Judiciary of Macau

The Judiciary of Macao is responsible for the administration of justice in Macau. It hears all prosecutions and civil disputes, including disputes between individuals and the government. It is fundamental to Macau’s legal system that members of the judiciary are independent of the executive and legislative branches of the government. The courts of law in Macau comprise the Court of Final Appeal and 11 other courts. The President of the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao Special Administrative Region is head of the judiciary. A bilingual court system in which Chinese, Portuguese or both can be used was put in place, in accordance with the requirement of the Basic Law.

List of courts of Macau

• Court of Final Appeal (Macau) or Tribunal de Ultima Instancia - the highest court in Macau. The court consists of 3 judges, one is the President.
• Judiciary Council of Macao (Conselho dos Magistrados Judiciais)
• Higher Court of Justice
• Court of First Instance
• Court of First Instance (Tribunais de Primeira Instancia)

• Court of General Competence
• Administrative Court (Tribunal Administrativo)
• Criminal Preliminary Hearing Court (Juizos de Instrucao Cruminal)
• Audit Court
• Tribunal Judicial de Base
• Judiciary Council of Macao (Tribunal Judicial de Base)
• Court of Second Instance or Court of Appeal (Tribunal de Segunda Instancia)

Each court is headed by a chief judge or President.

Appointment of Judges

Judges of Macau are appointed by the Chief Executive of Macau with recommendation of an independent commission composed of local judges, lawyers and eminent persons. Most judges are local Macanese, but foreign judges maybe appointed.

Judiciary Dress

Judges in Macau wear a simple dark gray/off black robe with a dark sash. Some judges have colour cuffs and waist bands (yellow, red and teal). Suits are worn underneath. It is similar to those worn by Portuguese judges.