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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
A Head of an Institution or one-quarter of the members composing one of the Parliamentary Assemblies or the organs of the Decentralized Territorial Collectivities or the High Council for the Defense of Democracy and of the State of Law may refer to the Constitutional Court, for control of constitutionality, any text with legislative or regulatory value as well as all matters falling into its competence.
If, before a jurisdiction, a party raises an exception of unconstitutionality, that jurisdiction postpones its decision and refers the matter to the High Constitutional Court which decides within the time period of one month.
In the same way, if before a jurisdiction, a party maintains that a provision of a legislative or regulatory text infringes their fundamental rights recognized by the Constitution, that jurisdiction postpones its decision within the same conditions as in the previous paragraph.
… (Art. 118) - French
Un Chef d’Institution ou le quart des membres composant l’une des Assemblées parlementaires ou les organes des Collectivités Territoriales Décentralisées ou le Haut Conseil pour la Défense de la Démocratie et de l’Etat de droit peuvent déférer à la Cour Constitutionnelle, pour contrôle de constitutionnalité, tout texte à valeur législative ou réglementaire ainsi que toutes matières relevant de sa compétence.
Si devant une juridiction, une partie soulève une exception d’inconstitutionnalité, cette juridiction sursoit à statuer et saisit la Haute Cour Constitutionnelle qui statue dans le délai d’un mois.
De même, si devant juridiction, une partie soutient qu’une disposition de texte législatif ou réglementaire porte atteinte à ses droits fondamentaux reconnus par la Constitution, cette juridiction sursoit à statuer dans les mêmes conditions qu’à l’alinéa précédent.
... (Art. 118)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court is competent to take cognizance of a pleading [exception] of unconstitutionality raised in the course of a process, when it is maintained by one of the parties that the law on which the issue of the litigation depends, infringes the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
An organic law establishes the conditions and modalities of application of this Article. (Art. 133) - Arabic
تختص المحكمة الدستورية بالنظر في كل دفع متعلق بعدم دستورية قانون، أثير أثناء النظر في قضية، وذلك إذا دفع أحد الأطراف بأن القانون، الذي سيطبق في النزاع، يمس بالحقوق وبالحريات التي يضمنها الدستور.
يحدد قانون تنظيمي شروط وإجراءات تطبيق هذا الفصل. (الفصل 133)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals from the Court of Appeal.
(2) An appeal shall lie from the decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court as of right in the following cases–
…
(b) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution;
(c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV4 of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
… (Sec. 233)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The President of the Republic, one fifth of the Members in full exercise of their office and the Attorney-General may request the Constitutional Court to rule on unconstitutionality by omission.
… (Art. 232) - Portuguese1. Podem requerer ao Tribunal Constitucional a declaração de inconstitucionalidade por omissão o Presidente da República, um quinto dos Deputados em efectividade de funções e o Procurador-Geral da República.
… (Art. 232)
Jurisdiction and Access
- 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
- English…
4. The proposals for a referendum shall be subject to preventive review with respect to their constitutionality and legality.
… (Art. 103) - Portuguese…
4. As propostas de referendo estão sujeitas à fiscalização preventive da constitucionalidade e da legalidade.
… (Art. 103)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the jurisdiction given the charge of seeing to respect for the provisions of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court judges the regularity of the referendum consultations, [and] of the presidential, legislative and senatorial elections. It decides on the challenges to these consultations and elections.
It is the judge of the constitutionality of the laws.
The laws may, before their promulgation, be deferred to the Constitutional Court by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the President of High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications [Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication], the President of the Economic and Social Council, the President of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, the President of the Superior Council of the Magistrature, the Mediator of the Republic, the presidents of the parliamentary groups or one-fifth (1/5) of the members of the National Assembly or of the Senate.
To the same ends, the organic laws, before their promulgation, the internal regulations of the National Assembly and of the Senate, those of the High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications, [those] of the Economic and Social Council [those] of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, [and those] of the Superior Council of the Magistrature must be submitted to it before their application.
The Constitutional Court may be referred to [the matter] of a demand for [its] opinion on the meaning of the constitutional provisions by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the President of High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the President of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, the President of the Superior Council of the Magistrature, the Mediator of the Republic and the presidents of the parliamentary groups.
An organic law determines the other authorities and juridical [morale] persons who can refer the Constitutional Court [to matters], in matters of protection of fundamental rights.
In the course of a judicial instance, any physical or juridical person may, in limine litis, before the courts and tribunals, raise the pleadings [exception] of the unconstitutionality of a law. In this case, the jurisdiction suspends its decision and refers [the matter] to the constitutional court. … (Art. 104) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est la juridiction chargée de veiller au respect des dispositions de la Constitution.
La Cour constitutionnelle juge de la régularité des consultations référendaires, des élections présidentielles, législatives et sénatoriales. Elle statue sur le contentieux de ces consultations et élections.
Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité des lois.
Les lois peuvent, avant leur promulgation, lui être déférées par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Président de la Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication, le Président du Conseil économique et social, le Président de la Commission nationale des droits de l’Homme, le Président du Conseil Supérieur de la magistrature, le Médiateur de la République, les présidents des groupes parlementaires ou un cinquième (1/5eme) des membres de l’Assemblée nationale ou du Sénat.
Aux mêmes fins, les lois organiques, avant leur promulgation, les règlements intérieurs de l’Assemblée nationale et du Sénat, ceux de la Haute Autorité de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, du Conseil économique et social, de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme et du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, avant leur application, doivent lui être soumis.
