Dominican Republic Names New Chief Justice
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · COURTS
Key Facts
- What is happening The Dominican Republic’s judicial council named Justiniano Montero Supreme Court president on Monday, 2 November.
- Why it matters The Supreme Court is the final appeal in civil, commercial and criminal cases, including property and business disputes.
- The numbers The vote was unanimous; six new judges were chosen; swearing-in is Tuesday, 10 November, 9:00 a.m.
- Who is who Montero has sat on the court since April 2019; outgoing president Luis Henry Molina did not seek another term.
- What to watch The swearing-in on 10 November and how the six new judges are assigned to the court’s chambers.
- What it means for you Anyone with a civil, commercial or property case in the Dominican Republic will face a court under new leadership.
The Dominican Republic has a new chief justice, Supreme Court judge Justiniano Montero. The council chose him unanimously on Monday, 2 November.
The Dominican Republic’s judicial appointments council named Justiniano Montero Montero president of the Supreme Court on Monday, 2 November. The Presidency, the president’s office, said the vote was unanimous and the council also picked six new judges.
The Dominican Republic chief justice leads the country’s highest court, which has the final say on civil, commercial and criminal appeals. For foreign investors, property buyers and Dominican families in the United States, new leadership there shapes how disputes end.
What the Council Decided
The National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) is the body that appoints Supreme Court judges. It was chaired by President Luis Abinader, the country’s head of state, and used its powers under Article 180 of the Constitution.
The council’s secretary, Nancy Salcedo Fernández, who is also a Supreme Court judge, announced the choices when the session ended. It also named the president’s two stand-ins: Diomede Ydelfo Villalona Guerrero first and Arelis Socorro Ricourt Gómez second.
The council gave a special recognition to outgoing president Luis Henry Molina and to Salcedo for their service. Those present included the Senate and Chamber of Deputies presidents and the head of the Constitutional Tribunal, which rules on constitutional questions.
Who Is Justiniano Montero
Montero holds a law doctorate from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the country’s main public university. The Presidency says he has been a Supreme Court judge since April 2019.
As of September he led the court’s First Chamber, which hears civil and commercial cases such as contracts and property. The council confirmed him for another seven years on Tuesday, 8 September, with four other sitting judges.
The Six New Judges
The six appointments fill the six vacancies left open after the September review. The Presidency listed these names:
- Julio César Emilio Canó Alfau
- Antonia Josefina Grullón Blandino
- Amauris Antonio Pimentel Fabiano
- Arelis Socorro Ricourt Gómez
- Diomede Ydelfo Villalona Guerrero
- Ylona María de la Rocha Camilo
Two of the six, Villalona and Ricourt, were also named first and second stand-in for the court’s president. The statement gives no biographies for the new judges.
How the Court Reached This Point
Molina, the court’s president since 2019, said in early August he would not seek another term. Judge Nancy Salcedo made the same choice, which left the president’s chair open.
The council’s public hearings opened on Monday, 5 October, with 21 of the 88 candidates nominated for the vacancies. On 2 November it chose the six judges and the new president.
What It Means for You
The new president led the court’s civil and commercial chamber, which covers contracts and property. No change in rules was announced, and the statement says nothing about policy.
The court rules on final appeals, so it matters to land buyers and business owners. Related Rio Times reports are Dominican Republic Hears 20 Supreme Court Hopefuls and Dominican Republic Judge Selection Advances.
More is in Dominican Republic politics and key players and the economy guide. The Dominican Republic hub and the Santo Domingo city page give wider context.
What Is Not Known
The Presidency’s statement gives no individual votes or reasons for the choices. It does not say how the new judges will be split among the court’s chambers.
It is not stated who will lead each chamber now. It also gives no figure for how many judges the court will have.
What Comes Next
The six judges are sworn in at the National Palace on Tuesday, 10 November. They take office at the Supreme Court’s headquarters later that morning.
The statement does not say how the chambers will be organised. It gives no date for the first session of the new court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new head of the Dominican Supreme Court?
Justiniano Montero Montero, a Supreme Court judge since April 2019, was named president on Monday, 2 November. The Presidency says the council chose him unanimously.
Who chose the new Supreme Court president?
The National Council of the Magistracy, chaired by President Luis Abinader. It includes the heads of Congress’s two chambers, the Constitutional Tribunal president and the outgoing court president.
When do the new judges take office?
They are sworn in on Tuesday, 10 November, at 9:00 a.m. in the National Palace. They take office at the Supreme Court at 11:00 a.m.
What happens to Luis Henry Molina?
Molina led the court from 2019 and said in early August he would not seek another term. The council gave him a special recognition for his service.
Sources: Presidency of the Dominican Republic, statement of 2 November 2026 on the National Council of the Magistracy; Presidency of the Dominican Republic, statement of 8 September 2026 on five confirmed judges; both pages accessed 3 November 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief