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Costa Rica

Republic of Costa Rica

Civil lawUnitary presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-02
Capital
San José
Population
5,100,000
Languages
Spanish
Currency
CRC

Costa Rica · Courts

Court structure of Costa Rica

Every tier of the judiciary, what it hears, and where an appeal goes next.

The hierarchy, top to bottom

Constitutional — Sala Constitucional (Sala IV)
Seven magistrates; amparo, habeas corpus and statute review.
Supreme — Corte Suprema de Justicia
22 magistrates across four chambers.
Appellate — Tribunales de Apelación
Regional appeal courts by subject matter.
First instance — Juzgados
Civil, labour, family, criminal and contentious-administrative courts.

Every court in the hierarchy

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