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Honduras: Court structure

On 10/04/2015 in

There are three levels of ordinary courts in Honduras:

  • the Supreme Court of Justice;
  • the Courts of Appeal; and
  • the Courts of first instance (Juzgados de Letras).

The Supreme Court is located in the capital Tegucigalpa and has three chambers: civil, criminal, and labour. The Supreme Court is empowered, among other things, to interpret constitutional provisions; to preside over proceedings against state officials and members of the parliament; and to render decisions on extradition cases and other cases to be judged in accordance with international law.[1]

In addition to these courts, Justices of the Peace decide on civil and criminal matters within certain statutory limitations,[2] and the military courts are given competence over crimes committed by military personnel.

 

Footnotes    (↵ returns to text)

  1. 1. Constitution, Article 313(2), (4), and (5).

    The Supreme Court of Justice has the following attributions:

    …

    2. To take cognizance of the formal preliminary processes [concerning] the most high functionaries of the State, and the Deputies;

    …

    4. To take cognizance of the causes of extradition and others that must be judged in conformity with International Law;

    5. To take cognizance of the Recourses of Habeas Corpus, Habeas Data, Cassation, Amparo, Revision and Unconstitutionality, as stipulated in this Constitution and the Law;

    See also International Commission of Jurists, La Independencia del Poder Judicial en Honduras (2004-2013) (May 2014), p. 7.↵
  2. 2. Law on the Organization and Competence of the Courts, Article 26.↵
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