4. The Kingdom of Swaziland regained independence on the 6th September 1968 after 65 years of British rule as a protected state. The Nation's crest with the Lion on one side and elephant on the, other, represents the traditional dual Monarchy, in which the King and the Queen rule jointly. The Kingdom has always managed to keep its traditional government in place and to keep its own King, Queen and National Council as the heart and soul of its nation. 5. Five years after independence in 1968 King Sobhuza II, with the approval of the Parliament, revoked the Westminster based constitution that had been imposed on Swaziland by the British. With this repeal of the constitution, political parties were banned. In their place, Swaziland sought to design a political system that would safeguard the traditional political system while preparing the nation to work within a more universal government structure. That system, known as Tinkhundla provides for the election of parliamentary representatives by the people organised into constituencies with the traditional government playing a balancing role were the King and Queen retains political power. A. Legal System. 1 The judiciary is independent and judicial powers are vested with a dual system, one based on western law and the other on Swazi law and custom. The Western judiciary consists of the Court of appeal, the High Court and the Magistrate's court all of which are independent. Local judges serve indefinitely on good behaviour. In the Magistrate Court accused are entitled to counsel/legal representation at their own expense while legal representation is provided pro deo in capital cases in the High court. There are well defined procedures of appeals 3