Courts of Appeal

courts of appeal

Civil Chamber

Investigating Chamber

Criminal Chamber

Commercial Chamber

Labor Chamber

Other Specialized Chambers

The Courts of Appeal in Cambodia adjudicate appeals from judgements of the Courts of First Instance or the Military Court. At present (2022), there are four Courts of Appeal in Cambodia (Phnom Penh Court of Appeal, Sihanoukville Court of Appeal, Battambang Court of Appeal, and Tbong Khmum Court of Appeal). These courts comprise a President, Vice-Presidents, Judges, clerks, administrative officials and other legal experts.¹

The Courts of Appeal have jurisdiction to adjudicate all cases within their respective territorial jurisdictions.²

Each Court of Appeal is divided into specialized chambers including a Civil Chamber, Criminal Chamber, Investigating Chamber, Commercial Chamber, Labor Chamber and other necessary specialized chambers established by Royal Decree.³

These chambers comprise a President of Chamber (who is appointed by the President of the Court of Appeal), Judges and clerks.⁴ As of writing (2022), only Civil, Criminal and Investigating Chambers have been established. Cases related to labor, commercial and administrative disputes are considered to be civil cases which fall under the jurisdiction of the Civil Court.⁵

CIVIL CHAMBER OF COURT OF APPEAL

The Civil Chamber of the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against civil judgements or motions against rulings from the Civil Court of First Instance and other cases that are under its territorial jurisdiction.⁶ Three judges, one of whom is the President of the panel, sit on matters before the Civil Chamber.⁷

CRIMINAL CHAMBER OF COURT OF APPEAL

The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against criminal judgements or verdicts from the Criminal Court of First Instance and other cases within its jurisdiction according to the Code of Criminal Procedure.⁸ The panel comprises three judges.⁹

INVESTIGATING CHAMBER OF COURT OF APPEAL

The Investigating Chamber of the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against investigating actions, orders and rulings of investigating judges and other cases under its jurisdiction.¹⁰ Three judges, one of whom is the President of the panel, sit on matters before the Investigating Chamber.¹¹

COMMERCIAL CHAMBER OF COURT OF APPEAL

The Commercial Chamber of the Court of Appeal legally has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against commercial judgements or motions against rulings from the Commercial Court of First Instance.¹² When established, cases before the Commercial Chamber will be presided over by three judges, one of whom is a president of the panel, with two advisors who are businessmen or commercial law experts.¹³

LABOR CHAMBER OF COURT OF APPEAL

The Labor Chamber of the Court of Appeal legally has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against labor judgements or motions against rulings from Labor Court of First Instance.¹⁴ When established, cases before the Labor Chamber shall be presided over by three judges (one of the judges is the President of the panel) accompanied by two advisors, one being an employer and another being an employee.