Holy See (Vatican City) · Overview
The legal system of Holy See (Vatican City)
A unique jurisdiction in which the Pope holds supreme legislative, executive and judicial power. Canon law is the primary law, supplemented by Vatican statutes and, where compatible, Italian law applied subsidiarily. It uses the euro under agreement with the EU.
Legal tradition
Holy See (Vatican City) belongs to the canon law and civil law tradition. A unique jurisdiction in which the Pope holds supreme legislative, executive and judicial power. Canon law is the primary law, supplemented by Vatican statutes and, where compatible, Italian law applied subsidiarily. It uses the euro under agreement with the EU.
How power is divided
Power is concentrated in the Supreme Pontiff, exercised through the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State (legislative), the Governorate (executive) and the Vatican tribunals (judicial).
Where law comes from
- Canon law
- The 1983 Code of Canon Law, the primary source.
- Fundamental Law
- The 2023 constitutional charter of the State.
- Vatican statutes
- Laws issued for Vatican City State.
- Italian law (subsidiary)
- Applied where compatible and not otherwise provided.
The legal profession
Advocates are enrolled with the Vatican tribunals; canon lawyers (canonists) practise before ecclesiastical courts.
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