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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
Colombia
- EnglishThe safeguarding of the integrity and supremacy of the Constitution is entrusted to the Constitutional Court in the strict and precise terms of this article. For such a purpose, it shall fulfill the following functions:
1. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against measures amending the Constitution, no matter what their origin, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
2. Decide, prior to a popular expression of opinion, on the constitutionality of the call for a referendum or a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
3. Decide on the constitutionality of referendums about laws and popular consultations and plebiscites of a national scope, in case of these last ones exclusively for errors of procedure in their convocation and implementation.
4. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against statutes, both for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
5. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against decrees with the force of law issued by the government on the basis of Article 150, numeral 10, and Article 341 of the Constitution for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
6. Decide on the exceptions provided for in Article 137 of the Constitution.
7. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the legislative decrees issued by the government on the basis of Articles 212, 213, and 215 of the Constitution.
8. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the bills opposed by the government as unconstitutional and of proposed statutory bills, both on account of their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
9. Revise, in the form determined by statute, the judicial decisions connected with the protection of constitutional rights.
10. To decide definitively on the constitutionality [exquibilidad/executability] of the international treaties and on the laws that approve them. To this end, the Government will submit them to the Court, within the six days subsequent to the sanction of the law. Any citizen can intervene to defend or challenge their constitutionality [constitucionalidad]. If the Court declares them constitutional, the Government may effect the exchange of notes; in the contrary case they will not be ratified. When one or several norms of a multilateral treaty are declared unconstitutional [inexquibilidad/unexecutable] by the Constitutional Court, the President of the Republic may only declare consent formulated [with] the corresponding reservation.
11. To settle [Dirimir] the conflicts of competence that occur between the distinct jurisdictions.
… (Art. 241) - SpanishA la Corte Constitucional se le confía la guarda de la integridad y supremacía de la Constitución, en los estrictos y precisos términos de este artículo. Con tal fin, cumplirá las siguientes funciones:
1. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que promuevan los ciudadanos contra los actos reformatorios de la Constitución, cualquiera que sea su origen, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
2. Decidir, con anterioridad al pronunciamiento popular, sobre la constitucionalidad de la convocatoria a un referendo o a una Asamblea Constituyente para reformar la Constitución, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
3. Decidir sobre la constitucionalidad de los referendos sobre leyes y de las consultas populares y plebiscitos del orden nacional. Estos últimos sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su convocatoria y realización.
4. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra las leyes, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
5. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra los decretos con fuerza de ley dictados por el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 150 numeral 10 y 341 de la Constitución, por su contenido material o por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
6. Decidir sobre las excusas de que trata el artículo 137 de la Constitución.
7. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los decretos legislativos que dicte el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 212, 213 y 215 de la Constitución.
8. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los proyectos de ley que hayan sido objetados por el Gobierno como inconstitucionales, y de los proyectos de leyes estatutarias, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
9. Revisar, en la forma que determine la ley, las decisiones judiciales relacionadas con la acción de tutela de los derechos constitucionales.
10. Decidir definitivamente sobre la exequibilidad de los tratados internacionales y de las leyes que los aprueben. Con tal fin, el Gobierno los remitirá a la Corte, dentro de los seis días siguientes a la sanción de la ley. Cualquier ciudadano podrá intervenir para defender o impugnar su constitucionalidad. Si la Corte los declara constitucionales, el Gobierno podrá efectuar el canje de notas; en caso contrario no serán ratificados. Cuando una o varias normas de un tratado multilateral sean declaradas inexequibles por la Corte Constitucional, el Presidente de la República sólo podrá manifestar el consentimiento formulando la correspondiente reserva.
11. Dirimir los conflictos de competencia que ocurran entre las distintas jurisdicciones.
… (Art. 241)
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
Chad
- EnglishThe Supreme Court is the highest jurisdiction of Chad in judicial, administrative, [and] constitutional matters and [matters] of accounts.
It takes cognizance of disputes [concerning] the presidential, legislative and local elections. It sees to the regularity of the operations of referendum and proclaims the results of them.
