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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 shall be qualified for appointment as Chief Justice if he or she is qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court and has been a judge of a superior court in a common law country for not less than ten years.
(2) A person shall be qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court if he or she holds or has held office as a judge of the Court of Appeal, or as a judge of a court having similar jurisdiction in a common law country, in each case for not less than five years, or if he or she has practised as a legal practitioner before a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in a common law country for not less than twelve years.
… (Sec. 139)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is charged with the control of the constitutionality of the laws and of the acts having the force of law.
The organic laws, before their promulgation, and the Internal Regulations of the parliamentary Chambers and of the Congress, of the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as of the Superior Council for Audiovisual and Communication, before their entry into application, must be submitted to the Constitutional Court which rules on their conformity with the Constitution.
For the same end of examining [the] constitutionality, the laws may be referred to the Constitutional Court, before their promulgation, by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate or a tenth of the Deputies or of the Senators.
… (Art. 160) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est chargée du contrôle de la constitutionnalité des lois et des actes ayant force de loi.
Les lois organiques, avant leur promulgation, et les Règlements intérieurs des Chambres parlementaires et du Congrès, de la Commission électorale nationale indépendante ainsi que du Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, avant leur mise en application, doivent être soumis à la Cour constitutionnelle qui se prononce sur leur conformité à la Constitution.
Aux mêmes fins d’examen de la constitutionnalité, les lois peuvent être déférées à la Cour constitutionnelle, avant leur promulgation, par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat ou le dixième des députés ou des sénateurs.
… (Art. 160)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe safeguarding of the integrity and supremacy of the Constitution is entrusted to the Constitutional Court in the strict and precise terms of this article. For such a purpose, it shall fulfill the following functions:
1. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against measures amending the Constitution, no matter what their origin, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
2. Decide, prior to a popular expression of opinion, on the constitutionality of the call for a referendum or a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
3. Decide on the constitutionality of referendums about laws and popular consultations and plebiscites of a national scope, in case of these last ones exclusively for errors of procedure in their convocation and implementation.
4. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against statutes, both for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
5. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against decrees with the force of law issued by the government on the basis of Article 150, numeral 10, and Article 341 of the Constitution for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
6. Decide on the exceptions provided for in Article 137 of the Constitution.
7. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the legislative decrees issued by the government on the basis of Articles 212, 213, and 215 of the Constitution.
8. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the bills opposed by the government as unconstitutional and of proposed statutory bills, both on account of their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
9. Revise, in the form determined by statute, the judicial decisions connected with the protection of constitutional rights.
10. To decide definitively on the constitutionality [exquibilidad/executability] of the international treaties and on the laws that approve them. To this end, the Government will submit them to the Court, within the six days subsequent to the sanction of the law. Any citizen can intervene to defend or challenge their constitutionality [constitucionalidad]. If the Court declares them constitutional, the Government may effect the exchange of notes; in the contrary case they will not be ratified. When one or several norms of a multilateral treaty are declared unconstitutional [inexquibilidad/unexecutable] by the Constitutional Court, the President of the Republic may only declare consent formulated [with] the corresponding reservation.
11. To settle [Dirimir] the conflicts of competence that occur between the distinct jurisdictions.
… (Art. 241) - SpanishA la Corte Constitucional se le confía la guarda de la integridad y supremacía de la Constitución, en los estrictos y precisos términos de este artículo. Con tal fin, cumplirá las siguientes funciones:
1. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que promuevan los ciudadanos contra los actos reformatorios de la Constitución, cualquiera que sea su origen, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
2. Decidir, con anterioridad al pronunciamiento popular, sobre la constitucionalidad de la convocatoria a un referendo o a una Asamblea Constituyente para reformar la Constitución, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
3. Decidir sobre la constitucionalidad de los referendos sobre leyes y de las consultas populares y plebiscitos del orden nacional. Estos últimos sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su convocatoria y realización.
4. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra las leyes, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
5. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra los decretos con fuerza de ley dictados por el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 150 numeral 10 y 341 de la Constitución, por su contenido material o por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
6. Decidir sobre las excusas de que trata el artículo 137 de la Constitución.
7. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los decretos legislativos que dicte el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 212, 213 y 215 de la Constitución.
8. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los proyectos de ley que hayan sido objetados por el Gobierno como inconstitucionales, y de los proyectos de leyes estatutarias, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
9. Revisar, en la forma que determine la ley, las decisiones judiciales relacionadas con la acción de tutela de los derechos constitucionales.
10. Decidir definitivamente sobre la exequibilidad de los tratados internacionales y de las leyes que los aprueben. Con tal fin, el Gobierno los remitirá a la Corte, dentro de los seis días siguientes a la sanción de la ley. Cualquier ciudadano podrá intervenir para defender o impugnar su constitucionalidad. Si la Corte los declara constitucionales, el Gobierno podrá efectuar el canje de notas; en caso contrario no serán ratificados. Cuando una o varias normas de un tratado multilateral sean declaradas inexequibles por la Corte Constitucional, el Presidente de la República sólo podrá manifestar el consentimiento formulando la correspondiente reserva.
11. Dirimir los conflictos de competencia que ocurran entre las distintas jurisdicciones.
… (Art. 241)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishA constitutional appeal against the acts of public authorities impairing fundamental rights may be lodged by:
a) Those having been party or accessory to the previous legal proceedings referred to in article 41.2 of this Constitution.
b) Those having a legal interest relating to non-enforceable provisions or acts of the General Council.
c) The Office of the Attorney General in case of violation of the fundamental right of jurisdiction. (Art. 102) - CatalanContra els actes dels poders públics que lesionin drets fonamentals, estan legitimats per demanar empara davant el Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Els qui hagin estat part o siguin coadjuvants en el procés judicial previ al que es refereix l'article 41.2 d'aquesta Constitució.
b) Els qui tinguin un interès legítim en relació a disposicions o actes sense força de llei del Consell General.
c) El Ministeri Fiscal en cas de violació del dret fonamental a la jurisdicció. (Art. 102)
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
- English
The Constitutional Court is the judge of the constitutionality of the laws and of the regularity of the elections. It guarantees the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms. It is the regulatory organ of the functioning of the institutions and of the activity of the public powers.
... (Art. 83)3 - French
La Cour constitutionnelle est la plus haute juridiction de l'État en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité des lois et de la régularité des élections. Elle garantit les droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et les libertés publiques. Elle est l’organe régulateur du fonctionnement des institutions et de l’activité des pouvoirs publics.
... (Art. 83)
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…
If the Riigikogu, for the second time and without amending it, passes a law which has been returned to it by the President, the President either promulgates the law or applies to the Supreme Court for a declaration of unconstitutionality in respect of that law.
… (Sec. 107) - Estonian…
Kui Riigikogu võtab Vabariigi Presidendi poolt tagasi saadetud seaduse muutmata kujul uuesti vastu, kuulutab Vabariigi President seaduse välja või pöördub Riigikohtu poole ettepanekuga tunnistada seadus põhiseadusega vastuolus olevaks.
… (§ 107)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is competent to:
– decide on the constitutionality of the laws and of the regulatory acts taken in the matters other than those arising within the domain of the law;
– assure the respect for this Constitution including the Charte des Droits fundamentaux [Charter of Fundamental Rights], by the organs of the State, [and] the other institutions;
– interpret the Constitution, at the demand of the President of the Republic, of the President of the National Assembly, of the President of the Senate, of one-quarter of the Deputies or of one-quarter of the Senators;
– decide on the regularity of the presidential elections, legislative [elections] and of the referenda and to proclaim the definitive results of them;
– receive the oath of the President of the Republic, of the Vice President of the Republic, of the Prime Minister and of the other Ministers before their entry into [their] functions;
– declare the vacancy of the post of President of the Republic.
