Fernando José Rabat Celis (born 4 December 1972) is a Chilean lawyer and scholar who has served as Minister of Justice and Human Rights since 11 March 2026 during the presidency of José Antonio Kast.[1][2][3]
Fernando Rabat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ministry of Justice and Human Rights | |
| Assumed office 11 March 2026 | |
| President | José Antonio Kast |
| Preceded by | Jaime Gajardo Falcón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fernando José Rabat Celis 4 December 1972 Santiago, Chile |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Rabat is an independent lawyer and a professor of civil law at University of Development. He holds a law degree from Universidad de los Andes and has developed his professional career primarily in private legal practice and academia.[3]
Career
editFernando Rabat was awarded the "Faculty of Law Award" from the University of Los Andes, for the student with the best performance in the program, and received the "Estudio Claro y Cía." award, for the student with the best performance in civil law.[4]
As a member of a private law firm associated with lawyer Pablo Rodríguez Grez, and former president of the Chilean Bar Association Pedro Pablo Vergara, he participated in legal teams involved in the defense of former dictator Augusto Pinochet, including proceedings related to the Riggs Bank case and litigation connected to investigations arising from Colombo Operation.[3]
He also took part in legal actions representing Lucía Hiriart, including a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to overturn a 2018 ruling that ordered the forfeiture of financial assets and properties linked to Pinochet.[3]
During the administration of former President Sebastián Piñera (2018-2022), he served on the Board of the Legal Aid Corporation (CAJ). Rabat is a professor of Civil Law at the Development University.[5]
References
edit- ↑ "Fernando Rabat (Ind), ministro de justicia: la incursión política del abogado que defendió a Pinochet" (in Spanish). La Tercera. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "Profesor Fernando Rabat es nombrado ministro de Justicia y Derechos Humanos" (in Spanish). University for Development. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Fernando Rabat, the former lawyer of dictator Pinochet who will assume the Ministry of Justice". DiarioUsach.cl. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ↑ Ojeda, Juan Manuel (21 January 2026). "Fernando Rabat (Ind), ministro de Justicia: la incursión política del abogado que defendió a Pinochet". La Tercera (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Profesor Fernando Rabat es nombrado ministro de Justicia y Derechos Humanos". Facultad de Derecho Universidad del Desarrollo (in Spanish). 21 January 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.