Earl of RONALDSHAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Superior Council of the Congo in Brussels is the supreme court of appeal for civil and criminal cases arising in the Congo Free State; whether the council is a legal institution under Belgian law; by whom are its judges appointed; and what law do they administer?
§ The SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The Superior Council of the Congo in Brussels is composed of two chambers: (1) the High Court of Appeal, and (2) the Court of Cassation. In criminal cases the Superior Council only deals with infringements committed by the judges and officials of the public ministry, and there is no recourse to appeal in such cases. Civil and commercial cases may be brought before the Superior Council, in second appeal, when the question at issue involves more than £1,000. The first appeal is always brought before the tribunal of appeal at Boma. The council acts as a court of cassation for civil and commercial cases. The council is a legal institution under Belgian law, as far as its judicial powers are concerned. The judges are appointed by the King, and they administer the laws and decrees in force in the Congo.