2. Constitution of the Guatemalan Republic:
Is a book where are contained all the laws in the country, has 281 articles which says how the
Guatemalan people has to live, is the supreme law of the country 31 May 1985, effective 14 January
1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following
ouster of president; amended November 1993
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Legislative Power:
Is responsible of the creation of the laws.
Is conformed by the Congress of the Republic, this institution has 158 deputies elected by the people, so
they create laws for the public good.
Judicial Power:
Is responsible to enforce the law in the country.
Supreme Court of Justice (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the
Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises
trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court (five judges are
elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the
Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one
appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and
one by Colegio de Abogados
