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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.
…
(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
- English
1. The Constitutional Court reviews preliminarily the constitutionality of the issues presented for a referendum according to Article 150, paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 151, paragraphs 2 and 3, as well as Article 177, paragraphs 4 and 5, within 60 days.
… (Art. 152) - Albanian
1. Gjykata Kushtetuese shqyrton paraprakisht kushtetutshmërinë e çështjeve të shtruara për referendum sipas nenit 150 paragrafët 1 e 2, nenit 151 paragrafët 2 e 3 edhe sipas nenit 177 paragrafët 4 e 5 brenda 60 ditëve.
… (Neni 152)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English...
(2) The Supreme Court shall be presided over by the Chief Justice and shall hear and adjudicate upon appeals emanating from the High Court, including appeals which involve the interpretation, implementation and upholding of this Constitution and the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed thereunder. The Supreme Court shall also deal with matters referred to it for decision by the Attorney-General under this Constitution, and with such other matters as may be authorised by Act of Parliament.
...
(4) The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court with regard to appeals shall be determined by Act of Parliament. (Art. 79)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
Beside the other attributions which are expressly conferred on it by other provisions of the Constitution, the Constitutional Court decides by an decision on the constitutionality of the treaties, the laws and the regulations.
The Constitutional Court may be referred to [the matter] of the constitutionality of the treaties before their ratification, and of the laws before their promulgation.
The Constitutional Court may be referred to [the matter] of the constitutionality of the regulations within a time period of one month, counting from the date of their publication.
The Constitutional Court decides equally by decision on the conventionality of the laws and of the regulations within the conditions established respectively in paragraphs 2 and 3 above.
The Constitutional Court is obligatorily referred to [the matter] of the conformity of the organic laws with the Constitution by the President of the Republic after their adoption by the Parliament. It decides by a decision on the whole of the text.
The Constitutional Court equally decides in the same forms provided for in the previous paragraph of the conformity of the internal regulations of each of the two chambers of the Parliament. (Art. 190) - Arabic
بالإضافة إلى الاختصاصات التي خولتها إياها صراحة أحكام أخرى في الدستور، تفصِل المحكمة الدستورية بقرار في دستورية المعاهدات والقوانين والتنظيمات.
يمكن إخطار المحكمة الدستورية بشأن دستورية المعاهدات قبل التصديق عليها، والقوانين قبل إصدارها.
يمكن إخطار المحكمة الدستورية بشأن دستورية التنظيمات خلال شهر من تاريخ نشرها.
تفصل المحكمة الدستورية بقرار حول توافق القوانين والتنظيمـات مع المعاهدات، ضمن الشروط المحددة، على التوالي، في الفقرتين 2 و 3 أعلاه.
يُخطِر رئــيس الجمهوريّة المحكمة الدستورية وجوبا، حول مطابقة القوانين الــعضويّـة للدستور بعد أن يصـادق عليهـا البرلمان. وتفصل المحكمة الدستورية بقرار بشأن النص كله.
تفصِل المحكمة الدستورية في مطابقة النّظام الدّاخلي لكلّ من غرفتي البرلمان للدستور،حسب الإجراءات المذكورة في الفقرة السّابقة. (المــادة 190) - French
Outre les autres attributions qui lui sont expressément conférées par d’autres dispositions de la Constitution, la Cour constitutionnelle se prononce par une décision sur la constitutionnalité des traités, des lois et des règlements.
La Cour constitutionnelle peut être saisie sur la constitutionnalité des traités avant leur ratification, et sur les lois avant leur promulgation.
La Cour constitutionnelle peut être saisie sur la constitutionnalité des règlements dans un délai d’un mois, à partir de la date de leur publication.
La Cour constitutionnelle se prononce également par décision sur la conventionnalité des lois et des règlements dans les conditions fixées respectivement aux paragraphes 2 et 3 ci-dessus.
La Cour constitutionnelle est saisie obligatoirement par le Président de la République sur la conformité des lois organiques à la Constitution après leur adoption par le Parlement. Elle statue par une décision sur l’ensemble du texte.
La Cour constitutionnelle se prononce également dans les mêmes formes prévues à l’alinéa précédent sur la conformité du règlement intérieur de chacune des deux chambres du Parlement. (Art. 190)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 22(2), 37(6), 41(11), 58(7), 117(8), 121(3) and 124(10), any person who alleges that any provision of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter I3 thereof) has been or is being contravened may, if he or she has a relevant interest, apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.
(2) The High Court shall have jurisdiction on an application made under this section to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter I thereof) has been or is being contravened and to make a declaration accordingly.
(3) Where the High Court makes a declaration under this section that a provision of this Constitution has been or is being contravened and the person on whose application the declaration is made has also applied for relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy as it considers appropriate, being a remedy available generally under any law in proceedings in the High Court.
