Legal System of Slovakia

Slovakia is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in central europe, south of poland. The country achieved independence on 1 january 1993 (czechoslovakia split into the czech republic and slovakia). The capital is Bratislava.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Peter PELLEGRINI (since 15 June 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 25 October 2023) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Trnava, Zilina National Holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Slovakia is described as civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous (pre-independence); latest passed by the National Council 1 September 1992, signed 3 September 1992, effective 1 October 1992 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Council; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote of Council members

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 80 judges organized into criminal, civil, commercial, and administrative divisions with 3- and 5-judge panels); Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic (consists of 13 judges organized into 3-judge panels) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judge candidates nominated by the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, an 18-member self-governing body that includes the Supreme Court chief justice and presidential, governmental, parliamentary, and judiciary appointees; judges appointed by the president serve for life, subject to removal by the president at age 65; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the National Council of the Republic and appointed by the president; judges serve 12-year terms Subordinate Courts: regional and district civil courts; Special Criminal Court; Higher Military Court; military district courts; Court of Audit

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovakia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Slovakia traces its roots to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. The Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Slovakia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.