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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
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Jurisdiction and Access
Seychelles
- English(1) A person who alleges that any provisions of this Constitution, other than a provision of Chapter III3, has been contravened and that the person’s interest is being or is likely to be affected by the contravention may, subject to this article, apply to the Constitutional Court for redress.
(2) The Constitutional Court may decline to entertain an application under clause (1) where the Court is satisfied that the applicant has obtained redress for the contravention under any law and where the applicant has obtained redress in the Constitutional Court for any matter for which an application may be made under clause (1), a court shall not entertain any application for redress for such matter except on appeal from a decision of such court.
(3) Where the Constitutional Court on an application under clause (1) is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned in any other court under any other law, the Court may hear the application or transfer the application to the appropriate court for grant of redress in accordance with law.
(4) Upon hearing an application under clause (1), the Constitutional Court may-
(a) declare any act or omission which is the subject of the application to be a contravention of this Constitution;
(b) declare any law or the provision of any law which contravenes this Constitution to be void;
(c) grant any remedy available to the Supreme Court against any person or authority which is the subject of the application or which is a party to any proceedings before the Constitutional Court, as the Court considers appropriate.
…
(6) Where in the course of any proceedings in any court, other than the Court of Appeal or the supreme court sittings as the Constitutional Court, or tribunal, a question arises with regard to whether there has been or is likely to be a contravention of this Constitution, other than Chapter III, the court or tribunal shall, if it is satisfied that the question is not frivolous or vexatious or has not already been the subject of a decision of the Constitutional Court or the Court of Appeal, immediately adjourn the proceedings and refer the question for determination by the Constitutional Court.
(7) Where in an application under clause (1) or where a matter is referred to the Constitutional Court under clause (6), the person alleging the contravention or risk of contravention establishes a prima facie case, the burden of proving that there has not been a contravention or risk of contravention shall, where the allegation is against the State, be on the State.
… (Art. 130)
Jurisdiction and Access
Bangladesh
- English(1) There shall be a Supreme Court for Bangladesh (to be known as the Supreme Court of Bangladesh) comprising the Appellate Division and the High Court Division.
… (Art. 94) - Bengali(১) "বাংলাদেশ সুপ্রীম কোর্ট" নামে বাংলাদেশের একটি সর্বোচ্চ আদালত থাকিবে এবং আপীল বিভাগ ও হাইকোর্ট বিভাগ লইয়া তাহা গঠিত হইবে।
… (অনুচ্ছেদ ৯৪)
Jurisdiction and Access
Ireland
- English…
3 2° Save as otherwise provided by this Article, the jurisdiction of the High Court shall extend to the question of the validity of any law having regard to the provisions of this Constitution, and no such question shall be raised (whether by pleading, argument or otherwise) in any Court established under this or any other Article of this Constitution other than the High Court, the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
3° No Court whatever shall have jurisdiction to question the validity of a law, or any provision of a law, the Bill for which shall have been referred to the Supreme Court by the President under Article 26 of this Constitution, or to question the validity of a provision of a law where the corresponding provision in the Bill for such law shall have been referred to the Supreme Court by the President under the said Article 26.
…
4 2° No law shall be enacted excepting from the appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal cases which involve questions as to the validity of any law having regard to the provisions of this Constitution.
…
5 5° No law shall be enacted excepting from the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court cases which involve questions as to the validity of any law having regard to the provisions of this Constitution.
… (Art. 34) - Irish Gaelic…
3 2° Taobh amuigh de chás dá socraítear a mhalairt leis an Airteagal seo, beidh dlínse ag an Ard-Chúirt maidir leis an gceist sin bail a bheith nó gan a bheith ar aon dlí áirithe ag féachaint d’fhorálacha an Bhunreachta seo, agus ní cead aon cheist den sórt sin a tharraingt anuas (trí phléadáil ná argóint ná eile) i gCúirt ar bith, arna bunú faoin Airteagal seo nó faoi aon Airteagal eile den Bhunreacht seo, seachas an Ard-Chúirt, an Chúirt Achomhairc nó an Chúirt Uachtarach.
3° Ní bheidh dlínse ag Cúirt ar bith chun bailíocht dhlí nó fhorála ar bith de dhlí a chur in amhras is dlí a ndearna an tUachtarán an Bille lena aghaidh a chur faoi bhreith na Cúirte Uachtaraí faoi Airteagal 26 den Bhunreacht seo, ná chun bailíocht fhorála de dhlí a chur in amhras má rinne an tUachtarán an fhoráil chomhréire sa Bhille le haghaidh an dlí sin a chur faoi bhreith na Cúirte Uachtaraí faoin Airteagal sin 26.
…
4 2° Ní cead aon dlí a achtú a chuirfeadh ar an taobh amuigh de dhlínse achomhairc na Cúirte Achomhairc cásanna ina mbeadh ceisteanna le réiteach i dtaobh bail a bheith nó gan a bheith ar aon dlí, ag féachaint d’fhorálacha an Bhunreachta seo.
…
5 5° Ní cead aon dlí a achtú a chuirfeadh ar an taobh amuigh de dhlínse achomhairc na Cúirte Uachtaraí cásanna ina mbeadh ceisteanna le réiteach i dtaobh bail a bheith nó gan a bheith ar aon dlí, ag féachaint d’fhorálacha Bhunreachta seo.
… (Airteagal 34)
Jurisdiction and Access
Central African Republic
- EnglishThe President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the Prime Minister or one-quarter (1/4) of the members of each Chamber of the Parliament may refer a request for [its] opinion to the Constitutional Court. (Art. 97)
- FrenchLe Président de la République, Ie Président de l'Assemblée Nationale, Ie Président du Sénat, Ie Premier Ministre ou un quart (1/4) des membres de chaque chambre du Parlement peuvent saisir la Cour Constitutionnelle d'une demande d'avis. (Art. 97)
Jurisdiction and Access
Sudan
- English(1) Anyone harmed by the actions of the Sovereignty Council or Cabinet may challenge the same before:
(a) The Constitutional Court, if the challenge is directed at any infringement of the constitutional order or constitutional freedoms, protections or rights.
... (Art. 20) - Arabic1. يجوز لكل متضرر من أعمال مجلس السيادة او مجلس الوزراء أن يطعن فيها امام:
ا. المحكمة الدستوريه إذا كان الطعن متعلقا بأي تجاوز للنظام الدستوري او الحريات او الحرمات او الحقوق الدستورية
(الماده 21)
Jurisdiction and Access
Cyprus
- English1. A party to any judicial proceedings, including proceedings on appeal, may, at any stage thereof, raise the question of the unconstitutionality of any law or decision or any provision thereof material for the determination of any matter at issue in such proceedings and thereupon the Court before which such question is raised shall reserve the question for the decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court and stay further proceedings until such question is determined by the Supreme Constitutional Court.
… (Art. 144) - Greek1. Πας διάδικος δικαιούται, καθ’ οιονδήποτε στάδιον της διαδικασίας συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της κατ’ έφεσιν, να εγείρη ζήτημα αντισυνταγματικότητος νόμου ή αποφάσεως η διατάξεώς τινος αυτών ουσιώδους δια την διάγνωσιν της εκκρεμούς ενώπιον του δικαστηρίου υποθέσεως. Tο δικαστήριο, ενώπιον του οποίου εγείρεται το ζήτημα, παραπέμπει παρευθύς τούτο ενώπιον του Aνωτάτου Συνταγματικού Δικαστηρίου και αναστέλλει την πρόοδον της διαδικασίας, μέχρις ου αποφανθή επ αυτού το Aνώτατον Συνταγματικόν Δικαστήριο.
… (Αρθρον 144) - Turkish1. Herhangi bir adli muameledeki bir taraf, temyiz muameleleri dâhil olmak üzere, bu muamelenin herhangi bir safhasında bu muameledeki uyuşmazlık konularından herhangi birinin karara bağlanmasında etkisi olan herhangi bir kanunun veya kararın ya da onun herhangi bir hükmünün Anayasaya aykırılığı meselesini ileri sürebilir ve bunun üzerine, önüne böyle bir mesele ileri sürülen mahkeme, bu meseleyi, karar vermesi için Yüksek Anayasa Mahkemesine sunar ve bu mesele hakkında Yüksek Anayasa Mahkemesince bir karar verilinceye kadar bu muameleyi durdurur.
