Spanish Constitution of 1978 (annotated)/Part VI
PART VI
Judicial Power
Section 117
Judiciary Power1.2, 9, 14, 24, 25, 76.1, 106.1, 120-127, 149.1.5 and 6, 159-165 C1. Justice emanates from the people and is administered on behalf of the King by judges and magistrates members of the Judicial Power who shall be independent, shall have fixity of tenure, shall be accountable for their acts and subject only to the rule of law.
Security of tenure2. Judges and magistrates may only be dismissed, suspended, transferred or retired on the grounds and subject to the safeguards provided for by the law.
Exclusive power and jurisdiction3. The exercise of judicial authority in any kind of action, both in ruling and having judgments executed, is vested exclusively in the courts and tribunals laid down by the law, in accordance with the rules of jurisdiction and procedure which may be established therein.
4. Judges and courts shall not exercise any powers other than those indicated in the foregoing subsection and those which are expressly allocated to them by law as a guarantee of any right.
Jurisdictional unity8, 116 C5. The principle of jurisdictional unity is the basis of the organization and operation of the courts. The law shall make provision for the exercise of military jurisdiction strictly within military framework and in cases of state of siege (martial law), in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.
No courts of exception26 C6. Courts of exception are prohibited.
Section 118
Binding force of judicial decisions9, 106, 117 CIt is compulsory to comply with sentences and other final resolutions of judges and courts, as well as to pay them such assistance as they may require in the course of trials and for the execution of judgments.
Section 119
Legal aid free1.1, 9.2, 24.1, 117 CJustice shall be free when thus provided for by law, and shall in any case be so in respect of those who have insufficient means to sue in court.
Section 120
Publicity of proceedings1.1, 9.3, 24, 117, 118 C1. Judicial proceedings shall be public, with the exceptions specified in the laws on procedure.
Proceedings to be oral2. Proceedings shall be predominantly oral, especially in criminal cases.
Statement for reasons of decision3. Judgments shall always specify the grounds therefore, and they shall be delivered in a public hearing.
Section 121
Judicial error9.3, 106.2, 117, 122.1 CDamages caused by judicial error as well as those arising from irregularities in the administration of justice shall give rise to a right to compensation by the State, in accordance with the law.
Section 122
Courts and Tribunals23.2, 81, 103.2 and 3, 123-127, 149.1.5 C1. The Organic Act of the Judicial Power shall make provision for the setting up, operation and internal administration of courts and tribunals as well as for the legal status of professional judges and magistrates, who shall form a single body, and of the staff serving in the administration of justice.
General Judiciary Council2. The General Council of the Judicial Power is its governing body. An organic act shall lay down its status and the system of incompatibilities applicable to its members and their functions, especially in connection with appointments, promotions, inspection and the disciplinary system.
Membership of General Judiciary Council204 SO3. The General Council of the Judicial Power shall consist of the President of the Supreme Court, who shall preside it, and of twenty members appointed by the King for a five-year period, of which twelve shall be judges and magistrates of all judicial categories, under the terms provided for by the organic act; four nominated by the Congress and four by the Senate, elected in both cases by three-fifths of their members amongst lawyers and other jurists of acknowledged competence with more than fifteen years of professional practice.
Section 123
Supreme Court62, 102, 117, 122, 152 C1. The Supreme Court, with jurisdiction over the whole of Spain, is the highest judicial body in all branches of justice, except with regard to provisions concerning constitutional guarantees.
President of the Supreme Court2. The President of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the King, on the General Council of the Judicial Powers' proposal in the manner to be laid down by the law.
Section 124
Public Prosecutor1, 9, 117 C1. The Office of Public Prosecutor, without prejudice to functions entrusted to other bodies, has the task of promoting the operation of justice in the defence of the rule of law, of citizens' rights and of the public interest as safeguarded by the law, whether ex officio or at the request of interested parties, as well as that of protecting the independence of the courts and securing before them the satisfaction of social interest.
2. The Office of Public Prosecutor shall discharge its duties through its own bodies in accordance with the principles of unity of operation and hierarchical subordination, subject in all cases to the principles of the rule of law and of impartiality.
3. The organic statute of the Office of the Public Prosecutor shall be laid down by law.
State's public Prosecutor122.2 C4. The State's Public Prosecutor shall be appointed by the King on the Government's proposal after consultation with the General Council of the Judicial Power.
Section 125
Popular action, Jury23, 105 a), b), 117, 122 CCitizens may engage in popular action and take part in the administration of justice through the institution of the jury, in the manner and with respect to those criminal trials as may be determined by law, as well as in customary and traditional courts.
Section 126
Judiciary Police104, 117, 122, 124 CThe judicial police shall report to the judges, the courts and the Public Prosecutor when discharging their duties of crime investigation and the discovery and arrest of offenders, under the terms to be laid down by the law.
Section 127
Judges and magistrates6, 7, 23.2, 28, 70.1 d), 117, 122, 124.3 C1. Judges and magistrates as well as public prosecutors, whilst actively in office, may not hold other public office nor belong to political parties or unions. The law shall make provision for the system and methods of political independence Right of associationprofessional association for judges, magistrates and prosecutors.
Disqualifications2. The law shall make provision for the system of incompatibilities for members of Judicial Power, which must ensure their total independence.