The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Africa
Judicial branch Rwanda, in 36 editions.
The entry for Rwanda published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 15 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 15
- 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.
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA (since 5 July 1973)
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA (since 5 July 1973)
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session)
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of
State in joint session) Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA (since 5 July 1973)
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session)
Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the
Council of
Constitutional Court consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Constitutional Court (consists consists of the Court of
Cassation and thesession) session
The same text in 4 editions, 1996 to 1999.
Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Constitutional Court Court, consists of the Court of
Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of
The same text in 4 editions, 2001 to 2004.
- Supreme Court;
- communal courts;
- appeals courts
Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session Supreme Court; communal courts; appeals courts
The same text in 8 editions, 2005 to 2012.
- Supreme Court;
- High Courts of the Republic;
- Provincial Courts;
- District Courts;
- mediation committees
Supreme Court; communal courts; appeals courts High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
- highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 12 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches)
note - the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges nominated by the president of the republic, after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate;
- court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of other judges NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 12 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches)
note - the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
judge selection and term of office:
judges nominated by the president of the republic, after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of other judges NA
subordinate courts:
High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 12 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches)
note: the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate;
- court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of other judges NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
highest court(s):note - note: the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
judge selection and term of office:republic, republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of other judges NA
subordinate courts:
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice-president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers
note: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or SCJ (a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice-president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
- judge selection and term of office:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, chief and 12 deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches) panels); High Court
note: the Gacacawas established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases (consists of genocide against the Tutsis court president, vice-president, and
judge selectionterm a minimum of office: 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers
note: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or SCJ (a 14-member 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; court president chief and vice president deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of other judges NA; High Court president and vice-president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
judge selection and term of office: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers
note: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or SCJ (a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
- judge selection and term of office:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- Gacaca and military specialized courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice-president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers
note: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or SCJ (a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice-president vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
judge selection and term of office: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
The same text in 4 editions, 2018 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate;
- chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of judges NA;
- High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate;
- judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- and military specialized courts
highest court(s): courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers chambers)note: judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or SCJ (a (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NAjudge selection and term of office: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courtssubordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts
The same text in 2022 and 2023.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate;
- chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of judges NA;
- High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate;
- judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- and military specialized courts
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate;
- chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of judges NA;
- High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate;
- judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- and military specialized courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 5 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels);
- High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals, and approved by the Senate;
- chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms;
- tenure of judges NA;
- High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate;
- judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of the Republic;
- commercial courts including the High Commercial Court;
- intermediate courts;
- primary courts;
- and military specialized courts
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) professionals, and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Rwanda: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/rwanda/judicial-branch.