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Institutions

Supreme Court of Puerto Rico

The court of last resort in Puerto Rico’s judicial system. It reviews matters within its legal jurisdiction, interprets law, and exercises rulemaking and professional-discipline powers; its Chief Justice directs judicial administration.

Arts. 2.001–2.002, 2.012, 3.002 ↗Art. V, secs. 3–8 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico · Supreme Court of Puerto Rico

CourtState-levelActive

Spanish legal name: Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico. Spanish legal names are retained. Some English names are functional translations.

Official websiteThe mapPractice
Government level
State-level
Branch or grouping
Judicial
Type
Court
Sources consulted
Oct 18, 2026

What it does

  • Reviews Court of Appeals decisions. Some appeals must be heard, including specified decisions on unconstitutionality, while certiorari review is discretionary. A third round of review is not automatic in every case.Art. 3.002(b)–(d) ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Also has original jurisdiction over writs such as habeas corpus and mandamus. The law permits certification of pending matters from other forums in specified circumstances; the Trial Court–Appeals–Supreme Court sequence is therefore a guide, not a mandatory route for every matter.Art. 3.002(a), (e)–(g) ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Adopts rules of evidence, civil and criminal procedure, and court administration through the constitutional process. The Legislature retains the powers the Constitution gives it concerning those rules.Art. V, secs. 6–7 ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Regulates legal and notarial practice and handles professional discipline. Investigations or reports from the Solicitor General’s Office inform that process; they do not replace the Court’s decision.What is the Supreme Court? ↗Art. 62 ↗ · Sources consulted:

In everyday life

After a Court of Appeals decision, a party may seek Supreme Court review through the applicable proceeding. Many matters involve certiorari, which the Court may decline to grant. Read the official decision to understand its effect: an opinion establishes doctrine, while not every disposition has the same precedential reach.Cases and controversies; judgments and opinions ↗Art. 3.002 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Government & participation ↗

How to distinguish it from other institutions

Adjudication and administration are different functions: the Court decides cases; its Chief Justice runs judicial administration with OAT assistance. An administrative request to OAT is not an appeal from a judgment.Art. V, sec. 7 ↗Art. 2.016 ↗ · Sources consulted:

It is not part of the Justice Department. Gubernatorial appointment and Senate confirmation are appointment mechanisms, not powers to direct the outcome of an individual case.Art. V, secs. 1–2, 8 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Official services and information

Confirm requirements, forms, and schedules on the linked official portal.

Where it fits

Map groupings support navigation; they do not themselves establish reporting authority.

Legal basis

Constitution art. V establishes the Court and its basic powers. Act 201-2003, as amended, arts. 2.001, 3.001, and 3.002, organizes its place in the system and jurisdiction. The constitutional text originally specifies four associate justices and permits the number to be changed by law at the Court’s request.Art. V, secs. 1–5 ↗Arts. 3.001–3.002 ↗ · Sources consulted:

The enabling reference is a reading aid. Consult applicable texts and amendments in official sources; directory cards can retain older references.

Leadership & appointments

Chief Justice

Justices are appointed by the governor with Senate advice and consent. Supreme Court justices cannot take office before confirmation; they serve during good behavior, subject to mandatory retirement at 70. The official page identifies Maite D. Oronoz Rodríguez as Chief Justice. This profile does not present a certified roster of all nine seats.Art. V, secs. 8–10 ↗Chief Justice ↗ · Sources consulted:

Maite D. Oronoz Rodríguez

Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Sources & method ↓

Appointment
Verification pending
Confirmation
Verification pending
Term end
Verification pending

Governance & composition

The current statutory composition is one Chief Justice and eight associate justices: nine seats, not a corporate board or a claim that every seat is filled. It may sit en banc or in panels of at least three. Invalidating a statute requires a majority of the Court’s total membership as established by the Constitution or law.Art. 3.001 ↗Art. V, sec. 4 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026

Sources & method

The consultation date is not the institution’s own update date.

  1. Constitución de Puerto Rico — Artículo V (Poder Judicial) ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/constitucion/articulo-v/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  2. Poder Judicial — Tribunal Supremo ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/tribunal-supremo/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  3. https://poderjudicial.pr/constitucion/ ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/constitucion/Sources consulted: Oct 17, 2026
  4. Ley 201-2003 — Ley de la Judicatura (compilación OGP) ↗https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/LeyesOrganicas/Pages/201-2003.pdfSources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Document revised: May 21, 2026
  5. Ley 205-2004 — Departamento de Justicia (compilación OGP) ↗https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/LeyesOrganicas/Pages/205-2004.pdfSources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Document revised: Oct 12, 2026
  6. Poder Judicial — Composición del Tribunal Supremo ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/tribunal-supremo/composicion-del-tribunal-supremo/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  7. Poder Judicial — Decisiones del Tribunal Supremo ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/tribunal-supremo/decisiones-del-tribunal-supremo/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
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