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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...
(3) The Constitutional Court-
(a) is the highest court of the Republic; and
(b) may decide -
(i) constitutional matters; and
(ii) any other matter, if the Constitutional Court grants leave to appeal on the grounds that the matter raises an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by that Court; and
(c) makes the final decision whether a matter is within its jurisdiction.
(4) Only the Constitutional Court may -
(a) decide disputes between organs of state in the national or provincial sphere concerning the constitutional status, powers or functions of any of those organs of state;
(b) decide on the constitutionality of any parliamentary or provincial Bill, but may do so only in the circumstances anticipated in section 79 or 121;
(c) decide applications envisaged in section 80 or 122;
(d) decide on the constitutionality of any amendment to the Constitution;
(e) decide that Parliament or the President has failed to fulfil a constitutional obligation; or
(f) certify a provincial constitution in terms of section 144.
(5) The Constitutional Court makes the final decision whether an Act of Parliament, a provincial Act or conduct of the President is constitutional, and must confirm any order of invalidity made by the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court of South Africa, or a court of similar status, before that order has any force.
(6) National legislation or the rules of the Constitutional Court must allow a person, when it is in the interests of justice and with leave of the Constitutional Court—
(a) to bring a matter directly to the Constitutional Court; or
(b) to appeal directly to the Constitutional Court from any other court.
(7) A constitutional matter includes any issue involving the interpretation, protection or enforcement of the Constitution. (Sec. 167)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe National People’s Congress exercises the following functions and powers:
…
(2) to supervise the enforcement of the Constitution;
… (Art. 62) - Chinese全国人民代表大会行使下列职权:
…
(二)监督宪法的实施;
… (第六十二条)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall hear cases on compliance with the Constitution of acts of the legislative and executive authority.
… (Art. 132) - Uzbek
O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Konstitutsiyaviy sudi qonun chiqaruvchi va ijro etuvchi hokimiyat hujjatlarining Konstitutsiyaga muvofiqligi to‘g‘risidagi ishlarni ko‘radi.
... (132-modda)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Subject to Article 28, the Constitutional Court has original and final jurisdiction to hear—
a. a matter relating to the interpretation of this Constitution;
b. a matter relating to a violation or contravention of this Constitution;
…
2. Subject to Article 28 (2), where a question relating to this Constitution arises in a court, the person presiding in that court shall refer the question to the Constitutional Court.
3. Subject to Article 28, a person who alleges that—
a. an Act of Parliament or statutory instrument;
b. an action, measure or decision taken under law; or
c. an act, omission, measure or decision by a person or an authority; contravenes this Constitution, may petition the Constitutional Court for redress.
4. A decision of the Constitutional Court is not appealable to the Supreme Court. (Art. 128)
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
…
Sovereignty is exercised in accordance with this Constitution which is the Supreme Law of the State.
Any law, any regulatory text and any administrative act contrary to these provisions is null and void. Consequently, any citizen has the right to present himself before the Constitutional Court against the laws, texts and acts presumed unconstitutional. (Art. 3) - French
…
La souveraineté s'exerce conformément à la présente Constitution qui est la Loi Suprême de l'Etat.
Toute loi, tout texte réglementaire et tout acte administratif contraires à ces dispositions sont nuls et non avenus. En conséquence, tout citoyen a le droit de se pourvoir devant la Cour constitutionnelle contre les lois, textes et actes présumés inconstitutionnels. (Art. 3)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Popular Action (la Accion Popular) shall proceed against any act or omission by the authorities or individuals or collectives that violates or threatens to violate rights and collective interests related to public patrimony, space, security and health, the environment and other rights of a similar nature that are recognized by this Constitution. (Art. 135)
- SpanishLa Acción Popular procederá contra todo acto u omisión de las autoridades o de personas individuales o colectivas que violen o amenacen con violar derechos e intereses colectivos, relacionados con el patrimonio, el espacio, la seguridad y salubridad pública, el medio ambiente y otros de similar naturaleza reconocidos por esta Constitución. (Art. 135)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishIf the Constitutional Council, on a referral from the President of the Republic, from the Prime Minister, from the President of one or the other Houses, or from sixty Members of the National Assembly or sixty Senators, has held that an international undertaking contains a clause contrary to the Constitution, authorization to ratify or approve the international undertaking involved may be given only after amending the Constitution. (1958 Constitution, Art. 54)
- FrenchSi le Conseil constitutionnel, saisi par le Président de la République, par le Premier ministre, par le président de l'une ou l'autre assemblée ou par soixante députés ou soixante sénateurs, a déclaré qu'un engagement international comporte une clause contraire à la Constitution, l'autorisation de ratifier ou d'approuver l'engagement international en cause ne peut intervenir qu'après révision de la Constitution. (Constitution 1958, Art. 54)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
(2) Without derogating from the generality of subsection (1) the High Court has jurisdiction -
(a) to enforce the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed by this Constitution; and
(b) to hear and determine any matter of a constitutional nature.
… (Sec. 151)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The President of the Republic shall have the power:
…
p) To request, from the Constitutional Court, the preventive review of the constitutionality or legality of the proposals for a referendum at the national level;
q) To request, from the Constitutional Court, the preventive evaluation of the constitutionality of International Treaties;
r) To request, from the Constitutional Court, the review of the constitutionality of legal rules;
… (Art. 135) - Portuguese1. Compete ao Presidente da República:
…
p) Requerer ao Tribunal Constitucional a fiscalização preventiva da constitucionalidade ou da legalidade das propostas de referendo a nível nacional;
q) Requerer ao Tribunal Constitucional a apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade dos Tratados Internacionais;
r) Requerer ao Tribunal Constitucional a fiscalização da constitucionalidade das normas jurídicas;
… (Art. 135)