The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 South America
Judicial branch Chile, in 36 editions.
The entry for Chile published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 18 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 18
- 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) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Patricio AYLWIN (since 11 March 1990)
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Patricio AYLWIN (since 11 March 1990)
- Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Patricio AYLWIN (since 11 March 1990) Concertation of Parties for Democracy now consists mainly of six parties--Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Andres ZALDIVAR;
- Party for Democracy (PPD), Erich SCHNAKE;
- Radical Party (PR), Mario ASTORGA;
- Democratic Socialist Radical Party (PRSD), Jorge IBANEZ;
- Social Democratic Party (PSD), Rene ABELIUK;
- and Socialist Party, Jorge ARRATE;
- National Renovation (RN), Andres ALLAMAND;
- Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Joaquin LAVIN;
- Communist Party of Chile (PCCh), Volodia TEITELBOIM;
- Movement of Revolutionary Left (MIR) is splintered, no single leader
Rewritten: too little of the 1990 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Patricio AYLWIN (since 11 March 1990) Concertation of Parties for Democracy now consists mainly of six parties--Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Andres ZALDIVAR; Party for Democracy (PPD), Erich SCHNAKE; Radical Party (PR), Mario ASTORGA; Democratic Socialist Radical Party (PRSD), Jorge IBANEZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Rene ABELIUK; and Socialist Party, Jorge ARRATE; National Renovation (RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Joaquin LAVIN; Communist Party of Chile (PCCh), Volodia TEITELBOIM; Movement of Revolutionary Left (MIR) is splintered, no single leader
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 are appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 17-member court
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Suprema), judges are
appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is
elected by the 17-member court
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 17-member court
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are
by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is
17-member court
- Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed
by the president, president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates
provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is
elected by the
17-member
- Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are appointed
appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates
candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the
Supreme Court is
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema, judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself, the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court; Constitutional Tribunal
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), or Corte Suprema, judges areitself; itself, the president of thecourt court; Constitutional Tribunal
The same text in 5 editions, 2001 to 2005.
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema, judges Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself, itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court; court); Constitutional Tribunal
The same text in 3 editions, 2006 to 2008.
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 21-member 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal
The same text in 4 editions, 2009 to 2012.
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court);
- Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress)
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members);
- Electoral Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate;
- members serve 8-year terms with partial court replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Electoral Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies selected by the Supreme Court;
- member term NA
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members); Electoral Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate; members serve 8-year terms with partial court replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Electoral Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies selected by the Supreme Court; member term NA
subordinate courts:
Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members);
- Electoral Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate;
- members serve 8-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Electoral Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies selected by the Supreme Court;
- member term NA
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest court(s):
judge selection and term of office:court membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Electoral Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies selected by the Supreme Court; member term NA
subordinate courts:
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate;
- members serve 8-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 - a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies - also selected by the Supreme Court;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members); Electoral Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate; members serve 8-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Electoral Elections Qualifying Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 - a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies - also selected by the Supreme Court; member term NA members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate;
- members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparasio;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 10 members); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 1 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, Chamber of Deputies, and 1 2 by the Senate; members serve 8-year 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court member appointments members appointed by lottery - 4 1 by the Supreme Court and 1 - a former president or vice-president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies - also selected Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court; Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparasio; members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate;
- members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest court(s): courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparasio; Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
The same text in 3 editions, 2019 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate;
- members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice-president vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice-president vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate;
- members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members); members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary);
- Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself;
- judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70;
- Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate;
- members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation);
- Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso;
- members appointed for 4-year terms
- subordinate courts:
- Courts of Appeal;
- oral criminal tribunals;
- military tribunals;
- local police courts;
- specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); members); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Chile: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/chile/judicial-branch.