Legal System of Andorra
Andorra is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in southwestern europe, pyrenees mountains, on the border between france and spain. The country achieved independence on 1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the french count of foix and the spanish bishop of urgell). The capital is Andorra la Vella.
Government Overview
Government Type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d’Urgell, Spain Chief of State: Co-prince Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Patrick STROZDA (since 14 May 2017); and Co-prince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Eduard Ibanez PULIDO (since 27 November 2023) Head of Government: Prime Minister Xavier Espot ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019) Cabinet: Executive Council composed of head of government and 11 ministers designated by the head of government Administrative Divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria National Holiday: Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Andorra is described as mixed legal system of civil and customary law with the influence of canon (religious) law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: drafted 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993 Amendment Process: proposed by the co-princes jointly or by the General Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the General Council, ratification in a referendum, and sanctioning by the co-princes
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de la Justicia d’Andorra (consists of the court president and 8 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 4 magistrates) Judge Selection: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Justice, a 5-member judicial policy and administrative body appointed 1 each by the co-princes, 1 by the General Council, 1 by the executive council president, and 1 by the courts; judges serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional magistrates - 2 appointed by the co-princes and 2 by the General Council; magistrates’ appointments limited to 2 consecutive 8-year terms Subordinate Courts: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: voters cast two separate ballots – one for the national election and one for their parish
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The landlocked Principality of Andorra -- one of the smallest states in Europe and nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders -- is the last independent survivor of the Hispanic March states created by Frankish King Charlemagne in 795 after he halted the Moorish invasion of Spain. The March states were a series of buffer states to keep the Muslim Moors from advancing into Christian France.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Andorra based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.