Law of Spain

Module 4

Courts, the Constitutional Court and the legal professions: the judiciary, the court system, the Supreme Court, constitutional review, prosecution, lawyers, procuradores, notaries and registrars

Spain has a **single, unified judiciary**, **independent** and organised by **subject** and by **territory**: **courts of first instance**, **provincial courts**, **High Courts of Justice** in each region, the **National High Court** and the **Supreme Court**. Apart from them stands the **Constitutional Court**, which is **not part of the ordinary judiciary** and does not hear ordinary appeals: it is the **guardian of the Constitution**. The **legal professions** also have a distinctive shape: **lawyers (*abogados*)** advise and defend, **procuradores** handle the **formal representation in court**, **notaries** draw up **public deeds**, and **registrars** check and record **property and company titles**. A foreigner who needs help must know **which professional does what**. Court **reforms are frequent**, so check the current rules.

General education on the law of Spain, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the region and the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Spanish abogado for any real matter.