1itc).
~f"~,} f"7.oPlth"-'" OI/C;TlD-9":h..., +tc~"7.~"-'"
nf,lf llD-9" ::
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!.,WiI0D ~;I~"" ;IlL,.. -Ir'I'CIt:fII-t"" i +'J IDf1t~ ~.".NegaritGazeta-No.13-15I11February 1996- Page 139
I .
38. Effective Date
it. ~ '-tfJ'iO+
"., Ji"~ h'''-I:+ I +"JItlffl ~.fD"/.fDr:''''i ""'iIA" 1 This Proclamationshallcome intoforce asof the 15111
day
of Febroary, 1996.

Ji JiOq '''-1:+ I +,Itlfitt ~.fD Done at Addis Ababa, this 15111

day of Febroary, 1996.

,./c ~;J(\....... NEGASO GIDADA (DR.)

'J\.+f'1r1 ~' ..."'h~8\1' tTofIA.h PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC

-T~II."'+ REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

-ncn'iM,.., , ~~+ ;I-+-

BERHANENA SELAM PRINTING ENTERPRICE