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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.
Composition and Appointment
- English
(1) A person is qualified for appointment as a judge of the Constitutional Court if he or she is a Zimbabwean citizen, is at least forty years old and has a sound knowledge of constitutional law and, in addition, possesses one of the following qualifications—
(a) he or she has been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, and English is an officially recognised language; or
(b) for at least twelve years, whether continuously or not, he or she has been qualified to practise as a legal practitioner—
(i) in Zimbabwe; or
(ii) in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English and English is an officially recognised language;
and is currently so qualified to practise.
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(2) To be appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court a person must be a fit and proper person to hold office as a judge. (Sec. 177)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the judicial body responsible for the protection of constitutionality. (1993 Constitution, Art. 83)
- CzechÚstavní soud je soudním orgánem ochrany ústavnosti. (Ústava 1993, Čl. 83)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Council sees to the regularity of the presidential elections. It examines the complaints and proclaims the results of the ballot.
The Constitutional Council decides, in case of dispute, on the regularity of the election or of the appointment of the members of the National Assembly.
In electoral matters, the Constitutional Council can be referred to [a matter] by any interested candidate.
It sees to the regularity of the operations of the referendum and proclaims the results of it.
The Constitutional Council sees to respect for the procedure of revision of the Constitution. (Art. 154) - French
Le Conseil constitutionnel veille à la régularité des élections présidentielles. Il examine les réclamations et proclame les résultats du scrutin.
Le Conseil constitutionnel statue, en cas de contestation, sur la régularité de l’élection ou de la nomination des membres de l’Assemblée nationale.
En matière électorale, le Conseil constitutionnel peut être saisi par tout candidat intéressé.
Il veille à la régularité des opérations de référendum et en proclame les résultats.
Le Conseil constitutionnel veille au respect de la procédure de révision de la Constitution. (Art. 154)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) An appeal shall lie from final decisions of the Court of Appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice as of right in the following cases –
…
(c) in any civil or criminal proceedings which involve a question as to the interpretation of this Constitution;
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(e) in any proceedings that are concerned with the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court relating to redress for the contravention of the provisions of this Constitution for the protection of fundamental rights;
… (Sec. 104)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. A Special Highest Court shall be established, the jurisdiction of which shall comprise:
a) The trial of objections in accordance with article 58.
b) Verification of the validity and returns of a referendum held in accordance with article 44 paragraph 2.
c) Judgment in cases involving the incompatibility or the forfeiture of office by a Member of Parliament, in accordance with article 55 paragraph 2 and article 57.
d) Settlement of any conflict between the courts and the administrative authorities, or between the Supreme Administrative Court and the ordinary administrative courts on one hand and the civil and criminal courts on the other, or between the Court of Audit and any other court.
e) Settlement of controversies on whether the content of a statute enacted by Parliament is contrary to the Constitution, or on the interpretation of provisions of such statute when conflicting judgments have been pronounced by the Supreme Administrative Court, the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court or the Court of Audit.
f) The settlement of controversies related to the designation of rules of international law as generally acknowledged in accordance with article 28 paragraph 1.
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5. When a section of the Supreme Administrative Court or chamber of the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court or of the Court of Audit judges a provision of a statute to be contrary to the Constitution, it is bound to refer the question to the respective plenum, unless this has been judged by a previous decision of the plenum or of the Special Highest Court of this article. The plenum shall be assembled into judicial formation and shall decide definitively, as specified by law. This regulation shall also apply accordingly to the elaboration of regulatory decrees by the Supreme Administrative Court. (Art. 100) - Greek1. Συνιστάται Aνώτατο Eιδικό Δικαστήριο στο οποίο υπάγονται:
α) H εκδίκαση ενστάσεων κατά το άρθρο 58.
β) O έλεγχος του κύρους και των αποτελεσμάτων δημοψηφίσματος που ενεργείται κατά το άρθρο 44 παράγραφος 2.
γ) H κρίση για τα ασυμβίβαστα ή την έκπτωση βουλευτή, κατά τα άρθρα 55 παράγραφος 2 και 57.
δ) H άρση των συγκρούσεων μεταξύ των δικαστηρίων και των διοικητικών αρχών ή μεταξύ του Συμβουλίου της Eπικρατείας και των τακτικών διοικητικών δικαστηρίων αφενός και των αστικών και ποινικών δικαστηρίων αφετέρου ή, τέλος, μεταξύ του Eλεγκτικού Συνεδρίου και των λοιπών δικαστηρίων.
ε) H άρση της αμφισβήτησης για την ουσιαστική αντισυνταγματικότητα ή την έννοια διατάξεων τυπικού νόμου, αν εκδόθηκαν γι' αυτές αντίθετες αποφάσεις του Συμβουλίου της Eπικρατείας, του Aρείου Πάγου ή του Eλεγκτικού Συνεδρίου.
