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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
The Federal Supreme Court may, ex-officio or upon request, upon decision of two thirds of its members, and following reiterated judicial decisions on constitutional matter, issue a summula (restatement of case law) which, as from publication in the official press, shall have a binding effect upon the lower bodies of the Judicial Power and the direct and indirect public administration, in the federal, state, and local levels, and which may also be reviewed or revoked, as set forth in law.
Paragraph 1. The purpose of a summula is to validate, construe, and impart effectiveness to some rules about which there is a current controversy among judicial bodies or among such bodies and the public administration, and such controversy brings about serious juridical insecurity and the filing of multiple lawsuits involving similar issues.
Paragraph 2. Without prejudice to the provisions the law may establish, the issuance, review, or revocation of a summula may be requested by those who may file a direct action of unconstitutionality.
Paragraph 3. An administrative act or judicial decision which contradicts the applicable summula or which unduly applies a summula may be appealed to the Supreme Federal Court, and if the appeal is granted, such Court shall declare the administrative act null and void or overrule the appealed judicial decision, ordering that a new judicial decision be issued, with or without applying the summula, as the case may be. (Art. 103-A) - Portuguese
O Supremo Tribunal Federal poderá, de ofício ou por provocação, mediante decisão de dois terços dos seus membros, após reiteradas decisões sobre matéria constitucional, aprovar súmula que, a partir de sua publicação na imprensa oficial, terá efeito vinculante em relação aos demais órgãos do Poder Judiciário e à administração pública direta e indireta, nas esferas federal, estadual e municipal, bem como proceder à sua revisão ou cancelamento, na forma estabelecida em lei.
§ 1º A súmula terá por objetivo a validade, a interpretação e a eficácia de normas determinadas, acerca das quais haja controvérsia atual entre órgãos judiciários ou entre esses e a administração pública que acarrete grave insegurança jurídica e relevante multiplicação de processos sobre questão idêntica.
§ 2º Sem prejuízo do que vier a ser estabelecido em lei, a aprovação, revisão ou cancelamento de súmula poderá ser provocada por aqueles que podem propor a ação direta de inconstitucionalidade.
§ 3º Do ato administrativo ou decisão judicial que contrariar a súmula aplicável ou que indevidamente a aplicar, caberá reclamação ao Supremo Tribunal Federal que, julgando-a procedente, anulará o ato administrativo ou cassará a decisão judicial reclamada, e determinará que outra seja proferida com ou sem a aplicação da súmula, conforme o caso. (Art. 103-A)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the highest jurisdiction of the State in constitutional matters. It is given the charge:
– to judge the constitutionality of the organic and ordinary laws, already promulgated or simply voted, of the regulations as well as of the Internal Regulations of the National Assembly and of the Senate;
– to take cognizance of electoral disputes;
– to see to the regularity of the electoral consultations, [and] to examine and to proclaim the definitive results;
– to see to the regularity of the operations of [the] referendum, to examine the complaints and to proclaim the definitive results;
– to receive the oath of the President of the Republic elected;
– to determine the conflicts of competence within the executive power, between the legislative and executive powers and between the State and the territorial collectivities;
– to declare the errors [constater des défauts] of promulgation of the laws definitively voted and the lack of their promulgation in order to permit their entry into force;
– to interpret the Constitution;
– to give its opinion concerning the bills or proposals of constitutional revision and the procedure of [the] referendum;
– to receive the declarations of patrimony. (Art. 95) - FrenchLa Cour Constitutionnelle est la plus haute juridiction de l'Etat en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est chargée de:
- juger de la constitutionnalité des lois organiques et ordinaires, déjà promulguées ou simplement votées, des règlements, ainsi que des Règlements Intérieurs de l'Assemblée Nationale et du Sénat;
- connaître du contentieux électoral;
- veiller à la régularité des consultations électorales, examiner les réclamations et proclamer les résultats définitifs;
- veiller à la régularité des opérations référendaires, examiner les réclamations et proclamer les résultats définitifs;
- recevoir le serment du Président de la République élu;
- trancher les conflits de compétence au sein du pouvoir exécutif, entre les pouvoirs législatif et exécutif, et entre l'État et les collectivités territoriales;
- constater les défauts de promulgation des lois définitivement votées et la carence de leur promulgation afin de permettre leur entrée en vigueur;
- interpréter la Constitution;
- donner son avis sur les projets ou propositions de révision constitutionnelle et la procédure référendaire;
- recevoir les déclarations de patrimoine. (Art. 95)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. All constitutional disputes shall be decided by the House of the Federation.