– declare the vacancy of the seats of the parliamentarians.
The organic laws before their promulgation, the international treaties before submitting them to the vote of the Assemblies, the internal regulations of the National Assembly and of the Senate before their application, are submitted obligatory to the control of constitutionality. (Art. 234) - KirundiSentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro ifise ububasha bukurikira :
- kwihweza ko amabwirizwa n’amategeko ashingwa mu bidasanzwe biringanizwa n’ibwirizwa adaciye kubiri n’Ibwirizwa Shingiro ;
- gucungera ko iri bwirizwa shingiro harimwo n’amasezerano yerekeye amateka ngenderwako y’ikiremwa muntu yubahirizwa n’abantu, inzego za Reta, hamwe n’izindi nzego ;
- gutanga insiguro y’Ibwirizwa Shingiro, bisabwe n’Umukuru w’Igihugu, Umukuru w’Inama Nshingamateka, Umukuru w’Inama Nkenguzamateka, ica kane c’abashingamateka canke ica kane c’abakenguzamateka ;
- kwihweza ko amatora y’Umukuru w’Igihugu, y’abashingamateka n’abakenguzamateka n’ayo gusaba ebenegihugu ngo bemeze canke bahakane ikinaka vyaranguwe hakwirikijwe amategeko n’ugutangaza ivyavuye mu matora ;
- kwakira indahiro y’Umukuru w’Igihugu, iy’Icegera c’Umukuru w’Igihugu, iy’Umushikiranganji wa Mbere n’iz’abandi bashikiranganji imbere y’uko batangura kurangura amabanga bajejwe;
- kwemeza ko igihugu kitagifise umukuru w’Igihugu;
- Kwemeza ko intebe z’abashingamateka n’abakenguzamateka zigaragara.
Amabwirizwa yunganira Ibwirizwa Shingiro imbere y’uko atangazwa, amasezerano mpuzamakungu imbere yuko ashikirizwa Inama Nshingamateka n’Inama Nkenguzamateka ngo ziyemeze, amategeko ntunganyabikorwa atomora ingene Inama Nshingamateka n’ingene Inama Nkenguzamateka zitunganiriza imirimo yazo, ategerezwa gusuzumwa na Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro imbere y’uko atangazwa. (Ingingo ya 234) - FrenchLa Cour Constitutionnelle est compétente pour :
- statuer sur la constitutionnalité des lois et des actes réglementaires pris dans les matières autres que celle relevant du domaine de la loi ;
- assurer le respect de la présente Constitution y compris la Charte des Droits fondamentaux, par les organes de l’Etat, les autres institutions ;
- interpréter la Constitution, à la demande du Président de la République, du Président de l’Assemblée Nationale, du Président du Sénat, d’un quart des députés ou d’un quart des sénateurs ;
- statuer sur la régularité des élections présidentielles et législatives et des référendums et en proclamer les résultats définitifs ;
- recevoir le serment du Président de la République, du Vice-Président de la République, du Premier Ministre et des autres Ministres avant leur entrée en fonctions ;
- constater la vacance du poste de Président de la République ;
- constater la vacance des sièges des parlementaires.
Les lois organiques avant leur promulgation, les traités internationaux avant de les soumettre au vote des Assemblées, les règlements intérieurs de l’Assemblée Nationale et du Sénat avant leur mise en application, sont soumis obligatoirement au contrôle de constitutionnalité. (Art. 234)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe international engagements specified in Article 150 are deferred before ratification to the Constitutional Court, either by the President of the Republic, or by the President of the National Assembly or by one Deputy.
… (Art. 97) - FrenchLes engagements internationaux prévus à l'article 150 sont déférés avant ratification à la Cour constitutionnelle, soit par le président de la République, soit par le président de l'Assemblée nationale ou par un député.
… (Art. 97)