Legal System of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in central america, bordering both the caribbean sea and the north pacific ocean, between costa rica and honduras. The country achieved independence on 15 september 1821 (from spain). The capital is Managua.
Government Overview
Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007) Head of Government: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Costa Caribe Norte*, Costa Caribe Sur*, Estelí, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas National Holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Nicaragua is described as civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 19 November 1986, effective 9 January 1987 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic or assent of at least half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires approval by 60% of the membership of the next elected Assembly and promulgation by the president of the republic
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges organized into administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly to serve 5-year staggered terms Subordinate Courts: Appeals Court; first instance civil, criminal, and labor courts; military courts are independent of the Supreme Court
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821, and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Nicaragua based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.