Born in Mora de Rubielos (Teruel) in 1950, he is married and has one son.

He is a member of Democratic Justice.

He is founder of the 'Judges for Democracy' Association of which he has been in succession a member of the secretariat reponsible for association relation, spokesman for the Association and member responsible for institutional relations until the Congress of 1990.

He is also a founder member of 'Magistrats europeens pour la democratie et les libertes', of which he has been vice president.

He was a founder of the 'Association for Human Rights in the Basque Country'. He has been president, and is currently a member of the Board.

Since 1975, he has been a judge, and has had various postings in La Gomera, Berga, Vic and Alcoy.

From 1981 to 1990, he has been a judge, president of the 2nd Division and president of the Provincial Court of Vizcaya.

In 1990, he was elected by the Spanish Parliament to be a member of the General Council of the Judiciary. He is delegate councillor for training and relations with the Basque Autonomous Community.

He was appointed minister of justice on July 14th, 1993.

Since May 5th, 1994, he is Minister of Justice and the Interior.