2. The House of the Federation shall, within thirty days of receipt, decide a constitutional dispute submitted to it by the Council of Constitutional Inquiry. (Art. 83) - Amharic1. የሕገ መንግሥታዊ ክርክር ጉዳይ ሲነሳ በፌዴሬሽኑ ምክር ቤት ውሳኔ ያገኛል፡፡2. የፌዴሬሽን ምክር ቤት፣ የሕገ መንግሥት ጉዳዮች አጣሪ ጉባኤ በሚያቀርብለት ሕገ መንግሥታዊ ጉዳይ ላይ በሠላሣ ቀናት ውስጥ ውሳኔ ይሰጣል፡፡ (አንቀጽ 83)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishAny person may file an initiative to start the procedure for the assessment of constitutionality and legality.
The procedure before the Constitutional Court for the assessment of constitutionality and legality may be initiated by the court, other state authority, local self-government authority and five Members of the Parliament.
The Constitutional Court itself may also initiate the procedure for the assessment of constitutionality and legality.
During the procedure, the Constitutional Court may order to stop the enforcement of an individual act or actions that have been taken on the basis of the law, other regulation or general act, the constitutionality, i.e. legality of which is being assessed, if the enforcement thereof could cause irreparable damage. (Art. 150) - MontenegrinSvako može dati inicijativu za pokretanje postupka za ocjenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti.
Postupak pred Ustavnim sudom za ocjenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti može da pokrene sud, drugi državni organ, organ lokalne samouprave i pet poslanika.
Ustavni sud može i sâm pokrenuti postupak za ocjenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti.
U toku postupka, Ustavni sud može narediti da se obustavi izvršenje pojedinačnog akta ili radnje koji su preduzeti na osnovu zakona, drugog propisa ili opšteg akta čija se ustavnost ili zakonitost ocjenjuje, ako bi njihovim izvršenjem mogle nastupiti neotklonjive štetne posljedice. (Član 150)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishProceedings for failure to comply shall be aimed at guaranteeing the application of rules and regulations comprising the legal system, as well as compliance with the rulings or reports of international human rights organizations, when the regulation or decision whose enforcement is being pursued contains an obligation to make it clear, express and enforceable. The petition shall be filed with the Constitutional Court. (Art. 93)
- SpanishLa acción por incumplimiento tendrá por objeto garantizar la aplicación de las normas que integran el sistema jurídico, así como el cumplimiento de sentencias o informes de organismos internacionales de derechos humanos, cuando la norma o decisión cuyo cumplimiento se persigue contenga una obligación de hacer o no hacer clara, expresa y exigible. La acción se interpondrá ante la Corte Constitucional. (Art. 93)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The international commitments provided for in Article 120 before their ratification, the constitutional laws adopted by parliamentary vote [voie], the organic laws before their promulgation, [and] the regulations of the parliamentary assemblies before their entry into application, must be deferred by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly or the President of the Senate to the Constitutional Council, which pronounces on their conformity with the Constitution.
... (Art. 134) - French
Les engagements internationaux visés à l'article 120 avant leur ratification, les lois constitutionnelles adoptées par voie parlementaire, les lois organiques avant leur promulgation, les règlements des assemblées parlementaires avant leur mise en application, doivent être déférés par la Président de la République, le Président de l'Assemblée nationale ou le Président du Sénat au Conseil constitutionnel, qui se prononce sur leur conformité à la Constitution.
… (Art. 134)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe authority of the interpretation of the Constitution is vested with the Guardian Council, which is to be done with the consent of three-fourths of its members. (Art. 98)
- Persianتفسیر قانون اساسی به عهده شورای نگهبان است که با تصویب سه چهارم آنان انجام میشود. (اصل 98)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English...
(3) Subject to clause (5), the High Court shall have—
…
(d) jurisdiction to hear any question respecting the interpretation of this Constitution including the determination of—
(i) the question whether any law is inconsistent with or in contravention of this Constitution;
(ii) the question whether anything said to be done under the authority of this Constitution or of any law is inconsistent with, or in contravention of, this Constitution;
(iii) any matter relating to constitutional powers of State organs in respect of county governments and any matter relating to the constitutional relationship between the levels of government;
(iv) a question relating to conflict of laws under Article 191;
… (Art. 165) - Swahili...
