Judicial Branch of Colombia

Judicial Branch of Government of Colombia ( _es. Rama Judicial de la República de Colombia) is the system of courts in Republic of Colombia which administer justice in the name of the state as a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. The judicial branch encompasses judges, magistrates and other adjudicators who form the core of a judiciary, as well as the support personnel who keep the system running smoothly. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary in Colombia is the branch of government primarily responsible for interpreting the law.

Organization

Constitutional Court

The Colombian Constitutional court is in charge of guarding the Colombian Constitution and is the highest entity in the Colombian judicial branch of government with the function of interpreting and monitoring the constitutional law and processes. The Constitutional court decides also oversees the Tutela, an individual action against fundamental rights violations (including complaints of acts by the government) as stated in the Article 86 of the Colombian Constitution. The Constitutional Court is located in Bogotá. [http://www.ramajudicial.gov.co:7777/csj_portal/jsp/frames/index.jsp?idsitio=2]

upreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial instance in Colombia consisting of 23 judges which are appointed by the Senate of Colombia and the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia for a period of eight years. The Court is formed by 3 chambers, a civil-agrarian chamber made up by 7 judges, a labor chamber made up by 7 judges and a Penal chamber made up by 9 judges. The Court is located in Bogotá.

uperior tribunals

The Colombian territory is divided into judicial districts which function as appellate courts (Superior tribunals). Each district has a superior court, which hears appeals from and supervise the lower courts in the district. The court is composed of three judges which are appointed by the Supreme Court.Criminal trials make use of a five-member jury .

*Superior Tribunal of Antioquia
*Superior Tribunal of Arauca
*Superior Tribunal of Armenia
*Superior Tribunal of Barranquilla
*Superior Tribunal of Bogotá
*Superior Tribunal of Bucaramanga
*Superior Tribunal of Buga
*Superior Tribunal of Caldas
*Superior Tribunal of Cali
*Superior Tribunal of Cartagena
*Superior Tribunal of Cundinamarca
*Superior Tribunal of Córdoba
*Superior Tribunal of Cúcuta
*Superior Tribunal of Florencia
*Superior Tribunal of Ibagué
*Superior Tribunal of Manizales
*Superior Tribunal of Medellín
*Superior Tribunal of Montería
*Superior Tribunal of Neiva
*Superior Tribunal of Pasto
*Superior Tribunal of Pereira
*Superior Tribunal of Popayán
*Superior Tribunal of Quibdó
*Superior Tribunal of Riohacha
*Superior Tribunal of Risaralda
*Superior Tribunal of San Andrés
*Superior Tribunal of San Gil
*Superior Tribunal of Santa Marta
*Superior Tribunal of Sincelejo
*Superior Tribunal of Tunja
*Superior Tribunal of Valledupar
*Superior Tribunal of Villavicencio
*Superior Tribunal of Yopal

Regional courts

*2nd Civil Court of the Circuit of Soacha
*4th Civil Court of the Circuit of Bogotá
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Granada, Meta
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Cali
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Cáqueza
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Funza
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Fusagasugá
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Gachetá
*Civil Court of the Circuit of La Ceja
*Civil Court of the Circuit of Plato
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Aguadas
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Barranquilla
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Cali
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Fredonia
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Guateque
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Leticia
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Manizales
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Medellín
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Mocoa
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Bogotá
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Santuario
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Sogamoso
*Penal Court of the Circuit of Villeta
*Promiscuous Court of the Circuit of Guaduas

First Instance Courts

* Civil Municipal Courts of Colombia

Administrative Supreme Court

The Colombian Council of State ("Consejo de Estado") advices the president on draft legislation regarding the administration and is also the supreme administrative tribunal for complaints against government entities and its employees.

Administrative Courts

The Administrative Courts of Colombia are a first instance level in the judiciary of the country. Administrative court are in the following departments.

*Administrative Court of Cundinamarca
*Administrative Courts of Antioquia
*Administrative Courts of Arauca
*Administrative Courts of Bolívar
*Administrative Courts of Boyacá
*Administrative Courts of Córdoba
*Administrative Tribunal of Nariño
*Administrative Tribunal of Risaralda
*Administrative Tribunal of Santander
*Administrative Tribunal of Atlántico
*Administrative Tribunal of Caquetá
*Administrative Tribunal of del Cauca
*Administrative Tribunal of del Cesar
*Administrative Tribunal of del Huila
*Administrative Tribunal of Meta
*Administrative Tribunal of Tolima
*Administrative Tribunal of Valle del Cauca

Military Courts

*Superior Military Tribunal

Jurisprudence

*Jurisprudence (Case Law)

*Jurisprudence (All Colombian Law)

*Judiciary (In General)

uperior Council of the Judicature

The Superior Council of the Judicature ( _es. Consejo Superior de la Judicatura) serves for administrating the branch and also has the power to decide over conflicts of competency between courts.

External links

*es icon [http://www.ramajudicial.gov.co/ Colombian Judicial Branch of Government official website]