(4) The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and powers conferred on the Court by or under this section, including provision with respect to the time within which any application under this section may be made.
(5) A person shall be regarded as having a relevant interest for the purpose of an application under this section only if the contravention of this Constitution alleged by him or her is such as to affect his or her interests.
(6) The right conferred on a person by this section to apply for a declaration and relief in respect of an alleged contravention of this Constitution shall be in addition to any other action in respect of the same matter that may be available to that person under any other law.
(7) Nothing in this section shall confer jurisdiction on the High Court to hear or determine any such question as is referred to in section 39. (Sec. 105)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Constitutional Court shall act on an initiative from not fewer than one-fifth of all Members of the National Assembly, the President, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Administrative Court or the Prosecutor General. A challenge to competence pursuant to para 1 item 3 of the preceding Article may further be filed by a municipal council.
(2) Should it find a discrepancy between law and the Constitution, the Supreme Court of Cassation or the Supreme Administrative Court shall suspend the proceedings on a case and shall refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.
(3) The Ombudsman may approach the Constitutional Court with a request for declaring as unconstitutional a law which infringes human rights and freedoms.
(4) The Supreme Judicial Council may approach the Constitutional Court with a petition to establish unconstitutionality of any law whereby any rights and freedoms of citizens are violated. (Art. 150) - Bulgarian(1) Конституционният съд действува по инициатива най-малко на една пета от народните представители, президента, Министерския съвет, Върховния касационен съд, Върховния административен съд и главния прокурор. Спорове за компетентност по т. 3 на ал. 1 от предходния член могат да се повдигат и от общинските съвети.
(2) Когато установят несъответствие между закона и Конституцията, Върховният касационен съд или Върховният административен съд спират производството по делото и внасят въпроса в Конституционния съд.
(3) Омбудсманът може да сезира Конституционния съд с искане за установяване на противоконституционност на закон, с който се нарушават права и свободи на гражданите.
(4) Висшият адвокатски съвет може да сезира Конституционния съд с искане за установяване на противоконституционност на закон, с който се нарушават права и свободи на гражданите. (Чл. 150)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The Constitutional Court shall be the court with jurisdiction specifically over the administration of justice in matters of a legal and constitutional nature.
… (Art. 131) - Portuguese1. O Tribunal Constitucional é o tribunal ao qual compete especificamente administrar a justiça em matérias de natureza jurídico-constitucional.
… (Art. 131)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The organic laws before their promulgation, the Internal Regulations of the National Assembly, of the High Authority for Broadcasting and of Communication and of the Economic and Social Council prior to their implementation, must be submitted to the Constitutional Court which decides on their conformity with the Constitution. (Art. 123)
- French
Les lois organiques avant leur promulgation, les Règlements intérieurs de l'Assemblée nationale, de la Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication et du Conseil économique et social avant leur mise en application, doivent être soumis à la Cour constitutionnelle qui se prononce sur leur conformité à la Constitution. (Art. 123)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishAll of the judges of the Republic, within their respective spheres of competence and in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and law, are obligated to ensure the integrity of the Constitution.
In the event of incompatibility between the Constitution and a law or other juridical provision, the provisions of the Constitution shall prevail, being the responsibility of the courts to rule accordingly in any case, even ex officio.
The Constitutional Division of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, as court of constitutional competence, shall have the exclusive power to declare the nullity of laws and other acts of organs exercising Public Power which are issued by way of direct and immediate implementation of the Constitution or have the status of law. (Art. 334) - SpanishTodos los jueces o juezas de la República, en el ámbito de sus competencias y conforme a lo previsto en esta Constitución y en la ley, están en la obligación de asegurar la integridad de esta Constitución.
En caso de incompatibilidad entre esta Constitución y una ley u otra norma jurídica, se aplicarán las disposiciones constitucionales, correspondiendo a los tribunales en cualquier causa, aún de oficio, decidir lo conducente.
Corresponde exclusivamente a la Sala Constitucional del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia como jurisdicción constitucional, declarar la nulidad de las leyes y demás actos de los órganos que ejercen el Poder Público dictados en ejecución directa e inmediata de la Constitución o que tengan rango de ley, cuando colidan con aquella. (Art. 334)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishIf, during proceedings in progress before a court of law, it is claimed that a legislative provision infringes the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the matter may be referred by the Conseil d’État or by the Cour de Cassation to the Constitutional Council which shall rule within a determined period.
… (1958 Constitution, Art. 61-1) - FrenchLorsque, à l'occasion d'une instance en cours devant une juridiction, il est soutenu qu'une disposition législative porte atteinte aux droits et libertés que la Constitution garantit, le Conseil constitutionnel peut être saisi de cette question sur renvoi du Conseil d'État ou de la Cour de cassation qui se prononce dans un délai déterminé.
… (Constitution 1958, Art. 61-1)