East Timor Supreme Court of Justice

The Supreme Court of Justice sits in a modern white building along Rua de Caicoli with a symmetrical facade and large windows that let light flood inside. The structure houses multiple chambers that handle constitutional questions, election disputes, and administrative cases.

The court began operations on May 20, 2002, following East Timor's independence, with preliminary judicial work starting in early 2000 before official founding. This early establishment proved essential for building the rule of law in the emerging nation.

The court embodies a blend of Portuguese legal traditions and local practices that shape how cases are handled and decided. This combination reflects how the newly independent nation built its own justice system from the ground up.

The building is located in Borohun district and sits along a main street in Dili, making it straightforward to reach. Visitors should know that access to courtrooms can be limited when proceedings are underway.

The court oversees four district courts spread across the country, including the remote Oecussi enclave that sits isolated from the mainland by Indonesian territory. This unusual geographical arrangement makes managing the justice system particularly complex.

GPS coordinates: -8.55992,125.57710

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02