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Puerto Rico Legal Research

This guide provides an overview of Puerto Rico’s government, court structure, hierarchy of norms, and primary and secondary laws.

Constitution

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was ratified on July 25, 1952.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Capitol of Puerto Rico was inaugurated on February 11, 1929, coinciding with the first session of the Twelfth Legislative Assembly. The monumental building is erected at the entrance of San Juan, on an area measuring 51,814 square feet. The large structure consists of three stories, an extensive basement, and a large rotunda crowned by a welcoming dome topped with large windows.

Luis Muñoz Rivera, who conceived the idea of building this majestic House of Laws, was the author of the project presented for this purpose on February 7, 1907, in the House of Delegates, when the Legislative Branch of Puerto Rico was still housed in the old and uncomfortable building located on the corner of San Francisco and San José Streets in Old San Juan, which was the seat of the Provincial Delegation. The approved project contained an initial allocation of $300,000 and provided for the holding of a contest that called for the submission of plans and specifications for the new construction. Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original text of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with the authentic signatures of all the members of the Constituent Convention who drafted and approved it and whose validity was proclaimed on July 25, 1952, is deposited in the ballot box installed in the very center of the second floor of the Capitol, exposed to the view of all visitors. The vote in the Constituent Assembly took place on February 6, 1952, with 88 in favor, 3 against, and 1 absent. Source.