Costa Rica is governed by the Constitution of 1949 (<i>Constitución Politica de la
República de Costa Rica</i>). Similar in scope to most modern constitutions, the
Costa Rican Constitution defines and establishes a system of checks and balances
with separaton of powers between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches
of government.
<p>
In 1989, by constitutional amendment, a Constitutional branch was
established within the Supreme Court of Costa Rica. This chamber (<i>Sala Constitucional</i>)
has specific jurisdiction over matters that involve the Constitution and violation of
constitutional rights.
<p>
The reader may read the Spanish or Englih full text below:
<p>
<blockquote>
<A HREF="/constitutional_law/constitution_es.php"><B> Constitution in Spanish</B></A>
<p>
<A HREF="/constitutional_law/constitution_en.php"><B> Constitution in English</B></A>
</blockquote>
<p>
<b>Related:</b>
<p>
<P><A HREF="http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional/" rel='nofollow' target="_blank">
<B>Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court Web Site</B></A><p>
This is the official site of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.
The site includes the Constitutional Bulletin which highlights major decisions
of the Constitutional Court.