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Court upon proposal by the High Council of the Judiciary.
For better administration of justice, Courts may sit in any place within their
territorial jurisdiction, but this should not jeopardize cases adjudicated at the usual
seat of the Court.
An Organic Law shall determine the organisation, jurisdiction and the functioning of
Courts.
Sub-section 1: Ordinary Courts
A. Supreme Court
• Right to appeal judicial decisions
• Judicial precedence
• Structure of the courts
Article 144
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. The decision of the Supreme
Court shall not be subject to appeal save in terms of petitions for the exercise of the
prerogative of mercy or revision of a judicial decision. Its decisions shall be binding
on all parties concerned whether organs of the State, public officials, civilians,
military, judicial officers or private individuals.
• Supreme court powers
• Right to appeal judicial decisions
• Constitutional interpretation
• International law
• Legal status of treaties
• Referenda
• Head of government removal
• Head of state removal
Rwanda 2003 (rev. 2010)
Article 145: Jurisdiction and responsibilities of the
Supreme Court
The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court shall include:
1°. hearing appeals against decisions of the High Court, Commercial High
Court and the Military High Court rendered in their first or appellate
degrees as provided for by the Law;
2°. ensuring that courts act in accordance with the Law, coordinating and
supervising their activities;
3°. hearing petitions on the constitutionality of International Treaties and
agreements, Organic Laws, laws and Decree-laws;
4°. resolving upon request, disputes arising between different State organs,
relating to the exercise of power;
5°. hearing election petitions relating to referendum, presidential and
legislative elections;
6°. trying in the first and last instance criminal cases against the President of
the Republic, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Chamber of
Deputies, the President of the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister;
7°. administering the oath of office of the President of the Republic;
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