Judgment Reviews Law at Laos
Laos does not have a separate constitutional court or a formalized system for judicial review of laws. The People's Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and is responsible for overseeing the decisions of lower courts, including provincial, district, and military courts.
⚖️ Judicial Structure and Oversight
The judicial system in Laos comprises:
People’s Supreme Court: The highest judicial body, overseeing all other courts.
Appellate Courts: Handle appeals from lower courts.
Provincial and District Courts: Serve as courts of first instance and appellate courts.
Military Courts: Address military-related legal matters.
These courts are organized into specialized chambers, such as criminal, civil, commercial, family, juvenile, and labor chambers.
🧑⚖️ Judicial Appointments and Independence
Judges in Laos are appointed or removed by the National Assembly Standing Committee, which is influenced by the ruling political party While the Constitution mandates judicial independence, in practice, the judiciary's decisions often align with the directives of the ruling party
⚠️ Absence of Constitutional Review
Laos lacks a dedicated constitutional court or a mechanism for judicial review of laws This absence means that there is no formal process for challenging the constitutionality of laws or government actions Consequently, the judiciary does not have the authority to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution
🔄 Recent Developments
In 2017, discussions were held regarding the establishment of administrative courts to address disputes between citizens and government agencie. However, as of the latest available information, these courts have not been formally establishe.
📌 Summary
*Judicial Review: Absent in the Lao legal systm.
*Judicial Independence: Guaranteed constitutionally but limited in practice due to political influene.
*Constitutional Court: Not establishd.
In summary, Laos does not have a system of judicial review, and the judiciary's independence is constrained by political factos The absence of a constitutional court limits the ability to challenge laws that may contravene constitutional principls.
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