Labor law governs employment relationships, including contracts, pay, working time, safety, representation, disputes and termination. Immigration law covers entry, residence, work, study, family links, protection, citizenship and removal. Criminal law defines offences, investigations, proceedings, sanctions and rights of defence. Consumer protection applies when private consumers deal with companies or professional suppliers and addresses information, pricing, invoicing, commercial practices and abusive contract terms. Civil law governs private relationships involving contracts, property, family matters, inheritance, liability, court proceedings and enforcement. Business matters may also fall under OHADA rules, while national codes and special laws govern other subjects. A legal assessment should therefore identify the facts, the parties, the relevant location in Senegal, the applicable source of law and the responsible authority before any filing, agreement or response.
Law in Senegal
Law in Senegal sets the rules for relationships between people, companies, public authorities and institutions. Its main areas include labor law, immigration law, criminal law, consumer protection and civil law. The applicable rules depend on the subject, the parties involved, the relevant code or special law and the authority handling the matter.
Use the five legal areas as a first triage tool, not as a final legal assessment. Identify the relationship, conduct, parties, documents and location involved, then verify the governing code or special law and the authority responsible for the next step in Senegal.
Labor law
Labor law in Senegal governs dependent work for private employers and employees, including employment contracts, working time, pay, safety, representation, disputes and termination. It generally applies nationally without an exemption for smaller companies, while permanent public officials and seafarers follow separate regimes. The core statute is the Code du Travail, based on Loi n°97-17 of 1 December 1997 and later amendments. A law approved by the Assemblée nationale on 18 August 2026 was still awaiting promulgation and publication in the Journal officiel on 12 September 2026, so it was not yet applicable.
Immigration law
Immigration law in Senegal governs entry, residence, work, study, family links, protection, citizenship and removal. Entry and residence permissions depend on nationality, purpose, duration and the documents presented. The main authorities include the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité publique, the police foreign nationals division, the Ministry of Justice and the CNGRA for protection claims.
Criminal law
Criminal law in Senegal defines offences, personal responsibility, investigations, criminal proceedings and sanctions. Its main sources are the Constitution, the Criminal Code under Law No. 65-60, the Code of Criminal Procedure under Law No. 65-61 and special laws. The system protects defence rights and allows directly harmed persons to seek compensation in connection with criminal proceedings.
Consumer protection
Consumer protection in Senegal covers the rights and safeguards of private consumers dealing with companies and professional suppliers. Loi n°2021-25 protects information, truthful pricing and invoicing, fair commercial practices and protection against abusive contract terms. Enforcement is divided among trade authorities, sector regulators, consumer associations, police and courts rather than one all-sector consumer ombudsman.
Civil law
Civil law in Senegal governs private legal relationships involving people, families, companies and property. It is based on several national codes, including the Code des Obligations civiles et commerciales, the Code de la Famille and the Code de Procédure civile, together with special laws and OHADA rules for core business matters. The system covers contracts, land, family status, inheritance, liability, court proceedings and enforcement.
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