(3) Kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (5), Mahakama Kuu itakuwa-
…
(d) mamlaka ya kusikiliza shauri lolote kuhusu ufafanuzi wa Katiba hii ikiwa ni pamoja na uamuzi wa-
(i) shauri kwamba iwapo sheria yoyote ipo kinyume au imevunja Katiba hii;
(ii) shauri kwamba iwapo kuna kitu chochote ambacho kimefanywa chini ya mamlaka ya Katiba hii au ya sheria yoyote kipo kinyume au kimevunja Katiba hii;
(iii) jambo lolote linalohusiana na nguvu ya kikatiba ya vyombo vya Serikali kuhusu serikali za kaunti na jambo lolote linalohusiana na uhusiano wa kikatiba kati ya ngazi za serikali;
(iv) shauri linalohusiana na mgongano wa sheria chini ya Kifungu cha 191;
… (Kifungu cha 165)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court shall have the following powers:
a) to adjudicate on the constitutionality of laws, before the promulgation thereof upon notification by the President of Romania, one of the presidents of the two Chambers, the Government, the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Advocate of the People, a number of at least 50 deputies or at least 25 senators, as well as ex officio, on initiatives to revise the Constitution;
b) to adjudicate on the constitutionality of treaties or other international agreements, upon notification by one of the presidents of the two Chambers, a number of at least 50 deputies or at least 25 senators;
c) to adjudicate on the constitutionality of the Standing Orders of Parliament, upon notification, by the president of either Chamber, by a parliamentary group or a number of at least 50 Deputies or at least 25 Senators;
d) to decide on objections as to the unconstitutionality of laws and ordinances, brought up before courts of law or commercial arbitration; the objection as to the unconstitutionality may also be brought up directly by the Advocate of the People;
e) to solve legal disputes of a constitutional nature between public authorities, at the request of the President of Romania, one of the presidents of the two Chambers, the Prime Minister, or of the president of the Superior Council of Magistracy;
f) to guard the observance of the procedure for the election of the President of Romania and to confirm the ballot returns;
g) to ascertain the circumstances which justify the interim in the exercise of the office of President of Romania, and to report its findings to Parliament and the Government; h) to give advisory opinion on the proposal to suspend from office the President of Romania;
l) to guard the observance of the procedure for the organization and holding of a referendum, and to confirm its returns;
j) to check on compliance with the conditions for the exercise of the legislative initiative by citizens;
k) to decide on the objections of unconstitutionality of a political party;
l) to carry out also other duties stipulated by the organic law of the Court. (Art. 146) - RomanianCurtea Constituţională are următoarele atribuţii:
a) se pronunţă asupra constituţionalităţii legilor, înainte de promulgarea acestora, la sesizarea Preşedintelui României, a unuia dintre preşedinţii celor două Camere, a Guvernului, a Înaltei Curţi de Casaţie şi Justiţie, a Avocatului Poporului, a unui număr de cel puţin 50 de deputaţi sau de cel puţin 25 de senatori, precum şi, din oficiu, asupra iniţiativelor de revizuire a Constituţiei;
b) se pronunţă asupra constituţionalităţii tratatelor sau altor acorduri internaţionale, la sesizarea unuia dintre preşedinţii celor două Camere, a unui număr de cel puţin 50 de deputaţi sau de cel puţin 25 de senatori;
c) se pronunţă asupra constituţionalităţii regulamentelor Parlamentului, la sesizarea unuia dintre preşedinţii celor două Camere, a unui grup parlamentar sau a unui număr de cel puţin 50 de deputaţi sau de cel puţin 25 de senatori;
d) hotărăşte asupra excepţiilor de neconstituţionalitate privind legile şi ordonanţele, ridicate în faţa instanţelor judecătoreşti sau de arbitraj comercial; excepţia de neconstituţionalitate poate fi ridicată şi direct de Avocatul Poporului;
e) soluţionează conflictele juridice de natură constituţională dintre autorităţile publice, la cererea Preşedintelui României, a unuia dintre preşedinţii celor două Camere, a primului-ministru sau a preşedintelui Consiliului Superior al Magistraturii;
f) veghează la respectarea procedurii pentru alegerea Preşedintelui României şi confirmă rezultatele sufragiului;
g) constată existenţa împrejurărilor care justifică interimatul în exercitarea funcţiei de Preşedinte al României şi comunică cele constatate Parlamentului şi Guvernului;
h) dă aviz consultativ pentru propunerea de suspendare din funcţie a Preşedintelui României;
i) veghează la respectarea procedurii pentru organizarea şi desfăşurarea referendumului şi confirmă rezultatele acestuia;
j) verifică îndeplinirea condiţiilor pentru exercitarea iniţiativei legislative de către cetăţeni;
k) hotărăşte asupra contestaţiilor care au ca obiect constituţionalitatea unui partid politic;
l) îndeplineşte şi alte atribuţii prevăzute de legea organică a Curţii. (Art. 146)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) An appeal to the Court of Appeal shall lie as of right from decisions of the High Court in the following cases, that is to say -
(a) final decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation of this Constitution; and
(b) final decisions given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by article 153 (which relates to the enforcement of fundamental rights and freedoms).
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to the matters for which provision is made by article 163. (Art. 133)