Politics of Peru - Judicial Branch

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch of government is headed by a 16-member Supreme Court seated in Lima. The National Council of the Judiciary appoints judges to this court.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) interprets the constitution on matters of individual rights. Superior courts in regional capitals review appeals from decisions by lower courts. Courts of first instance are located in provincial capitals and are divided into civil, penal, and special chambers. The judiciary has created several temporary specialized courts in an attempt to reduce the large backlog of cases pending final court action.

Peru's legal system is based on civil law system. Peru has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. In 1996 a human rights ombudsman's office (defensor del pueblo) was created to address human rights issues.

Read more about this topic:  Politics Of Peru

Famous quotes containing the words judicial and/or branch:

    Scarcely any political question arises in the United States that is not resolved, sooner or later, into a judicial question.
    Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)

    The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.
    —James Branch Cabell (1879–1958)