Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, as amended to 2020
Judicial Protection
  • English
    1. Appropriate principles of interpretation of this Constitution shall be developed and employed by the courts to reflect the unique character and supreme status of this Constitution.
    2. In interpreting the provisions of this Constitution a court of law shall—
    a. promote the values which underlie an open and democratic society;
    b. take full account of the provisions of Chapter III and Chapter IV5; and
    c. where applicable, have regard to current norms of public international law and comparable foreign case law.
    3. Where a court of law declares an act of executive or a law to be invalid, that court may apply such interpretation of that act or law as is consistent with this Constitution.
    4. Any law that ousts or purports to oust the jurisdiction of the courts to entertain matters pertaining to this Constitution shall be invalid. (Sec. 11)
Judicial Protection
  • English
    1. The human rights and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter6 shall be respected and upheld by the executive, legislature, judiciary and all organs of the Government and its agencies and, where applicable to them, by all natural and legal persons in Malawi and shall be enforceable in the manner prescribed in this Chapter.
    2. Any person or group of persons, natural or legal, with sufficient interest in the promotion, protection and enforcement of rights under this Chapter shall be entitled to the assistance of the courts, the Ombudsman, the Human Rights Commission and other organs of the Government to ensure the promotion, protection and enforcement of those rights and the redress of any grievances in respect of those rights. (Sec. 15)
Judicial Protection
  • English

    3. Every person shall have the right to an effective remedy by a court of law or tribunal for acts violating the rights and freedoms granted to him or her by this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 41)
Judicial Protection
  • English
    ...
    2. Any person who claims that a right or freedom guaranteed by this Constitution has been infringed or threatened shall be entitled—
    a. to make application to a competent court to enforce or protect such a right or freedom;

    3. Where a court referred to in subsection (2)(a) finds that rights or freedoms conferred by this Constitution have been unlawfully denied or violated, it shall have the power to make any orders that are necessary and appropriate to secure the enjoyment of those rights and freedoms and where a court finds that a threat exists to such rights or freedoms, it shall have the power to make any orders necessary and appropriate to prevent those rights and freedoms from being unlawfully denied or violated.
    4. A court referred to in subsection (2)(a) shall have the power to award compensation to any person whose rights or freedoms have been unlawfully denied or violated where it considers it to be appropriate in the circumstances of a particular case.
    ... (Sec. 46)
Links to all sites last visited 8 November 2023
2
Chapter III on Fundamental Principles; Chapter IV on Human Rights.
3
Chapter IV on Human Rights.
4
Chapter IV on Human Rights.
5
Chapter III on Fundamental Principles; Chapter IV on Human Rights.
6
Chapter IV on Human Rights.
7
Chapter IV on Human Rights.
8
Chapter IV on Human Rights.
9
Chapter III on Fundamental Principles; Chapter IV on Human Rights.
10
Chapter IV on Human Rights.