Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia is located in Phnom Penh. It comprises a President, Vice-Presidents, Judges, clerks, administrative officials and other legal experts.1
The Supreme Court adjudicates cases under its jurisdiction, as set by law.2
The Supreme Court is divided into the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court, Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, Commercial Chamber of the Supreme Court, Labor Chamber of the Supreme Court, and other necessary specialized Chambers established by Royal Decree.3
Each Chamber of the Supreme Court comprises a President of the Chamber (appointed by the President of the Supreme Court), 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
Beside regular hearing procedures, there are two special procedures before the Supreme Court: the Plenary Hearing Chamber and Joint Hearing Chamber. The Plenary Hearing Chamber may be convened and will be presided over by the President of the Supreme Court with at least nine judges, where judgements or verdicts from the Court of Appeal have been appealed twice or final and enforceable Judgements have been requested for re-trial.6 The Joint Hearing Chamber, comprising at least nine judges, is convened to consider the jurisdiction of a case where it is unclear which Chamber has jurisdiction over the case.7
CIVIL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT
The Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against judgements or verdicts of the Civil Chamber of Court of Appeal, and motions against the rulings from the Civil Chamber of Court of Appeal. In rare instances, the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court also has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against judgements or verdicts from the Civil Court of First Instance (for example, small claims cases) per the Code of Civil Procedure.8
CRIMINAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT
The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against judgements or verdicts of the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal.9 Trial procedures follow the Code of Criminal Procedure.
COMMERCIAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT
The Commercial Chamber of the Supreme Court legally has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against judgements or decisions over commercial disputes made by the Court of Appeal.10 As of writing (2022), the Commercial Chamber of the Supreme Court has not yet been established.
LABOR CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT
The Labor Chamber of the Supreme Court legally has jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals against judgements or decisions of the Court of Appeal concerning labor disputes.11 As of writing (2022), the Labor Chamber of the Supreme Court has not yet been established.