Legal System of Romania
Romania is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in southeastern europe, bordering the black sea, between bulgaria and ukraine. The country achieved independence on 9 may 1877 (independence proclaimed from the ottoman empire; 13 july 1878 (independence recognized by the treaty of berlin); 26 march 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 december 1947 (republic proclaimed). The capital is Bucharest.
Government Overview
Government Type: semi-presidential republic Chief of State: President Nicușor DAN (since 26 May 2025) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ilie BOLOJAN (since 23 June 2005) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea National Holiday: Unification Day (unification of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Romania is described as civil law system International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 21 November 1991, approved by referendum and effective 8 December 1991 Amendment Process: initiated by the president of Romania through a proposal by the government, by at least one fourth of deputies or senators in Parliament, or by petition of eligible voters representing at least half of Romania’s counties; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers or – if mediation is required - by three-fourths majority vote in a joint session, followed by approval in a referendum; articles, including those on national sovereignty, form of government, political pluralism, and fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): High Court of Cassation and Justice (consists of 111 judges organized into civil, penal, commercial, contentious administrative and fiscal business, and joint sections); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) Judge Selection: High Court of Cassation and Justice judges appointed by the president upon nomination by the Superior Council of Magistracy, a 19-member body of judges, prosecutors, and law specialists; judges appointed for 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court members - 6 elected by Parliament and 3 appointed by the president; members serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; regional tribunals; first instance courts; military and arbitration courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor) (331 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: Senate (Senatul)
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia – for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire – secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories – most notably Transylvania – that more than doubled its size.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Romania based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.