The Supreme Court of Justice of Uruguay () is the highest court of law and last resort in the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. It serves as the highest appeals court, and appoints and oversees all other judges. Established on 28 October 1907, it is housed in the Palacio Piria, a masterpiece of eclectic architecture from 1917.Palacio Piria
Article 235 of the Constitution establishes that members of the Supreme Court must be at least 40 years of age and either natural-born citizens or legal citizens with at least ten years of citizenship and twenty-five years of residence in the country. They must also have practiced law for a minimum of ten years or have served for at least eight years as a member of the Judiciary or the Public Ministry. Article 236 provides that justices are appointed by the General Assembly by a two-thirds vote of its full membership. Their term of office is ten years, and they are ineligible for re-election until five years have elapsed since the conclusion of their previous term. Their tenure also terminates upon reaching seventy years of age.
The presidency of the Court rotates annually among the justices, following the order of seniority in office.
Powers and duties According to Article 329 to the Supreme Court is assigned:
Judge all violators of the Constitution, without exception; offenses against the law of nations and cases in admiralty; questions relating to treaties, pacts and conventions with other States; and take cognizance of cases involving diplomatic Representatives in such cases as are contemplated in international law. Exercise directive, corrective, advisory, and economic supervision over the Tribunals, Courts and other dependencies of the Judiciary. Prepare the draft budgets of the Judicial Power and transmit them in due course to the Executive Power for inclusion in the draft of the general budget, together with such modifications as may be deemed appropriate. With the approval of the Senate, or during its recess with that of the Permanent Commission, appoint the citizens who shall compose the Appellate Tribunals, such appointments to be contingent upon the following: a favorable vote of three of its members, for candidates who belong to the Judiciary or the Public Ministry; A favorable vote of four, for candidates not having the qualifications of the foregoing paragraph. Appoint the Lawyer Judges of all grades and classes, an absolute majority of all members of the Supreme Court being required in each case. Appoint the permanent Official Defenders and Justices of the Peace by absolute majority of all members of the Supreme Court of Justice. Appoint, promote, or remove, by a vote of four of its members, the employees of the Judicial Power, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 58 to 66, wherever pertinent. Perform such other duties as the law may prescribe.
Membership +Ministers of the Supreme CourtJustice / birthdate and placeStart date / length of serviceSucceeded(President 2026)Tosi BoeriTurell AraquistainPérez ManriqueJulio Alfredo PosadaMartínez RossoÁlvaro FrançaSosa Aguirre
Former members +Ministers of the Supreme Court Name Period Name PeriodNamePeriodCarlos Fein 1907–1908 Edenes A. Mallo 1965–1974Felipe Hounie2015–2018 1907–1908 Velarde Cerdeiras 1967–1972Elena Martínez Rosso2015–2025Luis Piera 1907–1910 Álvaro Méndez Modernell 1972–1974Bernadette Minvielle Sánchez2017–Ezequiel Garzón 1907–1925 Rómulo Vago 1972–1978Eduardo Turell Araquistain2017–2020Benito Cuñarro 1907–1928 Carlos Dubra 1972–1981Luis Tosi2018–2022Luis Romeu Burgues 1908–1925 Sabino Dante Sabini 1973–1979Tabaré Sosa Aguirre2019–2026Julio Bastos 1908–1929 Agustín de Vega 1974–1976John Pérez Brignani2020–Pablo de María 1911–1914 Francisco José Márcora 1974–1978Doris Morales Martínez2022–Abel Pinto 1914–1934 José Pedro Gatto de Souza 1976–1984Julio Alfredo Posada2025–Ramón Montero Paullier 1925–1928 Enrique Frigerio 1978–1983Álvaro França2026–Miguel V. Martínez 1925–1933 Ramiro López Rivas 1978–1984Teófilo Piñeiro 1928–1931 José Pedro Igoa 1979–1981Juan A. Méndez del Marco 1928–1939 Erik Colombo 1981–1982Julio Guani 1929–1944 Sara Fons de Genta 1981–1985Pedro Aladio 1931–1934 Juan José Silva Delgado 1983–1985Juan Aguirre y González 1934–1940 Rafael Addiego Bruno 1984–1993Mariano Pereira Núñez 1935–1938 Jacinta Balbela 1985–1989Blas Vidal 1935–1938 Nelson Nicoliello 1985–1989Román Álvarez Cortés 1938–1941 Armando Tommasino 1985–1992Zoilo Saldías 1938–1942 Nelson García Otero 1985–1992Jaime Cibils Larravide 1940–1942 Jorge Pessano 1989–1990Juan José Aguiar 1940–1948 Jorge Marabotto 1990–2000Amaro Carve Urioste 1941–1945 Luis Torello 1991–1998José B. Nattino 1942–1947 Raúl Alonso de Marco 1992–2002Juan M. Minelli 1942–1949 Juan Mariño Chiarlone 1993–2001Eduardo Artecona 1944–1953 Milton Cairoli1993–2003Enrique Armand Ugón 1945–1952 1998–2003Francisco Gamarra 1947–1953 Roberto Parga 2000–2007Bolívar Baliñas 1949–1950 Leslie van Rompaey 2002–2012Álvaro Macedo 1949–1959 Daniel Gutiérrez 2002–2012Rivera Astigarraga 1951–1961 Pablo Troise 2003–2006Manuel López Esponda 1952–1962 Hipólito Rodríguez Caorsi 2003–2009Luis Alberto Bouza 1954–1964 Sara Bossio 2006–2008Julio César De Gregorio 1954–1964 Julio César Chalar 2012–2014 Esteban Ruiz 1962–1967 Jorge Ruibal 2007–2015Hamlet Reyes 1962–1972 Jorge Larrieux 2008–2016Emilio Siemens Amaro 1962–1972 Jorge Chediak 2009–2019Alberto Sánchez Rogé 1965–1973 Ricardo Pérez Manrique 2012–2017
References
External links Uruguayan Judiciary