A constitutional reform in Costa Rica in 1989, spurred by a unique confluence of political competition, economic crisis, and expansion of state capacity within a relatively democratic society, led to the creation of a Constitutional Chamber within the existing Supreme Court. This Constitutional “Court,” the Sala IV, has maintained high and expanding levels of independence and influence, and Costa Rica’s experience with its development may provide useful insights for comparison with other Latin American judicial reforms. This report provides a summary of the Costa Rican Supreme Court’s structure and powers, and it then focuses on the appointment and vetting of judges and Justices in the Costa Rican judicial system. Drawing largely on an interview with Sala IV Justice Anamari Garro, this report emphasizes those informal and less-obvious appointment dynamics that could deserve future study.