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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.
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) The High Court has jurisdiction —
(a) in relation to Part II (Bill of Rights) of this Constitution - as provided by Division 5 (Enforcement of the Bill of Rights) of that Part; and
(b) in relation to questions as to membership of Parliament - as provided by section 102 (questions as to membership of Parliament); and
(c) in relation to other questions as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution - as provided by section 134 (constitutional interpretation);
(d) in relation to appeals generally - as provided by section 135 (appellate jurisdiction of the High Court); and
(e) in other matters - as provided for by sections 14(3) (which relates to the effect of Parliamentary declarations of purpose) and 136 (other jurisdiction, etc., of the High Court), and otherwise in this Constitution.
… (Sec. 133)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen a judge, by virtue of his/her office or at the request of a party, considers that a legal norm is contrary to the Constitution or to international human rights instruments that provide for rights that are more favorable than those enshrined in the Constitution, it shall suspend the case and refer it for consultation to the Constitutional Court, which within no more than forty-five (45) days shall rule on the constitutionality of the norm.
If the Court issues no ruling within the established time-limits, the affected party is entitled to file the corresponding complaint. (Art. 428) - SpanishCuando una jueza o juez, de oficio o a petición de parte, considere que una norma jurídica es contraria a la Constitución o a los instrumentos internacionales de derechos humanos que establezcan derechos más favorables que los reconocidos en la Constitución, suspenderá la tramitación de la causa y remitirá en consulta el expediente a la Corte Constitucional, que en un plazo no mayor a cuarenta y cinco días, resolverá sobre la constitucionalidad de la norma.
Si transcurrido el plazo previsto la Corte no se pronuncia, el perjudicado podrá interponer la acción correspondiente. (Art. 428)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) The Constitutional Court pronounces judgment on the unconstitutionality
1. of laws
a) on application of a court;
b) ex officio in so far as he will have to apply such a law in a suit pending before him;
c) on application by a person who alleges to have infringement of his rights directly by unconstitutionality, if the ordinance has become effective without a judicial decision having been rendered or a ruling having been rendered has become effective for this person;
d) on application by a person who, as a party in a legal matter that has been decided by a court of justice of first instance, alleges infringement of his rights because of the application of an unconstitutional law, on the occasion of an appeal filed against that decision;
(2) of federal laws also on application by a Provincial Government, a third of the members of the National Council or a third of the members of the Federal Council.
(3) of provincial legislation also at the request of the Federal Government or, if the constitutional law of a province so provides, at the request of a third of the members of the Provincial Parliament.
… (Art. 140) - German
(1) Der Verfassungsgerichtshof erkennt über Verfassungswidrigkeit
1. von Gesetzen
a) auf Antrag eines Gerichtes;
b) von Amts wegen, wenn er das Gesetz in einer bei ihm anhängigen Rechtssache anzuwenden hätte;
c) auf Antrag einer Person, die unmittelbar durch diese Verfassungswidrigkeit in ihren Rechten verletzt zu sein behauptet, wenn das Gesetz ohne Fällung einer gerichtlichen Entscheidung oder ohne Erlassung eines Bescheides für diese Person wirksam geworden ist;
d) auf Antrag einer Person, die als Partei einer von einem ordentlichen Gericht in erster Instanz entschiedenen Rechtssache wegen Anwendung eines verfassungswidrigen Gesetzes in ihren Rechten verletzt zu sein behauptet, aus Anlass eines gegen diese Entscheidung erhobenen Rechtsmittels;
2. von Bundesgesetzen auch auf Antrag einer Landesregierung, eines Drittels der Mitglieder des Nationalrates oder eines Drittels der Mitglieder des Bundesrates;
3. von Landesgesetzen auch auf Antrag der Bundesregierung oder, wenn dies landesverfassungsgesetzlich vorgesehen ist, auf Antrag eines Drittels der Mitglieder des Landtages.
… (Art. 140)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
Any pleader [plaideur] may raise the exception of unconstitutionality of a law before any jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction referred to [the matter] postpones deciding and remits the exception before the Constitutional Court. In this case, the Constitutional Court decides in the fifteen days of its referral.
The Constitutional Court is the judge of the violations of the fundamental rights and public freedoms committed by the public powers, the agents of the State and the citizens. It can be referred to [the matter] by the National Institution of Human Rights.
… (Art. 96) - French…
Tout plaideur peut soulever l'exception d'inconstitutionnalité d'une loi devant toute juridiction.
