Legal System of Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is located in East N Southeast Asia. It is geographically situated in southeastern asia, northwest of australia in the lesser sunda islands at the eastern end of the indonesian archipelago; note - timor-leste includes the eastern half of the island of timor, the oecussi (ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of timor, and the islands of pulau atauro and pulau jaco. The country achieved independence on 28 november 1975 (from portugal); 20 may 2002 (from indonesia). The capital is Dili.

Government Overview

Government Type: semi-presidential republic Chief of State: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2022) Head of Government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023) Cabinet: Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the president Administrative Divisions: 12 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque National Holiday: Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975) Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Timor-Leste is described as civil law system based on the Portuguese model International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002 Amendment Process: proposed by Parliament and parliamentary groups; consideration of amendments requires at least four-fifths majority approval by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by Parliament and promulgation by the president of the republic; passage of amendments to the republican form of government and the flag requires approval in a referendum

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges) Judge Selection: court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body chaired by the court president and that includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates’ courts; military courts

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 Timor-Leste Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal

Historical Background

The island of Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries, and by the 14th century, it exported sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. The sandalwood trade attracted the Portuguese, who arrived in the early 16th century; by mid-century, they had colonized the island, which was previously ruled by local chieftains. In 1859, Portugal ceded the western portion of the island to the Dutch.

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