Bhutan's judicial system has undergone significant reform since the adoption of the Constitution in 2008, including the establishment of the Supreme Court, strengthening of judicial independence, and modernization of courts.
Overview
The Bhutanese judiciary has been transformed since the 2008 Constitution established a fully independent judicial branch. Reforms have aimed to create a modern, transparent court system consistent with international standards while respecting Bhutanese legal traditions.[1]
Court Structure
The judicial authority of Bhutan is vested in the Royal Courts of Justice comprising:[2]
- Supreme Court — the highest appellate body, with independence enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution
- High Court — handles appeals from lower courts
- Dzongkhag Courts — district-level courts in each of Bhutan's 20 dzongkhags
- Dungkhag Courts — sub-district courts
The National Judicial Commission oversees judicial appointments, with justices appointed by the King on the Commission's advice.[1]
E-Litigation Reform
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Judiciary launched the eLitigation platform — enabling electronic case registration, document filing, payments, and remote hearings across all courts. Developed with UNDP support, the platform was integrated with Gewog Community Centres to bring justice services to rural populations in a country where geographic terrain makes physical court access challenging.[3]
References
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