Legal System of El Salvador
El Salvador is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in central america, bordering the north pacific ocean, between guatemala and honduras. The country achieved independence on 15 september 1821 (from spain). The capital is San Salvador.
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019) Head of Government: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019) Cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president Administrative Divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapán, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazán, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulután National Holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of El Salvador is described as civil law system with minor common law influence; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983 Amendment Process: proposals require agreement by absolute majority of the Legislative Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on basic principles, and citizen rights and freedoms cannot be amended
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 15 judges, including its president, and 15 substitute judges organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, and Administrative Conflict Chambers) Judge Selection: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of both the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly, and the Bar Association; judges elected for 9-year terms, with renewal of one third of membership every 3 years; consecutive reelection is allowed Subordinate Courts: Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. El Salvador is beset by one of the world’s highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of El Salvador based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.