It decides on the pleadings [exception] of unconstitutionality raised by any citizen before a jurisdiction in a matter [affaire] which concerns him.
... (Art. 157) - Arabicالمحكمة العليا هي أعلى سلطة قضائية وتنظر في مسائل التشاد القضائية، الإدارية، والدستورية ومسائل الحسابات.
تتمتع بصلاحية النظر في الخلافات المتعلقة بالانتخابات الرئاسية والتشريعية والمحلية. وتحرص على انتظام عمليات الاستفتاء وتعلن نتائجها.
تقرر في مذكرات عدم الدستورية التي يقدمها أي مواطن أمام سلطة قضائية في مسألة تخصه.
... (المادة 157) - FrenchLa Cour Suprême est la plus haute juridiction du Tchad en matière judiciaire, administrative, constitutionnelle et des comptes.
Elle connait du contentieux des élections présidentielles, législatives et locales. Elle veille à la régularité des opérations de référendum et en proclame les résultats.
Elle statue sur l'exception d'inconstitutionnalité soulevée par tout citoyen devant une juridiction dans une affaire qui le concerne.
... (Art. 157)
Jurisdiction and Access
Equatorial Guinea
- English1. The legitimate organs to interpose recourses of unconstitutionality are:
a) The President of the Republic-Head of State.
b) The Vice President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
c) The Chamber of the Deputies and the Senate with a qualified majority of the three-fourths part of their members.
d) The Attorney General of the Republic.
2. Any natural person or [person] having cause, that invokes a legitimate interest[,] can interpose [the] recourse of amparo. (Art. 102) - Spanish1. Los órganos legítimos para interponer recursos de inconstitucionalidad son:
a) El Presidente de la República-Jefe de Estado.
b) El Vice-Presidente de la República y el Primer Ministro.
c) La Cámara de los Diputados y el Senado en una mayoría cualificada de las tres cuartas partes de sus miembros.
d) El Fiscal General de la República.
2. Puede interponer recurso de amparo, toda persona natural o causa-habiente que invoque un interés legítimo. (Art. 102) - French1. Les organes ayant légitimement le droit d'introduire des demandes d'inconstitutionnalité sont :
a) Le Président de la République-Chef de l'État.
b) Le Vice-président de la République et le Premier ministre.
c) La Chambre des députés et le Sénat, avec une majorité qualifiée des trois-quarts de leurs membres.
d) Le Procureur général de la République.
2. Toute personne physique ou personne fondée à invoquer un intérêt légitime a le droit d'introduire une demande de protection. (Art. 102)
Jurisdiction and Access
Ecuador
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the supreme body for controlling, constitutionally interpreting and administering justice in this matter. It exercises national jurisdiction and its seat is in the city of Quito.
The decisions related to the attributions provided for in the Constitution shall be adopted by the plenary of the Court. (Art. 429) - SpanishLa Corte Constitucional es el máximo órgano de control, interpretación constitucional y de administración de justicia en esta materia. Ejerce jurisdicción nacional y su sede es la ciudad de Quito.
Las decisiones relacionadas con las atribuciones previstas en la Constitución serán adoptadas por el pleno de la Corte. (Art. 429)
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
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is charged with the control of the constitutionality of the laws and of the acts having the force of law.
The organic laws, before their promulgation, and the Internal Regulations of the parliamentary Chambers and of the Congress, of the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as of the Superior Council for Audiovisual and Communication, before their entry into application, must be submitted to the Constitutional Court which rules on their conformity with the Constitution.
For the same end of examining [the] constitutionality, the laws may be referred to the Constitutional Court, before their promulgation, by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate or a tenth of the Deputies or of the Senators.
… (Art. 160) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est chargée du contrôle de la constitutionnalité des lois et des actes ayant force de loi.
Les lois organiques, avant leur promulgation, et les Règlements intérieurs des Chambres parlementaires et du Congrès, de la Commission électorale nationale indépendante ainsi que du Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, avant leur mise en application, doivent être soumis à la Cour constitutionnelle qui se prononce sur leur conformité à la Constitution.
