The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Asia
Judicial branch Bhutan, in 36 editions.
The entry for Bhutan published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 16 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 16
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Judicial branch” (1990 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Changed since 2024The same text in 1990 and 1991.
High Court Chief of State and Head of Government--King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
High Court Chief of State and Head of Government--King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
The same text in 4 editions, 1992 to 1995.
High Court
High Court Chief of State and Head of Government--King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High Court, judges appointed by the king
High the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High
Court, judges appointed by the king
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High Court, judges appointed by the king
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High
judges appointed by the king
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High Court, judges appointed by the monarch
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; monarch; High Court,
Court, judges appointed by the king monarch
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High Court, judges appointed by the monarch
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High
The same text in 7 editions, 2001 to 2007.
Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; (the monarch); High Court, judges Court (judges appointed by the monarch monarch)
- Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch);
- High Court (judges appointed by the monarch);
- note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal
Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal
The same text in 4 editions, 2009 to 2012.
- Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch);
- High Court (judges appointed by the monarch);
- note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
- highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch in consultation with the National Judicial Commission;
- other judges appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch in consultation with the National Judicial Commission; other judges appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:
High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
- highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the four other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch in consultation with upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission; Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; judge tenure NA chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the four other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts:
High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
The same text in 3 editions, 2015 to 2017.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest court(s):justice )justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office:four 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts:
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest court(s): courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices justices, including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
The same text in 2020 and 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice); justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court;
- other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission;
- chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier;
- the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
- subordinate courts:
- High Court (first appellate court);
- District or Dzongkhag Courts;
- sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
note: the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters justices)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon on the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
note: the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
No edition has those words. Try a shorter word.
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bhutan: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bhutan/judicial-branch.