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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-14/philippines-judicial-system.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Philippine judiciary" />
</div>
<p>
Complete provision was made for a system of judicial tribunals from the highest to the lowest to cover all parts of the archipelago that were 

subject to (US) civil authority and were not specially excepted. It made provision for three classes of courts: a Supreme Court to be located at 

Manila, courts of first instance, and courts of justices of the peace. 
</p>
<p>
In addition it left to the mayors of municipalities the powers conferred upon them by the municipal code to try offenses  against municipal 

ordinances. Provost courts, with their special powers, were continued in existence where they were deemed necessary by the military governor.
</p>

<p>
The Supreme Court was made to consist of a chief justice and six associate judges. Their qualifications are that they shall be more than thirty 

years of age, citizens of the United States or natives of the Philippine Islands, or have by virtue of the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/5/the-treaty-of-paris-of-1899" class="news_link">Treaty of Paris</a> the political rights 

of natives of the islands, and have practiced law or been a judge of a court of record in the United States or in the Philippine Islands or in 

Spain, or, previously to the date of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, in any Spanish territory for a period of five years, or for a like 

period have filled any office which requires a legal degree as an indispensable qualification in the Philippine Islands, or, previously to the 

date of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, in any Spanish territory. 
</p>


June 11, 1901: an act providing for the organization of courts was approved