Publication of the New Administrative Procedure Code in the Official Bulletin

The new Code of Administrative Procedure was published on 20 April 2026 by Legislative Decree No. 1/2026 and will come into force on 4 January 2027. This legislation represents the most far-reaching reform of the administrative justice system in Cape Verde since 1983, replacing the former Decree-Law No. 14-A/83, which had been in force for more than four decades.

The old system, based on an outdated model of mere annulment proceedings, no longer met the requirements of the 1992 Constitution or the standards of modern states governed by the rule of law. The new CPA-CV gives clear and ambitious effect to the principle of effective judicial protection enshrined in Article 245(e) of the Constitution, guaranteeing individuals full, swift and effective protection against the public administration.

Key Reforms and Clear Benefits:

– Extending Protection for Individuals and Public Interests

– Strengthening the Powers of the Courts and Enforcement Mechanisms

– Procedural Efficiency and Justice in a Timely Manner

– Modernisation and Transparency

– Enforcement against the Government: A Milestone in Accountability

The new Code of Administrative Procedure is a decisive step towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Cape Verde. By providing citizens with modern and effective procedural tools and by strengthening the courts’ ability to enforce their decisions, the legislation creates an environment of greater trust, transparency and accountability in the relationship between individuals and the State.

This is an unquestionable benefit for everyone: for citizens, whose rights are protected; for the public administration, which now has a clear legal framework; and for the justice system, which becomes swifter and more efficient.

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