Dominican Republic Supreme Court President to step down

Luis Henry Molina, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) in the Dominican Republic, has announced he will not seek another term on the high court. The decision was confirmed by Justice Minister Antoliano Peralta following the first meeting of the National Judicial Council (CNM).

Similarly, substitute judge Nancy Salcedo has also communicated her decision not to run for a new term. Both magistrates conveyed their choices through letters sent to President Luis Abinader, who chairs the CNM. These withdrawals mean the council will now only need to evaluate nine SCJ judges, as two positions will become vacant at the outset of the selection process.

The CNM has established a timeline for evaluating judges whose terms ended on April 5, 2026. Starting August 5, magistrates must submit management reports for April through July. These reports will be publicly accessible for seven days, during which citizens can submit observations or objections. Judges will have an equal period to respond before the council conducts public interviews.

Following the evaluation, the CNM will determine which judges will be ratified. If additional vacancies arise, a new call for candidates will be issued. The selection process for new members is slated for September and October, with the entire procedure tentatively scheduled to conclude around October 23 with the swearing-in of the confirmed or newly appointed magistrates.

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Magistrate President Henry Molina announced through communication to the National Judicial Council that he will not run for a new term in the Supreme Court of Justice, and that Magistrate Nancy Salcedo also did so.