The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Africa
Judicial branch Eswatini, in 36 editions.
The entry for Eswatini published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 17 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 17
- 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 2024Entry published as “Swaziland”.
High Court, Court of Appeal Chief of State--King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Obed MFANYANA (since 12 July 1989)
High Court, Court of Appeal Chief of State--King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Obed MFANYANA (since 12 July 1989)
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
High Court, Court of Appeal Chief of State--King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989)
High Court, Court of Appeal Chief of State--King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Obed MFANYANA DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989)
The same text in 4 editions, 1992 to 1995.
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
High Court, Court of Appeal
High Court, Court of Appeal Chief of State--King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989)
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court,
- judges are appointed by the king;
- Court of Appeal,
- judges are appointed by the king
High Court, judges are appointed by the king;
Court of Appeal Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court,
- judges are appointed by the king;
- Court of Appeal,
- judges are appointed by the king
High Court, judges are appointed by the king;
of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court,
- judges are appointed by the monarch;
- Court of Appeal,
- judges are appointed by the monarch
High Court, judges are appointed by the king; Court monarch;
Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the king monarch
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court,
- judges are appointed by the monarch;
- Court of Appeal,
- judges are appointed by the monarch
High Court, judges are appointed by the monarch;
The same text in 6 editions, 2001 to 2006.
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court;
- Court of Appeal;
- judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
High Court, judges are appointed by the monarch; Court; Court of Appeal, Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
The same text in 5 editions, 2007 to 2011.
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- High Court;
- Supreme Court;
- judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
High Court; Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- Supreme Court;
- High Court;
- judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission
High Court; Supreme Court; High Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- highest court(s):
- the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
note - the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional law (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
note - the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
judge selection and term of office:
justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts:
magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional law (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- highest court(s):
- the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
highest court(s):note - the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciaryjudge selection and term of office:
subordinate courts:law laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- highest court(s):
- the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
highest court(s): the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
Entry published as “Swaziland”.
- highest court(s):
- the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 12 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JSC, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JSC head;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
highest court(s): the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 5 6 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 12 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JCS, JSC, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JCS JSC head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
- highest courts:
- the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 12 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JSC, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JSC head;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
highest court(s): courts: the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 12 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JSC, a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JSC head; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
The same text in 3 editions, 2019 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
highest courts: the Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 12 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court of the Judicature and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission or JSC, (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the JSC head; chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 for Supreme Court justices and at age 70 for High Court justices
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the national constitution as amended in 2006 shifted judicial power from the monarch and vested it exclusively in the judiciary
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices);
- note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice ex officio and 4 justices)
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission;
- justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75
- subordinate courts:
- magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Eswatini: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/eswatini/judicial-branch.