Supreme Court of Spain

Supreme Court of Spain
Tribunal Supremo
Badge of the magistrates of the Supreme Court
Headquarters of the Supreme Court in Madrid
EstablishedApril 17, 1812; 212 years ago (1812-04-17)
LocationPalace of the Supreme Court, built on the site of the old Convent of the Salesas Reales, Madrid, Spain
Composition methodAppointed by Monarch on selection by the General Council of the Judiciary
Authorised byConstitution of Spain
Judge term lengthAppointed for life until retired at 70
Number of positions79 (in 2017, may change by Act of Parliament)
WebsitePortal del Tribunal Supremo
President of the Supreme Court
CurrentlyMaría Isabel Perelló Doménech
Since4 September 2024
Vice President of the Supreme Court
CurrentlyDimitry Berberoff Ayuda
SinceSeptember 2024

The Supreme Court (Spanish: Tribunal Supremo, TS) is the highest court in the Kingdom of Spain. The court has original jurisdiction over cases against high-ranking officials of the Kingdom and over cases regarding the legalization of political parties. It also has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all cases. The Court has the power of judicial review, except for the judicial revision on constitutional matters, reserved to the Constitutional Court.

As set in the Judiciary Organic Act of 1985, the Court consists of the President of the Supreme Court and of the General Council of the Judiciary, the Vice President of the Supreme Court, the Chairpersons of the Chambers and an undetermined number of Magistrates. Each Magistrate of the Supreme Court is nominated by the General Council of the Judiciary and appointed by the Monarch for a lifetime tenure up to the age of 70, when they must retire (unless they request a 2-year extension).

The Court meets in its Palace, built by Antonio Ruiz de Salces on the site of the old Convent of the Salesas Reales in Madrid. The security of the buildings and personnel of the Supreme Court is entrusted to the Supreme Court Special Commissariat, a unit of the National Police Corps.

The Court was originally established by the Constitution of 1812 to replace the System of Councils in all matters that affected justice. The Court derives its current power from Chapter VI of the Constitution of 1978.[1]

  1. ^ "Royal Decree of April 17, 1812 suppressing the Councils and creating the Supreme Court of Justice" (PDF). www.boe.es (in Spanish). April 1812. Retrieved 25 June 2022.