Pursuant to Article 152 of the Constitution of the Republic, the Supreme Court of Justice is the highest jurisdictional body of all judicial bodies. It shall be composed of no less than sixteen judges and may meet, deliberate and rule validly with the quorum determined by the law establishing its organization. It shall be divided into chambers, in accordance with the law.
The territorial jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Justice is national.
To be a judge of the Supreme Court of Justice is required:
- Be Dominican by birth or origin and be over thirty-five years of age;
- Be in full exercise of civil and political rights;
- Hold a degree or doctorate in law;
- To have exercised for at least twelve years the profession of lawyer, the university teaching of law or to have performed, for the same period of time, the functions of judge within the Judiciary or representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office. These periods may be accumulated.
The administration of justice at the national level is organized, based on the territory (ratione loci), in as many judicial departments and judicial districts as are created by law. Currently, the Judicial Branch consists of eleven (11) judicial departments and thirty-five (35) judicial districts, namely:
- Judicial Department of the National District. Comprises the Judicial District of the National District.
- Judicial Department of the Province of Santo Domingo. It includes the Judicial Districts of Santo Domingo and Monte Plata.
- Judicial Department of Santiago. It includes the Judicial Districts of Santiago and Valverde.
- Judicial Department of La Vega. It includes the Judicial Districts of La Vega, Espaillat, Constanza, Sánchez Ramírez and Monseñor Nouel.
- Judicial Department of San Francisco de Macorís. It includes the Judicial Districts of Duarte, Hermanas Mirabal, María Trinidad Sánchez and Samaná.
- Judicial Department of San Pedro de Macorís. It includes the Judicial Districts of San Pedro de Macorís, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, La Romana and La Altagracia.
- Judicial Department of San Cristobal. It includes the Judicial Districts of San Cristóbal, Villa Altagracia, Peravia, Azua and San José de Ocoa.
- Judicial Department of Barahona. It includes the Judicial Districts of Barahona, Bahoruco, Independencia and Pedernales.
- Judicial Department of San Juan de la Maguana. It includes the Judicial Districts of San Juan de la Maguana, Las Matas de Farfán and Elías Piña.
- Judicial Department of Montecristi. It includes the Judicial Districts of Montecristi, Dajabón and Santiago Rodríguez.
- Judicial Department of Puerto Plata. It includes the Judicial District of Puerto Plata.
