Editing New Caledonia (section)

=== Customary authority ===
Kanak society has several layers of customary authority, from the 4,000–5,000 family-based clans to the eight customary areas ({{lang|fr|aires coutumières}}) that make up the territory.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} Clans are led by clan chiefs and constitute 341 tribes, each headed by a tribal chief. The tribes are further grouped into 57 customary chiefdoms ({{lang|fr|chefferies}}), each headed by a head chief, and forming the administrative subdivisions of the customary areas.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}}
[[File:US Navy 090925-N-8721D-037 Capt. Thom Burke, commanding officer of the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) receives a wreath to lay at the U.S. war memorial during a ceremony.jpg|thumb|[[Jean Lèques]] during a ceremony honouring U.S. service members who helped ensure the freedom of New Caledonia during World War II ]]
The Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, and has jurisdiction over the law proposals concerning the Kanak identity.<ref name="cs-fra"/> The Customary Senate is composed of 16 members appointed by each traditional council, with two representatives per customary area.<ref name="cs-fra"/> In its advisory role, the Customary Senate must be consulted on law proposals "concerning the Kanak identity" as defined in the Nouméa Accord.<ref name="cs-fra"/> It also has a deliberative role on law proposals that would affect identity, the civil customary statute, and the land system.<ref name="cs-fra"/> A new president is appointed each year in August or September, and the presidency rotates between the eight customary areas.<ref name="cs-fra">{{cite web |url=http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/La-Nouvelle-Caledonie/Les-Elus/Senat-coutumier |title=Sénat coutumier |language=fr |website=Nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr |access-date=2013-01-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030174915/http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr/site/La-Nouvelle-Caledonie/Les-Elus/Senat-coutumier |archive-date=30 October 2012 }}</ref>

Kanak people have recourse to customary authorities regarding civil matters such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, and some land issues.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} The French administration typically respects decisions made in the customary system.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}} However, their jurisdiction is sharply limited in penal matters, as some matters relating to the customary justice system, including the use of [[judicial corporal punishment|corporal punishment]], are seen as clashing with the human rights obligations of France.{{sfn|Anaya|2011|p=8}}