This encyclopedia will provide concise, authoritative entries on the theory, practice, and contemporary developments of customary law across the globe. It is intended as a reference work for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students working in fields such as customary law, legal pluralism, anthropology of law, comparative law, and governance.
We'd like to invite proposals for encyclopedia entries, including a tentative title and a short abstract (150-200 words). Based on the scientific rigour of proposals received, the editors will select contributors and finalise the list of entries. Accepted authors will then be invited to submit an entry of 1,500–2,500 words.

•    Deadline for submission of abstracts: 15 April 2026
•    Notification of acceptance: 20 May 2026
•    Deadline for submission of final entries: 31 October 2026

For more information, please contact Christa Rautenbach at christa.rautenbach@nwu.ac.za(open new window) or Anthony Diala at adiala@uwc.ac.za(open new window).

Click on this link to submit your abstract and information(open new window).
Click on this link for the author guidelines(open new window).

Suggested Themes/Topics
The following list is indicative rather than exhaustive. Contributors are welcome to propose additional topics relevant to customary law.
Foundational Concepts and Theory
•    European colonialism 
•    Historical evolution of customary law
•    Customary law and legal pluralism 
•    The concept of living customary law 
•    Codification of customary law 
•    Customary law and legal theories 
•    Customary norm formation 
•    Oral tradition and transmission 
•    Cultural expertise in law 
•    Indigenous versus customary law 
•    The values of customary law
Institutions and Governance
•    Traditional leadership 
•    Customary courts 
•    Community-based dispute resolution 
•    Elders and family councils 
•    Customary land governance 
•    Customary authority and state law 
Fields of Customary Law
•    Customary family laws 
•    Customary marriages 
•    Customary divorce 
•    Customary succession and inheritance 
•    Customary land tenure systems
•    Customary environmental stewardship 
•    Customary criminal justice 
•    Customary commercial practices 
Regional and Comparative Perspectives
•    Customary Law in Africa 
•    Customary Law in Asia 
•    Customary Law in Latin America 
•    Customary Law in the Pacific 
•    Indigenous Legal Orders in North America 
•    Customary law in international law
Contemporary Debates
•    Constitutional recognition of customary law 
•    Customary law and human rights 
•    Gender equality and customary law 
•    Customary law and development 
•    Customs and natural resource governance 
•    Customs and environmental protection 
•    Digital documentation of customary norms 
•    Customary law and state courts
•    Customary law and legal harmonisation