... (Madde 144)
Jurisdiction and Access
Montenegro
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court shall decide on the following:
1) Conformity of laws with the Constitution and confirmed and published international agreements;
2) Conformity of other regulations and general acts with the Constitution and the law;
3) Constitutional appeal due to the violation of human rights and liberties granted by the Constitution, after all other efficient legal remedies have been exhausted;
4) Whether the President of Montenegro has violated the Constitution,
5) The conflict of responsibilities between courts and other state authorities, between state authorities and local self-government authorities, and between the authorities of the local self-government units;
6) Prohibition of work of a political party or a non-governmental organization;
7) Electoral disputes and disputes related to the referendum, which are not the responsibility of other courts;
8) Conformity with the Constitution of the measures and actions of state authorities taken during the state of war or the state of emergency;
9) Performs other tasks stipulated by the Constitution.
If the regulation ceased to be valid during the procedure for the assessment of constitutionality and legality, and the consequences of its enforcement have not been recovered, the Constitutional Court shall establish whether that regulation was in conformity with the Constitution, that is, with the law during its period of validity.
The Constitutional Court shall monitor the enforcement of constitutionality and legality and shall inform the Parliament about the noted cases of unconstitutionality and illegality. (Art. 149) - MontenegrinUstavni sud odlučuje:
1) o saglasnosti zakona sa Ustavom i potvrđenim i objavljenim međuna-rodnim ugovorima;
2) o saglasnosti drugih propisa i opštih akata sa Ustavom i zakonom;
3) o ustavnoj žalbi zbog povrede ljudskih prava i sloboda zajamčenih Ustavom, nakon iscrpljivanja svih djelotvornih pravnih sredstava;
4) da li je predsjednik Crne Gore povrijedio Ustav;
5) o sukobu nadležnosti između sudova i drugih državnih organa, između državnih organa i organa jedinica lokalne samouprave i između organa jedinica lokalne samouprave;
6) o zabrani rada političke partije ili nevladine organizacije;
7) o izbornim sporovima i sporovima u vezi sa referendumom koji nijesu u nadležnosti drugih sudova;
8) o saglasnosti sa Ustavom mjera i radnji državnih organa preduzetih za vrijeme ratnog i vanrednog stanja;
9) vrši i druge poslove utvrđene Ustavom.
Ako je u toku postupka za ocjenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti propis prestao da važi, a nijesu otklonjene posljedice njegove primjene, Ustavni sud utvrđuje da li je taj propis bio saglasan sa Ustavom, odnosno sa zakonom za vrijeme njegovog važenja.
Ustavni sud prati ostvarivanje ustavnosti i zakonitosti i o uočenim pojavama neustavnosti i nezakonitosti obavještava Skupštinu. (Član 149)
Jurisdiction and Access
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- EnglishIn case of a state of urgency or of state of siege, the President of the Republic takes, by ordinances deliberated in the Council of Ministers, the measures necessary to respond to the situation.
These ordinances are, on their signature, submitted to the Constitutional Court which, ceasing other matters, declares if they derogate or not from this Constitution. (Art. 145) - FrenchEn cas d’état d’urgence ou d’état de siège, le Président de la République prend, par ordonnances délibérées en Conseil des ministres, les mesures nécessaires pour faire face à la situation.
Ces ordonnances sont, dès leur signature, soumises à la Cour constitutionnelle qui, toutes affaires cessantes, déclare si elles dérogent ou non à la présente Constitution. (Art. 145)
Jurisdiction and Access
Antigua and Barbuda
- English1. Subject to the provisions of sections 25(2), 47(8)(b), 56(4), 65(5), 123(7)(b) and 124 of this Constitution, any person who alleges that any provision of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter II3) has been or is being contravened may, if he has a relevant interest, apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.
