Country:Congo

Director:Mesmer Rufin Mbou Mikima

Program:African Panorama

Summary:

Although common law is not recognized in Congolese law, it is still firmly rooted in all strata of society. The population adheres to the procedures that are governed by rituals and were passed on from one generation to the next. The modern, official courts of justice have no choice but to grin and bear it. The judges in the common law courts might look like their more official counterparts, but in reality they are unschooled and donate their services voluntarily. The film depicts a number of cases in which emotionally sensitive family disputes are settled in common law court.