Supreme Court of Grand Besaid

The Supreme Court of Grand Besaid is the highest court in Grand Besaid and is the final court of appeal in the justice system. It is also responsible for the interpretation of laws and the constitution, and for excersizing judicial review, though both may be overturned by a supermajority vote of the National Assembly with Presidential approval.

The court grants permission to hundreds of litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by lower federal appellate courts, and even some state supreme courts depending on the case. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in all matters where a state is a party, and when certain foreign or domestic officials are involved.

The Supreme Court consists of fourteen justices: seven are elected by the entire national electorate, one every even year; seven are appointed by a legislative commission formed by delegates from the National Assembly and the various state legislatures, one every odd year. Supreme Court Justices serve terms of fourteen years; a person may only be a member of the Supreme Court once every twenty years.

The President chooses the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from amongst the current members of the Supreme Court on the advice and consent of the House of Representatives for two year terms.

The Constitution of Grand Besaid describes the jurisdiction of the judiciary as follows:

The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of Grand Besaid, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which Grand Besaid shall be a party; to controversies between two or more states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens of different states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.