Review of decisions of State Courts over state matters by the Federal Supreme Court

A decision of any court in Ethiopia today can be reviewed by the Cassation Division of the Federal Supreme Court (hereinafter the Cassation Division) if it manifests a prima facie case for basic error of law and if it is a final decision and is filed within the time limit1. This article examines the scope of the Cassation Division’s power, i.e., whether there is a legal basis for the Cassation Division to review cases settled by state courts in accordance with state laws; if there is a legal backing for such judicial exercise, and whether it is objectionable in principle as well as for pragmatic reasons.