Legal System of Mongolia
Mongolia is located in East N Southeast Asia. It is geographically situated in northern asia, between china and russia. The country achieved independence on 29 december 1911 (independence declared from china; in actuality, autonomy attained); 11 july 1921 (from china). The capital is Ulaanbaatar.
Government Overview
Government Type: semi-presidential republic Chief of State: President Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (since 25 June 2021) Head of Government: Prime Minister Gombojavyn ZANDANSHATAR (since 13 June 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet directly appointed by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs National Holiday: Naadam (games) holiday, 11-15 July; Constitution Day, 26 November (1924) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Mongolia is described as civil law system influenced by Soviet and Romano-Germanic systems; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 13 January 1992, effective 12 February 1992 Amendment Process: proposed by the State Great Hural, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition submitted to the State Great Hural by the Constitutional Court; conducting referenda on proposed amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the State Great Hural; passage of amendments by the State Great Hural requires at least three-quarters majority vote; passage by referendum requires majority participation of qualified voters and a majority of votes
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Chief Justice and 24 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tsets (consists of the chairman and 8 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president on recommendation of the General Council of Courts – a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials – to the State Great Hural; appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed from nominations by the State Great Hural - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term Subordinate Courts: aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C., and the name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan), emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Mongolia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.