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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.
Composition and Appointment
- EnglishThe members of the Constitutional Court shall be designated by a qualification commission comprised of two persons appointed by each one of the following branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and transparency and social monitoring. Members shall be elected from among the candidates submitted by the above-mentioned branches of government, through a public examination process, with citizen oversight and option for challenging the process. In the membership of the Court, efforts shall be made to ensure parity between men and women.
… (Art. 434) - SpanishLos miembros de la Corte Constitucional se designarán por una comisión calificadora que estará integrada por dos personas nombradas por cada una de las funciones, Legislativa, Ejecutiva y de Transparencia y Control Social. La selección de los miembros se realizará de entre las candidaturas presentadas por las funciones anteriores, a través de un proceso de concurso público, con veeduría y posibilidad de impugnación ciudadana. En la integración de la Corte se procurará la paridad entre hombres y mujeres.
… (Art. 434)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen a Bill of law is returned because the President of the Republic considers it to be unconstitutional and the Legislative Organ ratifies it in the manner established in the preceding Article, the President of the Republic must present it to the Supreme Court of Justice within three business days, so that after hearing the arguments of both [sides], it will decide whether it is or it is not constitutional, within fifteen business days at the latest. … (Art. 138)
- SpanishCuando la devolucion de un proyecto de ley se deba a que el president de la republica lo considera inconstitucional y el organo legislativo lo ratifica en la forma establecida en el articulo que antecede, debera el presidente de la republica dirigirse a la corte suprema de justicia dentro del tercer dia habil, para que esta Oyendo las razones de ambos, decida si es o no constitucional, a mas tardar dentro de quince dias habiles. … (Art. 138)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Constitutional Court shall act on an initiative from not fewer than one-fifth of all Members of the National Assembly, the President, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Administrative Court or the Prosecutor General. A challenge to competence pursuant to para 1 item 3 of the preceding Article may further be filed by a municipal council.
(2) Should it find a discrepancy between law and the Constitution, the Supreme Court of Cassation or the Supreme Administrative Court shall suspend the proceedings on a case and shall refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.
(3) The Ombudsman may approach the Constitutional Court with a request for declaring as unconstitutional a law which infringes human rights and freedoms.
(4) The Supreme Judicial Council may approach the Constitutional Court with a petition to establish unconstitutionality of any law whereby any rights and freedoms of citizens are violated. (Art. 150) - Bulgarian(1) Конституционният съд действува по инициатива най-малко на една пета от народните представители, президента, Министерския съвет, Върховния касационен съд, Върховния административен съд и главния прокурор. Спорове за компетентност по т. 3 на ал. 1 от предходния член могат да се повдигат и от общинските съвети.
(2) Когато установят несъответствие между закона и Конституцията, Върховният касационен съд или Върховният административен съд спират производството по делото и внасят въпроса в Конституционния съд.
(3) Омбудсманът може да сезира Конституционния съд с искане за установяване на противоконституционност на закон, с който се нарушават права и свободи на гражданите.
(4) Висшият адвокатски съвет може да сезира Конституционния съд с искане за установяване на противоконституционност на закон, с който се нарушават права и свободи на гражданите. (Чл. 150)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The organic laws before their promulgation, the Internal Regulations of the National Assembly, of the High Authority for Broadcasting and of Communication and of the Economic and Social Council prior to their implementation, must be submitted to the Constitutional Court which decides on their conformity with the Constitution. (Art. 123)
- French
Les lois organiques avant leur promulgation, les Règlements intérieurs de l'Assemblée nationale, de la Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication et du Conseil économique et social avant leur mise en application, doivent être soumis à la Cour constitutionnelle qui se prononce sur leur conformité à la Constitution. (Art. 123)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. In addition to the right of appeal accorded by section 47 of this Constitution, an appeal shall lie as of right to the Court of Appeal from decisions of the High Court in the following cases, that is to say:
a. subject to section 69 of this Constitution, final decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation of this Constitution, including any such decision made on a reference to the High Court under section 128;
b. final decisions of the High Court in the determination of any question in respect of which a right of access to the High Court is guaranteed by section 17 of this Constitution and final decisions of the High Court under section 22 of this Constitution.
… (Sec. 129)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen on the occasion of a pending legal proceeding before a jurisdiction, an exception of unconstitutionality is raised, the Constitutional Council may be referred to the matter on remand from the Court of Cassation.
If the provision is declared unconstitutional, the Constitutional Council returns it to the Parliament which decides sovereignly on the case. The new provision is promulgated. (Art. 190ter-8) - FrenchLorsqu'à l'occasion d'une instance en cours devant une juridiction, il est soulevé une exception d'inconstitutionnalité, le Conseil Constitutionnel peut en être saisi sur renvoi de la Cour de Cassation.
Si la disposition est déclarée inconstitutionnelle, le Conseil Constitutionnel la renvoie au Parlement qui statue souverainement sur le cas. La nouvelle disposition est promulguée. (Art. 190ter.8)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishIf, during proceedings in progress before a court of law, it is claimed that a legislative provision infringes the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the matter may be referred by the Conseil d’État or by the Cour de Cassation to the Constitutional Council which shall rule within a determined period.