La Cour constitutionnelle peut être saisie d’une demande d’avis sur le sens des dispositions constitutionnelles par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Président de la Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication, le Président du Conseil économique et social, le Président de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme, le Président du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, le Médiateur de la République et les présidents des groupes parlementaires.
Une loi organique détermine les autres autorités et les personnes morales qui peuvent saisir la Cour constitutionnelle, en matière de protection des droits fondamentaux.
Au cours d’une instance judiciaire, toute personne physique ou morale peut, in limine litis, devant les cours et tribunaux, soulever l’exception d’inconstitutionnalité d’une loi. Dans ce cas, la juridiction sursoit à statuer et saisit la Cour constitutionnelle. ... (Art. 104)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe laws to which the Constitution confers the character of organic laws are voted and modified within the following conditions.
…
– They are promulgated after [the] declaration of the Supreme Court of their conformity to the Constitution. (Art. 87) - Arabicيتم التصويت على القوانين التي يمنحها الدستور طابع القوانين الأساسية وتعديلها وفق الشروط التالية.
...
- تُسن بعد إعلان المحكمة العليا عن امتثالها للدستور. (المادة 87) - FrenchLes lois auxquelles la Constitution confère le caractère de lois organiques sont votées et modifiées dans les conditions suivantes.
…
- Elles sont promulguées après déclaration par la Cour Suprême de leur conformité à la Constitution. (Art. 87)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court takes cognizance of the recourses for interpretation of the Constitution on being referred to [the matter] by the President of the Republic, by the Government, by the President of the Senate, by the President of the National Assembly, by one-tenth of the members of each of the parliamentary Chambers, by the provincial Governors and by the Presidents of the Provincial Assemblies.
It resolves disputes concerning the presidential and legislative elections as well [concerning the] referendum.
It takes cognizance of the conflicts of competence between the Executive Power and the Legislative Power as well as between the State and the Provinces.
It takes cognizance of the recourses against the orders rendered by the Court of Cassation and the Council of State, only insofar as it decides on the attribution of the litigation to the jurisdiction of the judicial order or [to the] administrative [order]. This recourse is only receivable if a denial of jurisdiction has been raised by or before the Court of Cassation or the Council of State.
The modalities and the effects of the recourses referred to in the preceding paragraphs are determined by the law. (Art. 161) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle connaît des recours en interprétation de la Constitution sur saisine du Président de la République, du Gouvernement, du Président du Sénat, du Président de l’Assemblée nationale, d’un dixième des membres de chacune des Chambres parlementaires, des Gouverneurs de province et des présidents des Assemblées provinciales.
Elle juge du contentieux des élections présidentielles et législatives ainsi que du référendum.
Elle connaît des conflits de compétences entre le Pouvoir exécutif et le Pouvoir législatif ainsi qu’entre l’Etat et les provinces.
Elle connaît des recours contre les arrêts rendus par la Cour de cassation et le Conseil d’Etat, uniquement en tant qu’ils se prononcent sur l’attribution du litige aux juridictions de l’ordre judiciaire ou administratif. Ce recours n’est recevable que si un déclinatoire de juridiction a été soulevé par ou devant la Cour de cassation ou le Conseil d’Etat.
Les modalités et les effets des recours visés aux alinéas précédents sont déterminés par la loi. (Art. 161)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court decides obligatorily on:
– the treaties and international agreements before their entry into force, concerning their conformity with the Constitution, after the adoption by the Parliament of the law of authorization;
– the constitutionality of the organic laws and of the laws before their promulgation, of the ordinances as well as the regulatory acts [that] supposedly infringe the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms, after their publication;
– the regulations of the National Assembly and of the Senate, the regulations of procedure of the Constitutional Court and the regulations of the Economic, Social and environmental Council, before their implementation, concerning their conformity with the Constitution;
– the regulations of the independent administrative authorities determined by the law, before their implementation, concerning their conformity with the Constitution;
– the conflicts of attribution between the institutions of the State;
– the regularity of the presidential [and] parliamentary elections, and of the operations of the referendum of which it proclaims the results.
The Constitutional Court is referred to [the matter] in case of dispute concerning the validity of an election, by any elector, any candidate, any political party or delegate of the Government under the conditions provided for by the organic law on the Constitutional Court. (Art. 84) - French
La Cour Constitutionnelle statue obligatoirement sur :
-les traités et accords internationaux avant leur entrée en vigueur, quant à leur conformité à la Constitution, après adoption par le Parlement de la loi d'autorisation ;
-la constitutionnalité des lois organiques et des lois avant leur promulgation, des ordonnances ainsi que des actes réglementaires censés porter atteinte aux droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et aux libertés publiques, après leur publication ;
-les règlements de l'Assemblée Nationale et du Sénat, le règlement de procédure de la Cour Constitutionnelle et le règlement du Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental, avant leur mise en application, quant à leur conformité à la Constitution ;
-les règlements des autorités administratives indépendantes déterminées par la loi, avant leur mise en application, quant à leur conformité à la Constitution ;
-les conflits d'attribution entre les institutions de l'Etat ;
-la régularité des élections présidentielles, parlementaires et des opérations de référendum dont elle proclame les résultats.
La Cour Constitutionnelle est saisie, en cas de contestation sur la validité d'une élection, par tout électeur, tout candidat, tout parti politique ou délégué du Gouvernement dans les conditions prévues par la loi organique sur la Cour Constitutionnelle. (Art. 84)