στ) H άρση της αμφισβήτησης για το χαρακτηρισμό κανόνων του διεθνούς δικαίου ως γενι- κά παραδεγμένων κατά την παράγραφο 1 του άρθρου 28.
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5. Όταν τμήμα του Συμβουλίου της Επικρατείας ή του Αρείου Πάγου ή του Ελεγκτικού Συνεδρίου κρίνει διάταξη τυπικού νόμου αντισυνταγματική παραπέμπει υποχρεωτικά το ζήτημα στην οικεία ολομέλεια, εκτός αν αυτό έχει κριθεί με προηγούμενη απόφαση της ολομέλειας ή του Ανώτατου Ειδικού Δικαστηρίου του άρθρου αυτού. Η ολομέλεια συγκροτείται σε δικαστικό σχηματισμό και αποφαίνεται οριστικά, όπως νόμος ορίζει. Η ρύθμιση αυτή εφαρμόζεται αναλόγως και κατά την επεξεργασία των κανονιστικών διαταγμάτων από το Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας. ('Αρθρο 100)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the judge of the exceptions of unconstitutionality raised before or by a jurisdiction.
Any person may refer the Constitution Court to [a matter concerning] the unconstitutionality of any legislative or regulatory act.
In addition, he may refer the Constitutional Court to [a matter], by the procedure of the exception of unconstitutionality invoked in a matter concerning him before a jurisdiction.
That [jurisdiction] stays [its] decision and refers the Constitutional Court to [it], all [other] matters ceasing. (Art. 162) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est juge de l’exception d’inconstitutionnalité soulevée devant ou par une juridiction.
Toute personne peut saisir la Cour constitutionnelle pour inconstitutionnalité de tout acte législatif ou réglementaire.
Elle peut, en outre, saisir la Cour constitutionnelle, par la procédure de l’exception de l’inconstitutionnalité invoquée dans une affaire qui la concerne devant une juridiction.
Celle-ci sursoit à statuer et saisit, toutes affaires cessantes, la Cour constitutionnelle. (Art. 162)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. While the Constitutional Court is not legally installed, the administration of justice in matters of a legal and constitutional nature continues to be carried out by the Supreme Court of Justice that shall have the power:
a) To review for constitutionality and legality pursuant to Articles 277 and others thereafter, except as foreseen in paragraph 1, subparagraph b) of Article 278;
b) To verify the death and declare the permanent physical or mental incapacity of the President of the Republic, as well as declare temporary impediments to the exercise of his or her duties;
c) To verify the loss of office of the President in cases of conviction of crimes committed in the exercise of functions and in other cases foreseen in the Constitution;
d) To verify the death and declare the incapacity for the exercise of the presidential function by any candidate for President of the Republic;
e) To verify preventively the constitutionality and legality of national and local referendum proposals;
f) To perform all other functions as may be assigned by the Constitution and by the law.
2. Both the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court, specifically, in matters concerning electoral procedures, shall have the power:
a) To receive and admit nominations for President of the Republic;
b) To judge in the final instance the regularity and validity of electoral procedures, under the terms of the law;
c) To judge, at the request of their members and under the terms of the law, appeals related to the loss of office and to the elections held in the National Assembly, in the assemblies of local administrations and, in general, in any elective collegial organs foreseen in the Constitution;
d) To perform all other functions assigned by law.
3. Both the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court, specifically in matters concerning political party organizations, shall have the power:
a) To verify the legality of the constitution of political parties and their coalitions, as well as to assess the legality of their names, abbreviations and symbols;
b) To ensure, maintain and update the registration of political parties and their coalitions, under the terms of the law;
c) To declare the illegality of political parties and their coalitions, and order their dissolution, under the terms of the Constitution and the law;
d) To judge the challenges encountered in elections and decisions of organs of political parties that, under the terms of the law, are subject to appeal;
e) To perform all other functions assigned by law. (Art. 294) - Portuguese1. Enquanto o Tribunal Constitucional não for legalmente instalado, a administração da justiça em matérias de natureza jurídico-constitucional continua a ser feita pelo Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, ao qual compete:
a) Fiscalizar a constitucionalidade e a legalidade nos termos dos artigos 277º e seguintes, excepto nos casos previstos no número 1, alínea b) do artigo 278º;
b) Verificar a morte e declarar a incapacidade física ou psíquica permanente do Presidente da República, bem como declarar os impedimentos temporários para o exercício das suas funções;
c) Verificar a perda do cargo do Presidente da República nos casos de condenação por crimes cometidos no exercício de funções e noutros previstos na Constituição;
d) Verificar a morte e declarar a incapacidade para o exercício da função presidencial de qualquer candidato a Presidente da República;
e) Verificar preventivamente a constitucionalidade e legalidade das propostas de referendo nacional e local;
f) Exercer as demais funções que lhe sejam atribuídas pela Constituição e pela lei.
