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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
- EnglishAmong the constitutional and legal functions of the Supreme Court of Justice shall be the following:
1. To guard the integrity of the Constitution. For this purpose, and after hearing the opinion of the Attorney General of the Nation or the Solicitor General of the Administration, the Court in plenary session shall try and rule on cases concerning the unconstitutionality of laws, decrees, decisions, resolutions and other acts that for reasons of substance or form are challenged before it, by any person.
When during the proceedings of a case, the public official entrusted with the administration of Justice considers, or it is observed by one of the parties, that the legal or regulatory provision applicable to the case is unconstitutional, he/she shall submit the question to the cognizance of the Court in plenary session, except when the provision has already been the subject of a decision, and shall order a continuance of the case, until the question of constitutionality is decided.
The parties only shall be able to formulate such observations one time during the process of a case;
… (Art. 206) - SpanishLa Corte Suprema de Justicia tendrá, entre sus atribuciones constitucionales y legales, las siguientes:
1. La guarda de la integridad de la Constitución para lo cual la Corte en pleno conocerá y decidirá, con audiencia del Procurador General de la Nación o del Procurador de la Administración, sobre la inconstitucionalidad de las Leyes, decretos, acuerdos, resoluciones y demás actos que por razones de fondo o de forma impugne ante ella cualquier persona.
Cuando en un proceso el funcionario público encargado de impartir justicia advirtiere o se lo advirtiere alguna de las partes que la disposición legal o reglamentaria aplicable al caso es inconstitucional, someterá la cuestión al conocimiento del pleno de la Corte, salvo que la disposición haya sido objeto de pronunciamiento por parte de ésta, y continuará el curso del negocio hasta colocarlo en estado de decidir.
Las partes sólo podrán formular tales advertencias una sola vez por instancia.
… (Art. 206)
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
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court controls the regularity of the presidential and legislative elections. It examines the claims, decides on the disputes of the presidential and of the legislative elections and proclaims the results of the ballots. It decides on the regularity of the referendum and proclaims their results of them. (Art. 127)
- FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle contrôle la régularité des élections présidentielles et législatives. Elle examine les réclamations, statue sur le contentieux des élections présidentielles et législatives et proclame les résultats des scrutins. Elle statue sur la régularité du référendum et en proclame les résultats. (Art. 127)
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)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of section 22(2), 38(8)(b), 102(2) and 105(10) of this Constitution, any person who alleges that any provisions of this Constitution (other than a provision of Chapter 13 thereof) has been or is being contravened may, if he 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 1 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 provisions 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 is such as to affect his interests.
(6) The rights 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 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 36 of this Constitution. (Sec. 96)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Preventive review of the constitutionality may be requested from the Constitutional Court:
a) By the President of the Republic, in respect of any rule contained in an international treaty or agreement that is referred to it for ratification, as well as in respect of any provision of legislation it has been sent for promulgation as a law, legislative decree or decree-law;
b) By, at least, fifteen Deputies in full exercise of their functions or by the Prime Minister in respect of any rule contained in a legislation act sent to the President for promulgation as law subject to approval by a qualified majority.
… (Art. 278) - Portuguese1. A apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade pode ser requerida ao Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Pelo Presidente da República, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de tratado ou acordo internacional que lhe tenha sido submetido para ratificação, bem como relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo que lhe tenha sido enviado para promulgação como lei, decreto legislativo ou decreto-lei;
b) Por, pelo menos, quinze Deputados em efectividade de funções ou pelo Primeiro Ministro, relativamente a qualquer norma constante de acto legislativo enviado ao Presidente da República para promulgação como lei sujeita a aprovação por maioria qualificada.
… (Art. 278)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. At the request of the President of the Republic or, on the grounds of infringement of the laws of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, of the Chairman of the Regional Legislative, the Constitutional Court shall review and verify non-compliance with the Constitution by omission of the legislative measures necessary for making the constitutional rules enforceable.
2. Whenever the Constitutional Court verifies the existence of unconstitutionality by omission, it shall notify the appropriate legislative body. (Art. 148) - Portuguese1. A requerimento do Presidente da República ou, com fundamento em violação de direitos da Região Autónoma do Príncipe, do Presidente da Assembleia Legislativa Regional, o Tribunal Constitucional aprecia e verifica o não cumprimento da Constituição por omissão das medidas legislativas necessárias para tornar exequíveis as normas constitucionais.
