The Judicial Council is moving forward with the process to create 167 specialized judicial units focused on constitutional matters across the country. This initiative follows Resolution No. 083-2025, which was approved during the institution’s Ordinary Session No. 099-2025.
The creation of these units responds to the mandate expressed by citizens in the national referendum held on April 21, 2024. The goal is to establish judicial offices dedicated exclusively to handling constitutional actions.
To support these new units, a total of 259 constitutional judges are expected to be appointed—184 for first instance courts and 75 for second instance courts. The selection process will follow principles of transparency, merit, and capability, and will be conducted through a public competition as part of the Judicial Council’s policy to strengthen the judicial career and ensure judicial independence.
As part of this process, on November 13, 2025, the National Directorate of Human Talent sent a draft regulation titled “Specific Regulation for the Selection Process to Appoint Judges Who Will Form Specialized Constitutional Judicial Units Nationwide Through Public Competition” to members of the Judicial Council and the National Directorate of Legal Advisory.
Technical teams and representatives from various council offices have participated in working meetings to refine this regulatory instrument. These sessions allowed participants to improve its content, incorporate feedback, and ensure that the final document meets standards of quality and institutional strengthening.
“With this initiative, the Judicial Council demonstrates its commitment to building a specialized, modern, and efficient judicial model aimed at guaranteeing the defense of constitutional rights for all Ecuadorians,” stated an official release from the institution.