2. The High Court shall have jurisdiction on an application made under this section to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter II) has been or is being contravened and to make a declaration accordingly.
3. Where the High Court makes a declaration under this section that a provision of this Constitution has been or is being contravened and the person on whose application the declaration is made has also applied for relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy as it considers appropriate, being a remedy available generally under any law in proceedings in the High Court.
4. The Chief Justice may make provision, or authorise the making of provision, with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred on the court by or under this section, including provision with respect to the time within which any application under this section may be made.
5. A person shall be regarded as having a relevant interest for the purpose of an application under this section only if the contravention of this Constitution alleged by him is such as to affect his interests.
6. The rights conferred on a person by this section to apply for a declaration and relief in respect of an alleged contravention of this Constitution shall be in addition to any other action in respect of the same matter that may be available to that person under any other law or any rule of law.
7. Nothing in this section shall confer jurisdiction on the High Court to hear or determine any such question as is referred to in section 44 of this Constitution. (Sec. 119)
Jurisdiction and Access
Portugal
- English1. The Constitutional Court has the competence to consider unconstitutionality and illegality, in accordance with Articles 277 et sequitur.
2. The Constitutional Court also has the competences:
a) To verify the death and declare the permanent physical incapacity of the President of the Republic, and to verify cases in which he is temporarily prevented from exercising his functions;
b) To verify loss of the office of President of the Republic in the cases provided for in Article 129(3) and Article 130(3);
c) As the court of final instance, to judge the proper observance and validity of electoral procedural acts, as laid down by law;
d) For the purposes of Article 124(3), to verify the death, and to declare the incapacity to exercise the function of President of the Republic, of any candidate therefore;
e) To verify the legality of the formation of political parties and coalitions thereof, to assess the legality of their names, initials and symbols, and to order their abolition, in accordance with the Constitution and the law;
f) To verify in advance the constitutionality and legality of national, regional and local referenda, including consideration of the requisites in relation to the respective universe of electors;
g) At the request of Members, as laid down by law, to judge appeals concerning losses of seat in, and elections conducted by, the Assembly of the Republic and the Legislative Assemblies of the autonomous regions;
h) To judge those actions involving challenges to elections to, and to decisions taken by, political party organs, which by law are subject to appeal.
3. The Constitutional Court also has the competence to exercise the other functions that are allocated to it by the Constitution and the law. (Art. 223) - Portuguese1. Compete ao Tribunal Constitucional apreciar a inconstitucionalidade e a ilegalidade, nos termos dos artigos 277.º e seguintes.
2. Compete também ao Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Verificar a morte e declarar a impossibilidade física permanente do Presidente da República, bem como verificar os impedimentos temporários do exercício das suas funções;
b) Verificar a perda do cargo de Presidente da República, nos casos previstos no n.º 3 do artigo 129.º e no n.º 3 do artigo 130.º;
c) Julgar em última instância a regularidade e a validade dos actos de processo eleitoral, nos termos da lei;
d) Verificar a morte e declarar a incapacidade para o exercício da função presidencial de qualquer candidato a Presidente da República, para efeitos do disposto no n.º 3 do artigo 124.º;
e) Verificar a legalidade da constituição de partidos políticos e suas coligações, bem como apreciar a legalidade das suas denominações, siglas e símbolos, e ordenar a respectiva extinção, nos termos da Constituição e da lei;
f) Verificar previamente a constitucionalidade e a legalidade dos referendos nacionais, regionais e locais, incluindo a apreciação dos requisitos relativos ao respectivo universo eleitoral; Julgar a requerimento dos Deputados, nos termos da lei, os recursos relativos à perda do mandato e às eleições realizadas na Assembleia da República e nas Assembleias Legislativas das regiões autónomas;
h) Julgar as acções de impugnação de eleições e deliberações de órgãos de partidos políticos que, nos termos da lei, sejam recorríveis.
3. Compete ainda ao Tribunal Constitucional exercer as demais funções que lhe sejam atribuídas pela Constituição e pela lei. (Art. 223)