Supreme Court of Chile

Last updated
Supreme Court of Chile
Corte Suprema de Justicia de Chile
Tribjusticiacl.jpg
The Justice Courts Palace (Palacio de los Tribunales de Justicia) in Santiago, seat of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals of Santiago
Supreme Court of Chile
33°26′21″S70°39′11″W / 33.4391964°S 70.6531933°W / -33.4391964; -70.6531933
EstablishedDecember 29, 1823;200 years ago (1823-12-29)
Location Santiago
Coordinates 33°26′21″S70°39′11″W / 33.4391964°S 70.6531933°W / -33.4391964; -70.6531933
Composition methodMinisters are nominated by the Court itself, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
Authorized by Constitution of Chile
Judge term length75 years old or until ceasing in good conduct
Number of positions21
Website pjud.cl
President of the Supreme Court
Currently Ricardo Blanco Herrera
Since2024

The Supreme Court of Chile is the highest court in Chile. It also administers the lower courts in the nation. It is located in the capital Santiago.

Contents

In the Chilean system, the court lacks the broader power of judicial review—it cannot set binding precedent or invalidate laws. Instead, it acts on a case-by-case basis. Trials are carried out in salas, chambers of at least five judges, presided over by the most senior member.

Membership

The members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President from a list of five choices prepared by the sitting members of the court. Two of the choices must be senior judges from appellate courts; the other three may have no judicial experience. The president's choice must then be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.

Supreme Court justices must be at least 36 years old. Once appointed, a Chilean Supreme Court justice is entitled to remain on the Court until the compulsory retirement age of 75. The only exception is if a justice can be removed by "notorious abandonment of duty," as deemed by a majority of both chambers of Congress.

Current Supreme Court members

The Supreme Court has twenty-one members, called ministers (ministros). One member is selected to serve a two-year term as President of the Supreme Court. The composition of the Supreme Court changes relatively quickly, as judges attain the retirement age of 75. This list was last updated on the 21st of August 2023. [1]

JusticeEnd of mandate
Juan Eduardo Fuentes Belamar (President)2024
Sergio Manuel Muñoz Gajardo2032
Haroldo Osvaldo Brito Cruz2023
Ricardo Luis Hernán Blanco Herrera2029
Gloria Ana Chevesich Ruiz 2028
Andrea María Mercedes Muñoz Sánchez2032
Manuel Antonio Valderrama Rebolledo2031
Jorge Gonzalo Dahm Oyarzún2023
Arturo Jose Prado Puga2030
Angela Francisca Vivanco Martínez2038
Mauricio Alonso Silva Cancino2028
María Angélica Cecilia Repetto García2028
Leopoldo Andrés Llanos SagristaUnknown
Adelita Inés Ravanales Arriagada2039
Mario Rolando Carroza Espinosa2026
María Teresa de Jesús Letelier Ramírez2025
Jean Pierre Matus Acuna2042
Maria Cristina Gajardo HarboeUnknown
Carlos Ramón Aránguiz Zúñiga2028
Diego Gonzalo Simpértigue Limare2031
Maria Soledad Melo LabraUnknown

Notable decisions

Augusto Pinochet

The Chilean Supreme Court has been involved in many important human rights cases regarding the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Gay rights

The Chilean Supreme Court has made controversial decisions in the area of gay rights.

Women's health

Alberto Fujimori

On September 21, 2007, the court accepted Peru's request to extradite former president Alberto Fujimori, on human rights and corruption charges.

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References

  1. "Judiciary of the Republic of Chile (Poder Judicial de la República de Chile)" (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 August 2023.

33°26′21″S70°39′11″W / 33.43917°S 70.65306°W / -33.43917; -70.65306