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Holy See (Vatican City)

Vatican City State

Canon law and civil lawEcclesiastical elective absolute monarchyReviewed· 2026-08-02
Capital
Vatican City
Population
800
Languages
Italian, Latin
Currency
EUR

Holy See (Vatican City) · Courts

Court structure of Holy See (Vatican City)

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

The hierarchy, top to bottom

Supreme — Supreme Court of Cassation
Highest Vatican tribunal.
Appellate — Court of Appeal
Hears appeals in Vatican cases.
First instance — Tribunal of Vatican City State
General first-instance court.

Every court in the hierarchy

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