History

The Order of Saint Raymond of Peñafort (Orden de San Raimundo de Peñafort) was established by General Francisco Franco on January 23, 1944.

It is awarded in recognition of meritorious services and contributions to the growth and development of the law and justice in Spain. It is conferred upon Spanish and foreign civil servants of the Spanish Ministry of Justice, as well as professors, writers, and researchers, who work directly on justice field.

Originally, the grades were Meritorious Cross with Collar, Cross of Honor with Collar, Distinguished Cross, and Merit Medal. Since 1950, the Order's grades are Meritorious Cross with Collar (known as Grand Cross), Cross of Honor with Collar, Distinguished I Class Cross, Distinguished II Class Cross, Cross, Medal of Merit in Gold, Silver, and Bronze grades. The Order's badge was not modified in the 1950 reform.

This Order is the only Spanish Order that has two different collars, i.e., Meritorious Cross and Cross of Honor.

The Order is also known as the Order of the Cross of St. Raimond of Penafort (Orden de la Cruz de San Raimundo de Peñafort).

The II Class Distinguished Cross consist only of the neck badge.