Family law reform and the integration of the laws of succession in Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	Family law reform and the integration of the laws of succession in Zambia
Author:	Himonga, Chuma N.
Year:	1991
Periodical:	Verfassung und Recht in Übersee
Volume:	24
Issue:	4
Pages:	340-361
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	legal reform family law law of inheritance
Abstract:	In 1989, Zambia enacted two important statutes, the Intestate Succession Act (ISA) and the Wills and Administration of Testate Estates Act (WATEA). The ISA, especially, has been described as a big landmark in Zambia's legal history. It attempts to reform and integrate the customary laws of succession existing before its enactment. The reason for the acclamation of the Act lies in the social and legal problems it seeks to solve for a large section of people in the country, especially widows and children of deceased men. The WATEA replaces the English Wills Act of 1837 in its application to Zambia. This paper examines these two Acts as an aspect of the implementation by the Zambian government of its policy of reform of family law as a whole. The paper concludes that, while the government remains committed to the reform of family law, the implementation of this policy has been, and is likely to continue to be dogged by social, institutional and bureaucratic impediments as well as problems of requisite resources. Notes, ref.