The General Council of the Judicial Power is the autonomous institution which governs all the judicial instances of Spain, such as tribunals, courts, and judges, as it is established by the Spanish Constitution of 1978, article 122. The GCJP does not act as a Tribunal itself. Its major functions are to assure the independence of the individuals and institutions under its government in front of other State institutions. A tribunal is a generic term for any body acting judicially, whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title. ... A court is an official, public forum which a sovereign establishes by lawful authority to adjudicate disputes, and to dispense civil, labour, administrative and criminal justice under the law. ... A judge or justice is an official who presides over a court. ... The Spanish Constitution of 1978 is the culmination of the Spanish transition to democracy. ...