It is not part of the judicial branch and is functionally independent of the Congress and the President.
The court is housed in the Ex Caja de Crédito Hipotecario building, which is located at 1234 Huérfanos Street in downtown Santiago.
Until 2005, some members were designated by the National Security Council (a civic-military committee).
Also, the Court has attributions on the convocation to referendums, outlawing groups or parties which seriously violate the institutional order, deposing members of Congress who seriously infringe the constitution, resolving conflicts between lower courts and administrative agencies, and many others.
In the event a quorum is below the legally required, deputy ministers (ministros suplentes), or substitute attorneys (abogados integrantes) are designated.