Aux mêmes fins d’examen de la constitutionnalité, les lois peuvent être déférées à la Cour constitutionnelle, avant leur promulgation, par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat ou le dixième des députés ou des sénateurs.
… (Art. 160)
Jurisdiction and Access
Guinea
- EnglishWithin the eight clear [francs] days that follow the adoption of a law, the President of the Republic, at least one-tenth of the Deputies or the Independent National Institution for Human Rights, may refer the Constitutional Court to [the matter] of a recourse looking to [visant] have it control the conformity of the law with the Constitution.
… (Art. 80) - FrenchDans les huit jours francs qui suivent l'adoption d'une loi, le président de la République, un dixième au moins des députés ou l'Institution Nationale Indépendante des Droits Humains, peuvent saisir la Cour constitutionnelle d'un recours visant à faire contrôler la conformité de la loi à la Constitution.
… (Art. 80)
Jurisdiction and Access
Guatemala
- EnglishThe Court of Constitutionality has the following functions:
a. To take cognizance in sole [unique] instance of the challenges interposed against the laws or provisions of general character, objected to for partial or total unconstitutionality;
b. To take cognizance in sole instance in its status of Extraordinary Tribunal of [the recourse of] amparo, of actions of amparo interposed against the Congress of the Republic, the Supreme Court of Justice, [or] the President or [the] Vice-President of the Republic;
c. To take cognizance on appeal of all [recourses of] amparo interposed before any of the tribunals of justice. If the appeal should be against a resolution of amparo of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Court of Constitutionality shall be expanded by two members [vocales] in the form specified in Article 268;
d. To take cognizance on appeal of all the challenges against the laws objected to for unconstitutionality in specific cases, in any trial, in cassation, or in the cases contemplated by the law in the matter;
e. To issue an opinion regarding the constitutionality of treaties, agreements, and bills of law at the request of any of the organs of the State;
f. To take cognizance and resolve [the] issues concerning to any conflict of jurisdiction in matters of constitutionality;
g. To compile the doctrine and constitutional principles that have been invoked with the purpose of resolving them through [the recourse of] amparo and [through the recourse] of unconstitutionality of the laws, [and] maintain the jurisprudential bulletin or gazette;
h. To issue an opinion on the unconstitutionality of the laws vetoed by the Executive alleging unconstitutionality; and
i. To act, to render opinions [opinar], to dictate, or to take cognizance of those matters under its competence established in the Constitution of the Republic. (Art. 272) - SpanishLa Corte de Constitucionalidad tiene las siguientes funciones:
a) Conocer en única instancia de las impugnaciones interpuestas contra leyes o disposiciones de carácter general, objetadas parcial o totalmente de inconstitucionalidad;
b) Conocer en única instancia en calidad de Tribunal Extraordinario de Amparo en las acciones de amparo interpuestas en contra del Congreso de la República, la Corte Suprema de Justicia, el Presidente y el Vicepresidente de la República;
c) Conocer en apelación de todos los amparos interpuestos ante cualquiera de los tribunales de justicia. Si la apelación fuere en contra de una resolución de amparo de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, la Corte de Constitucionalidad se ampliará con dos vocales en la forma prevista en el artículo 268;
d) Conocer en apelación de todas las impugnaciones en contra de las leyes objetadas de inconstitucionalidad en casos concretos, en cualquier juicio, en casación, o en los casos contemplados por la ley de la materia;
e) Emitir opinión sobre la constitucionalidad de los tratados, convenios y proyectos de ley, a solicitud de cualquiera de los organismos del Estado;
f) Conocer y resolver lo relativo a cualquier conflicto de jurisdicción en materia de constitucionalidad;
g) Compilar la doctrina y principios constitucionales que se vayan sentando con motivo de las resoluciones de amparo y de inconstitucionalidad de las leyes, manteniendo al día el boletín o gaceta jurisprudencial;
h) Emitir opinión sobre la inconstitucionalidad de las leyes vetadas por el Ejecutivo alegando inconstitucionalidad; e
i) Actuar, opinar, dictaminar o conocer de aquellos asuntos de su competencia establecidos en la Constitución de la República. (Art. 272)
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)