La juridiction saisie sursoie à statuer et renvoie l'exception devant la Cour constitutionnelle. Dans ce cas, la Cour Constitutionnelle statue dans les quinze jours de sa saisine.
La Cour constitutionnelle est juge des violations des droits fondamentaux et des libertés publiques commises par les pouvoirs publics, les agents de l'État et les citoyens. Elle peut être saisie par l'Institution nationale des droits humains.
… (Art. 96)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
…
- the organic laws may only be promulgated after declaration by the Constitutional Court of their conformity with the Constitution. (Art. 97) - French
…
- les lois organiques ne peuvent être promulguées qu'après déclaration par la Cour constitutionnelle de leur conformité à la Constitution. (Art. 97)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Council sees to and decides when it is referred to a matter:
• on the constitutionality of the laws before their promulgation;
• on the constitutionality of the internal regulations of the Senate and of the Chamber of Deputies before their implementation
• on the orders
For the same purposes, the laws in general may be referred to the Constitutional Council, before their promulgation, by the President of the Republic, the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, a group of fifteen (15) Deputes or of (10) Senators.
The law determines the modalities of organization and of functioning of the Constitutional Council as well as the other entities enabled to refer a matter to it. (Art. 190ter-5) - FrenchLe Conseil Constitutionnel veille et statue lorsqu'il est saisi:
a. sur la constitutionnalité des lois organiques avant leur promulgation;
b. sur la constitutionnalité des règlements intérieurs du Sénat et de la Chambre des Députés avant leur mise en application.
c. sur les arrêtés.
Aux mêmes fins, les lois en général peuvent être déférées au Conseil constitutionnel, avant leur promulgation, par le Président de la République, le Président du Sénat, le Président de la Chambre des Députés, un groupe de quinze (15) députés ou de dix Sénateurs.
La loi détermine les autres entités habilitées à saisir le Conseil Constitutionnel. (Article 190ter.5)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Chancellor of Justice is a government official who scrutinises legislative instruments of the legislative and executive branch of government and of local authorities for conformity with the Constitution and the laws, and who is independent in discharging his or her duties.
… (Sec. 139) - EstonianÕiguskantsler on oma tegevuses sõltumatu ametiisik, kes teostab järelevalvet seadusandliku ja täidesaatva riigivõimu ning kohaliku omavalitsuse õigustloovate aktide põhiseadusele ja seadustele vastavuse üle.
… (§ 139)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English...
2. The High Court shall have original jurisdiction to review any law, and any action or decision of the Government, for conformity with this Constitution, save as otherwise provided by this Constitution and shall have such other jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred on it by this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 108)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is referred to [a matter] by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, by one-quarter of the members of the National Assembly or one-quarter of the members of the Senate, or by the Ombudsman.
Every natural or juridical person [personne physique ou morale] interested as well as the Public Ministry may refer the Constitutional Court [to a matter] concerning the constitutionality of the laws, either directly by way of [an] action or indirectly by the procedure of pleadings [exception] of unconstitutionality invoked in a matter submitted to another jurisdiction.
… (Art. 236) - KirundiUmukuru w’Igihugu, Umukuru w’Inama Nshingamateka, Umukuru w’Inama Nkenguzamateka, ica kane c’abashingamateka, ica kane c’abakenguzamateka canke Umuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Reta bafise ububasha bwo kwitura Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro.
Umuntu uwo ari we wese abifisemwo inyungu, ishirahamwe iryo ari ryo ryose ribifisemwo inyungu canke abashikirizamanza barashobora kwitura Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro bakadoma urutoke ku mabwirizwa n’amategeko yoba yashinzwe biciye kubiri n’Ibwirizwa Shingiro. Bashobora kubigira mu kwishikirira bo nyene Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro canke mu kubimenyesha abandi bacamanza mu gihe babonye ko urubanza bariko barabacira rushingiye ku ngingo y’Ibwirizwa canke y’Itegeko iciye kubiri n’Ibwirizwa Shingiro.
… (Ingingo ya 236) - FrenchLa Cour Constitutionnelle est saisie par le Président de la République, le Président de l’Assemblée Nationale, le Président du Sénat, par un quart des membres de l’Assemblée Nationale ou un quart des membres du Sénat, ou par l’ombudsman.
Toute personne physique ou morale intéressée ainsi que le Ministère Public peuvent saisir la Cour Constitutionnelle sur la constitutionnalité des lois, soit directement par voie d’action soit indirectement par la procédure d’exception d’inconstitutionnalité invoquée dans une affaire soumise à une autre juridiction.
… (Art. 236)
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)