The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 South America
Judicial branch Bolivia, in 36 editions.
The entry for Bolivia published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 19 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 19
- 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 2024Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
- Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Jaime PAZ Zamora (since 6 August 1989);
- Vice President Luis OSSIO Sanjines (since 6 August 1989) Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora;
- Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Hugo BANZER Suarez;
- Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada;
- Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jorge AGREDO;
- Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), led by Antonio ARANIBAR;
- United Left (IU), a coalition of leftist parties which includes Patriotic National Convergency Axis (EJE-P) led by Walter DELGADILLO, and Bolivian Communist Party (PCB) led by Humberto RAMIREZ;
- Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles;
- Revolutionary Vanguard-9th of April (VR-9), Carlos SERRATE Reich;
- Civic Union Solidarity (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ
Rewritten: too little of the 1990 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Jaime PAZ Zamora (since 6 August 1989); Vice President Luis OSSIO Sanjines (since 6 August 1989) Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora; Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Hugo BANZER Suarez; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jorge AGREDO; Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), led by Antonio ARANIBAR; United Left (IU), a coalition of leftist parties which includes Patriotic National Convergency Axis (EJE-P) led by Walter DELGADILLO, and Bolivian Communist Party (PCB) led by Humberto RAMIREZ; Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles; Revolutionary Vanguard-9th of April (VR-9), Carlos SERRATE Reich; Civic Union Solidarity (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ
The same text in 4 editions, 1992 to 1995.
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Rewritten: too little of the 1991 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for a 10-year term by National Congress
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Suprema), judges appointed
for a 10-year term by National Congress
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for a 10-year term by National Congress
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed
10-year term by National Congress
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for a 10-year term by National Congress
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed
for a
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointeda 10-year term terms by National Congress
The same text in 7 editions, 2001 to 2007.
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress);
- District Courts (one in each department);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress);
- District Courts (one in each department);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases);
- Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues);
- National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the President, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for 4-year terms)
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the President, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for 4-year terms)
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress);
- District Courts (one in each department);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases);
- Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues);
- National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the president, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for four-year terms);
- note - under the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Court judges will be elected by popular vote
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Constitutional Tribunal (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed by Congress; to rule on constitutional issues); National Electoral Court (six members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the President, president, and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for 4-year terms) four-year terms); note - under the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Court judges will be elected by popular vote
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms);
- District Courts (one in each department);
- Plurinational Constitutional Court (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president; one member must be of indigenous origin to six-year terms);
- Agro-Environmental Court (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms elected by National Congress); popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal Court (five primary or titulares and five alternate or suplente magistrates appointed elected by Congress; popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues); National Plurinational Electoral Court (six Organ (seven members elected by Congress, Supreme Court, the president, Assembly and the political party with the highest vote in the last election for four-year president; one member must be of indigenous origin to six-year terms); note - under the 2009 Constitution, all Constitutional and Supreme Agro-Environmental Court judges will be (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms);
- District Courts (one in each department);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (seven primary or titulares and seven alternate or suplente magistrates elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues (at least two candidates must be indigenous));
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president; one member must be of indigenous origin to six-year terms);
- Agro-Environmental Court (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms); District Courts (one in each department); Plurinational Constitutional Court (five Tribunal (seven primary or titulares and five seven alternate or suplente magistrates elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues); issues (at least two candidates must be indigenous)); Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president; one member must be of indigenous origin to six-year terms); Agro-Environmental Court (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (seven primary or titulares and seven alternate or suplente magistrates elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues (at least two candidates must be indigenous));
- Agro-Environmental Court (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues);
- Council of the Judiciary (five judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on ethical and administrative issues in the judiciary);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president-one member must be of indigenous origin-to six-year terms);
- provincial and local courts (to try minor cases);
- District Courts (one in each department)
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms); District Courts (one in each department); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (seven primary or titulares and seven alternate or suplente magistrates elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on constitutional issues (at least two candidates must be indigenous)); Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president; one member must be of indigenous origin to six-year terms); Agro-Environmental Court (judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to run on agro-environmental issues); Council of the Judiciary (five judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Assembly for six-year terms; to rule on ethical and administrative issues in the judiciary); Plurinational Electoral Organ (seven members elected by the Assembly and the president-one member must be of indigenous origin-to six-year terms); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) cases); District Courts (one in each department)
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members)
note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president;
- judges and members serve 6-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Agro-Environmental Court;
- Council of the Judiciary;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members)
note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms); Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president; judges and members serve 6-year terms
subordinate courts:
Agro-Environmental Court; Council of the Judiciary; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members);
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president;
- judges and members serve 6-year terms
note: the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
- subordinate courts:
- Agro-Environmental Court;
- Council of the Judiciary;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)
highest court(s):
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members) members);
note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms); Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president; judges and members serve 6-year terms
note:
the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
subordinate courts:
Agro-Environmental Court; Council of the Judiciary; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)
The same text in 2015 and 2016.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president;
- judges and members serve 6-year terms;
- note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
- subordinate courts:
- Agro-Environmental Court;
- Council of the Judiciary;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)
highest court(s):members); members)
judge selection and term of office:termsterms; note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011
note:
subordinate courts:
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates);
- National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote;
- judges elected for 6-year terms;
- Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic;
- members serve single 6-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- National Electoral Court;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments);
- Agro-Environmental lower courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges); judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members) members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms); terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ members judges appointed - 6 judges elected by the Legislative Assembly and 1 appointed by the president; judges and president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms; note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011 terms
subordinate courts: Agro-Environmental National Electoral Court; Council of the Judiciary; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments) departments); Agro-Environmental lower courts
The same text in 4 editions, 2018 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates);
- National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote;
- judges elected for 6-year terms;
- Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic;
- members serve single 6-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- National Electoral Court;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments);
- agro-environmental lower courts
highest court(s): courts: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms
subordinate courts: National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); Agro-Environmental agro-environmental lower courts
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates);
- National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote;
- judges elected for 6-year terms;
- Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic;
- members serve single 6-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- National Electoral Court;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments);
- agro-environmental lower courts
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms
subordinate courts: National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers);
- Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates);
- Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates);
- National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote;
- judges elected for 6-year terms;
- Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic;
- members serve single 6-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- National Electoral Court;
- District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments);
- agro-environmental lower courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms
subordinate courts: National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bolivia: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bolivia/judicial-branch.