The legal system

The Andorran legal system is regulated in chapters VII and VIII of the Constitution and comprises the following jurisdictional organs:

1. The Constitutional Court, which interprets the Constitution, at the highest level of juridical ordinances;

2. The High Court of Justice, which is the senior court of the Andorran judicial organization. There are three divisions: the Civil Court, the Criminal Court, and the Administrative Court;

3. The District Court, which tries major offenses in the first instance, before a bench of three magistrates;

4. The Magistracy, which hears civil, administrative and criminal cases in the first instance, with the single exception of major criminal offences, for which it is the instructing court. The Magistracy or Batllia is organised in four sections: Civil, Criminal, Administrative and Special Instruction. The functions of the Batllia are exercised by the magistrates or battles and by the Magistrates Court.

The representation, government and administration of the judicial organization are exercised by the Senior Council of Justice, the function of which is to guarantee the independence of the judicial power. It is composed of five members: one appointed by each co-prince, one by the speaker, one by the head of Government and one by the magistrates.