2. Compete, ainda, ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça enquanto Tribunal Constitucional, especificamente, em matéria de processo eleitoral:
a) Receber e admitir candidaturas para Presidente da República;
b) Julgar em última instância a regularidade e a validade dos actos de processo eleitoral, nos termos da lei;
c) Julgar, a requerimento dos respectivos membros e nos termos da lei, os recursos relativos a perda de mandato e às eleições realizadas na Assembleia Nacional, nas assembleias das autarquias locais e, no geral, em quaisquer órgãos colegiais electivos previstos na Constituição;
d) Exercer as demais funções atribuídas por lei.
3. Compete também ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, enquanto Tribunal Constitucional, especificamente, em matéria de organizações político-partidárias:
a) Verificar a legalidade da constituição de partidos politicos e suas coligações, bem como apreciar a legalidade das suas denominações, siglas e símbolos;
b) Assegurar, conservar e actualizar o registo dos partidos politicos e suas coligações, nos termos da lei;
c) Declarar a ilegalidade de partidos políticos e suas coligações, ordenando a respectiva extinção, nos termos da Constituição e da lei;
d) Julgar as acções de impugnação de eleições e deliberações de órgãos de partidos políticos que, nos termos da lei, sejam recorríveis;
e) Exercer as demais funções atribuídas por lei. (Art. 294)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishIt will correspond to a specialized Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to declare, by absolute majority of its members, the unconstitutionality of the norms of any nature and of the acts subject to the Public Law. The jurisdictional acts of the Judicial Power, the declaration of election made by the Supreme Tribunal of Elections and the others determined by the law[,] will not be impugnable by this way.
It will also correspond to it:
a. To settle the conflicts of competence between the powers of the State, the Supreme Tribunal of Elections included, as well as with the other entities or organs that the law indicates.
b. To take cognizance of the consultations on bills of constitutional reform, of approval of international agreements or treaties and of other bills of law, as provided in the law. (Art. 10) - SpanishCorresponderá a una Sala especializada de la Corte Suprema de Justicia declarar, por mayoría absoluta de sus miembros, la inconstitucionalidad de las normas de cualquier naturaleza y de los actos sujetos al Derecho Público. No serán impugnables en esta vía los actos jurisdiccionales del Poder Judicial, la declaratoria de elección que haga el Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones y los demás que determine la ley.
Le corresponderá además:
a) Dirimir los conflictos de competencia entre los poderes del Estado, incluido el Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, así como con las demás entidades y órganos que indique la ley.
b) Conocer de las consultas sobre proyectos de reforma constitucional, de aprobación de convenios o tratados internacionales y de otros proyectos de ley, según se disponga en la ley. (Art. 10)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWithout prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution and if need be, the law, the organisation and operations of the National Council are determined by the rule of procedure which the Council issued.
Before being enforced, these rules of procedure must be submitted to the Supreme Court, which decides on its compliance with the Constitution and, if need be, with law. (Art. 61) - FrenchSous réserve des dispositions constitutionnelles et, le cas échéant, législatives, l'organisation et le fonctionnement du Conseil National sont déterminés par le règlement intérieur arrêté par le Conseil.
Ce règlement doit, avant sa mise en application, être soumis au Tribunal Suprême, qui se prononce sur sa conformité aux dispositions constitutionnelles et, le cas échéant, législatives. (Art. 61)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The organic laws and the ordinances concerning the domain arising from the organic law are submitted by the Prime Minister to the Constitutional Court before their promulgation or their publication.The other categories of law, the ordinances as well as the regulatory acts that supposedly infringe the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms may be deferred to the Constitutional Court, either by the President of the Republic, or by the Prime Minister, or by the Presidents of the Chambers of Parliament or one-tenth (1/10) of the members of each Chamber, or by the Presidents of the Court of Cassation, of the Council of State and of the Court of Accounts, or by any citizen or any juridical person prejudiced by the law or the ordinance contested.
… (Art. 85) - French
Les lois organiques et les ordonnances portant sur le domaine relevant de la loi organique sont soumises par le Premier Ministre à la Cour Constitutionnelle avant leur promulgation ou leur publication.
Les autres catégories de loi, les ordonnances ainsi que les actes réglementaires censés porter atteinte aux droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et aux libertés publiques peuvent être déférés à la Cour Constitutionnelle, soit par le Président de la République, soit par le Premier Ministre, soit par les Présidents des Chambres du Parlement ou un dixième (1/10e) des membres de chaque Chambre, soit par les Présidents de la Cour de Cassation, du Conseil d’Etat et de la Cour des Comptes, soit par tout citoyen ou toute personne morale lésée par la loi, l’ordonnance ou l’acte réglementaire querellé.
... (Art. 85)