2. Quando o Tribunal Constitucional verificar a existência da inconstitucionalidade por omissão, dará disso conhecimento ao órgão legislativo competente. (Art. 148)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) There shall be in and for Malta such Superior Courts having such powers and jurisdiction as may be provided by any law for the time being in force in Malta.
(2) One of the Superior Courts, composed of such three judges as could, in accordance with any law for the time being in force in Malta, compose the Court of Appeal, shall be known as the Constitutional Court and shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine –
(a) such questions as are referred to in article 63 of the Constitution;
(b) any reference made to it in accordance with article 56 of this Constitution and any matter referred to it in accordance with any law relating to the election of members of the House of Representatives;
(c) appeals from decisions of the Civil Court, First Hall, under article 46 of this Constitution;
(d) appeals from decisions of any court of original jurisdiction in Malta as to the interpretation of this Constitution other than those which may fall under article 46 of this Constitution;
(e) appeals from decisions of any court of original jurisdiction in Malta on questions as to the validity of laws other than those which may fall under article 46 of this Constitution; and
(f) any question decided by a court of original jurisdiction in Malta together with any of the questions referred to in the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-article on which an appeal has been made to the Constitutional Court:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude an appeal being brought separately before the Court of Appeal in accordance with any law for the time being in force in Malta.
… (Art. 95) - Maltese(1) Għandu jkun hemm f’MaIta u għal Malta dawk il-Qrati Superjuri li jkollhom dawk is-setgħat u ġurisdizzjoni kif ikun provdut b’xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.
(2) Waħda mill-Qrati Superjuri, magħmula minn tlieta mill-imħallfin li jkunu jistgħu, skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f ’Malta, joqgħodu fil-Qorti tal-Appell, għandha tkun magħrufa bħala l-Qorti Kostituzzjonali u jkollha ġurisdizzjoni li tisma’ u tiddeċidi -
(a) dawk il-kwistjonijiet li huma msemmija fl-artikolu 63 tal-Kostituzzjoni;
(b) kull ħaġa riferita lilha skont l-artikolu 56 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni u kull ħaġa riferita lilha skont kull liġi dwar l-elezzjoni tal-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati;
(ċ) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet tal-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili skont l-artikolu 46 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni;
(d) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet ta’ xi qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni oriġinali f’Malta fuq kwistjonijiet dwar interpretazzjoni ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni li ma jkunux dawk li jistgħu jaqgħu taħt l-artikolu 46 ta’ din il- Kostituzzjoni;
(e) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet ta’ xi qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni oriġinali f’Malta fuq kwistjonijiet dwar il-validità ta’ liġijiet li ma jkunux dawk li jistgħu jaqgħu taħt l-artikolu 46 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni; u
(f) kull kwistjoni deċiża minn qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni oriġinali f’Malta flimkien ma’ xi waħda mill-kwistjonijiet imsemmija fil-paragrafi ta’ qabel ta’ dan is-subartikolu li minnha jkun sar appell lill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali:
Iżda ebda ħaġa li tinsab f’dan il-paragrafu ma ttellef li appell jinġieb separatament quddiem il-Qorti tal-Appell skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien ikun hemm isseħħ f’Malta.
… (Art. 95)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Constitutional justice shall be administered by the Constitutional Court, ensuring the primacy of the Constitution.
2. When administering justice, the Constitutional Court shall be independent and shall abide only by the Constitution.
3. The powers of the Constitutional Court shall be stipulated by the Constitution, while the procedure of its formation and functioning shall be stipulated by the Constitution and the Law on the Constitutional Court. (Art. 167) - Armenian1. Սահմանադրական արդարադատությունն իրականացնում է Սահմանադրական դատարանը` ապահովելով Սահմանադրության գերակայությունը:
2. Արդարադատություն իրականացնելիս Սահմանադրական դատարանն անկախ է և ենթարկվում է միայն Սահմանադրությանը:
3. Սահմանադրական դատարանի լիազորությունները սահմանվում են Սահմանադրությամբ, իսկ կազմավորման և գործունեության կարգը` Սահմանադրությամբ և Սահմանադրական դատարանի մասին օրենքով: (Հոդված 167)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is referred to [a matter] by the President of the Republic, by the President of the National Assembly, by the President of the Senate, the Prime Minister or by a third of the members of each Chamber of the Parliament. (Art. 178)
- FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est saisie par le Président de la République, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Premier ministre ou par un tiers des membres de chaque chambre du Parlement. (Art. 178)