… (1958 Constitution, Art. 61-1) - FrenchLorsque, à l'occasion d'une instance en cours devant une juridiction, il est soutenu qu'une disposition législative porte atteinte aux droits et libertés que la Constitution garantit, le Conseil constitutionnel peut être saisi de cette question sur renvoi du Conseil d'État ou de la Cour de cassation qui se prononce dans un délai déterminé.
… (Constitution 1958, Art. 61-1)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Preventive review of the constitutionality may be requested from the Constitutional Court:
a) By the President of the Republic, in respect of any rule contained in an international treaty or agreement that is referred to it for ratification, as well as in respect of any provision of legislation it has been sent for promulgation as a law, legislative decree or decree-law;
b) By, at least, fifteen Deputies in full exercise of their functions or by the Prime Minister in respect of any rule contained in a legislation act sent to the President for promulgation as law subject to approval by a qualified majority.
… (Art. 278) - Portuguese1. A apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade pode ser requerida ao Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Pelo Presidente da República, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de tratado ou acordo internacional que lhe tenha sido submetido para ratificação, bem como relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo que lhe tenha sido enviado para promulgação como lei, decreto legislativo ou decreto-lei;
b) Por, pelo menos, quinze Deputados em efectividade de funções ou pelo Primeiro Ministro, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo enviado ao Presidente da República para promulgação como lei sujeita a aprovação por maioria qualificada.
… (Art. 278)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
The laws prior to the Constitution must be modified, if it applies, to render them in conformity with the constitutional rights and freedoms within a time period not exceeding three years counting from the date of promulgation of this Constitutional Law.
In case that the modifications provided for in the preceding paragraph are not adopted [apportées] in the prescribed times, any individual can refer [déférer] these laws to the Constitutional Council for examination of their constitutionality. The provisions declared unconstitutional may not be applied. (Art. 102) - Arabic...
يتوجّب تعديل القوانين السّابقة للدّستور، و عند الاقتضاء- من أجل مطابقتها مع الحقوق و الحريّات الدّستورية في أجل لا يتعدّى ثلاث سنوات(3) اعتبارا من تاريخ صدور هذا القانون الدستوري.
و في حالة عدم إجراء التّعديلات المقرّرة في الفقرة السّابقة في الآجال المحدّدة يجوز لأي شخص أن يطعن في عدم دستورية هذه القوانين أمام المجلس الدستوري. و لا يجوز تطبيق التّرتيبات المحكوم بعدم دستوريتها. (المادّة 102) - French...
Les lois antérieures à la Constitution doivent être modifiées, s’il y a lieu, pour les rendre conformes aux droits et libertés constitutionnels, dans un délai n’excédant pas trois (3) ans pour compter de la date de promulgation de la présente loi constitutionnelle.
Au cas où les modifications prévues à l'alinéa précédent ne sont pas apportées dans les délais prescrits, tout individu pourra déférer ces lois au Conseil constitutionnel pour examen de leur constitutionnalité. Les dispositions déclarées inconstitutionnelles ne peuvent être appliquées. (Art. 102)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishAmong the constitutional and legal functions of the Supreme Court of Justice shall be the following:
1. To guard the integrity of the Constitution. For this purpose, and after hearing the opinion of the Attorney General of the Nation or the Solicitor General of the Administration, the Court in plenary session shall try and rule on cases concerning the unconstitutionality of laws, decrees, decisions, resolutions and other acts that for reasons of substance or form are challenged before it, by any person.
When during the proceedings of a case, the public official entrusted with the administration of Justice considers, or it is observed by one of the parties, that the legal or regulatory provision applicable to the case is unconstitutional, he/she shall submit the question to the cognizance of the Court in plenary session, except when the provision has already been the subject of a decision, and shall order a continuance of the case, until the question of constitutionality is decided.
The parties only shall be able to formulate such observations one time during the process of a case;
… (Art. 206) - SpanishLa Corte Suprema de Justicia tendrá, entre sus atribuciones constitucionales y legales, las siguientes:
1. La guarda de la integridad de la Constitución para lo cual la Corte en pleno conocerá y decidirá, con audiencia del Procurador General de la Nación o del Procurador de la Administración, sobre la inconstitucionalidad de las Leyes, decretos, acuerdos, resoluciones y demás actos que por razones de fondo o de forma impugne ante ella cualquier persona.
Cuando en un proceso el funcionario público encargado de impartir justicia advirtiere o se lo advirtiere alguna de las partes que la disposición legal o reglamentaria aplicable al caso es inconstitucional, someterá la cuestión al conocimiento del pleno de la Corte, salvo que la disposición haya sido objeto de pronunciamiento por parte de ésta, y continuará el curso del negocio hasta colocarlo en estado de decidir.
Las partes sólo podrán formular tales advertencias una sola vez por instancia.
… (Art. 206)