The judicial system is based on a blend of British and traditional systems and consists of the high court, magistrate's courts, and local courts. Appeals from magistrate's courts go to the high court; customary land appeals courts hear appeals from the local courts.
Defendants in criminal cases are entitled to counsel and to the writ of habeas corpus. Violations of civil liberties are punishable by fines and jail sentences. An ombudsman with the power of subpoena can investigate complaints of violations of civil liberties. The traditional culture, in addition to legal provisions, provides strong protection against arbitrary interference with privacy, home, family, and correspondence.