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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
- English1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any person alleges that any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and that his interests are being or are likely to be affected by such contravention, then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person may apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.
2. The High Court shall have jurisdiction, in any application made by any person under the preceding subsection or in any other proceedings lawfully brought before the Court, to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and to make a declaration accordingly:...
3. Where the High Court makes a declaration under the preceding subsection that any provision of this Constitution has been contravened and the person by whom the application under subsection (1) of this section was made or, in the case of other proceedings before the Court, the party in those proceedings in respect of whom the declaration is made, seeks relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy, being a remedy available against any person in any proceedings in the High Court under any law in force in Kiribati, as the Court considers appropriate.
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5. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to make a declaration as to whether any Bill referred to it by the Beretitenti under section 66(5) of this Constitution, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.
6. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the High Court shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution:Provided that the following authorities only are entitled to make application to the High Court under this subsection—
a. the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet;
b. the Attorney-General; and
c. the Speaker. (Sec. 88)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The High Court has the jurisdiction in relation to the interpretation, application and enforcement of this Constitution conferred by —
(a) section 14 (Parliamentary declaration of purpose);
(b) Part II, Division 5 (Enforcement of the Bill of Rights); and
(c) section 134 (constitutional interpretation), and otherwise by law. (Sec. 5)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
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(2) At any time when the judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Court number 4 or more, any judge of the High Court may convene a bench of 3 judges to decide any case in the High Court's jurisdiction, if the convening judge has determined that the case involves either a substantial question of law as to the interpretation or effect of a provision of this Constitution or any other matter of public importance; and, if an insufficient number of judges of the High Court is available, then without prejudice to the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in relation to that case, the remaining members of the bench shall be judges of the Supreme Court. (Art. VI, Sec. 3)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) Subject to this Constitution, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction, to the exclusion of other courts, as to any question relating to the interpretation or application of any provision of a Constitutional Law.
(2) Subject to this Constitution, where any question relating to the interpretation or application of any provision of a Constitutional Law arises in any court or tribunal, other than the Supreme Court, the court or tribunal shall, unless the question is trivial, vexatious or irrelevant, refer the matter to the Supreme Court, and take whatever other action (including the adjournment of proceedings) is appropriate. (Sec. 18)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Parliament may make laws conferring original jurisdiction on the High Court in any matter:
(i) arising under this Constitution, or involving its interpretation;
… (Sec. 76)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English...
3. The Beretitenti may withhold his assent to a Bill only if he is of the opinion that the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.
4. If the Beretitenti withholds his assents to a Bill under the preceding subsection, the Bill shall be returned to the Maneaba for amendment.
5. If a Bill which has been returned to the Maneaba under the preceding subsection is again presented to the Beretitent, and the Beretitenti is still of the opinion that the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution, the Beretitenti shall refer the Bill to the High Court for a declaration as to whether or not the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.
6. If the High Court declares that the Bill, if assented to, would not be inconsistent with this Constitution, the Beretitenti shall assent to the Bill forthwith; if the High Court declares otherwise, the Bill shall be returned to the Maneaba.
… (Sec. 66)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The High Court shall have jurisdiction to supervise any civil or criminal proceedings before any subordinate court and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring that justice is duly administered by any such court.
(2) Where any question as to the interpretation of any provision of this Constitution other than Chapter II arises in any subordinate court and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court shall refer the question to the High Court.
(3) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of the preceding subsection, the High Court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 84)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Supreme Court shall be a superior court of record, shall consist of a Chief Justice and such number of other judges as may from time to time be prescribed by Act, and shall have appellate jurisdiction, as to both law and fact, with final authority to adjudicate all cases and controversies properly brought before it, in accord with this Constitution and other applicable laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
(2) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court:
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(b) as of right from any final decision of the High Court in the exercise of any appellate jurisdiction, but only if the High Court certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of the Constitution;
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(3) The High Court may, on its own motion or on application of any party to the proceedings, remove to the Supreme Court any question arising as to the interpretation or effect of the Constitution in any proceedings of the High Court, other than proceedings set down for trial before a bench of 3 judges.
… (Art. VI, Sec. 2)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Anyone who considers that a provision of the Constitution has been infringed in relation to him may, without prejudice to any other legal remedy available to him, apply to the Supreme Court for redress.
2. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to determine the matter and to make such order as it considers appropriate to enforce the provisions of the Constitution.
3. When a question concerning the interpretation of the Constitution arises before a subordinate court, and the court considers that the question concerns a fundamental point of law, the court shall submit the question to the Supreme Court for its determination. (Art. 53) - French1) Quiconque estime qu'une disposition de la Constitution a été violée à son encontre peut, sans préjudice des autres recours légaux ouverts, saisir la Cour Suprême pour dénoncer cette violation et obtenir réparation.
2) La Cour Suprême a compétence pour déterminer si une disposition de la Constitution a été violée et pour faire une déclaration en conséquence.
3) Lorsqu'une question relative à l'interprétation de la Constitution est soulevée devant une juridiction inférieure et que celle-ci considère que la question a trait à un point de droit fondamental, cette juridiction doit, à titre préjudiciel, soumettre cette question à la Cour Suprême. (Art. 53)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe President or a Minister may, in accordance with the approval of the Cabinet, refer to the Supreme Court for its opinion any question concerning the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution which has arisen or appears to the Cabinet likely to arise, and the Supreme Court shall pronounce in open court its opinion on the question. (Art. 55)