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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 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
- English1. In cases submitted for trial, tribunals may not apply rules that contravene the Constitution or the principles enshrined therein.
2. Matters of unconstitutionality may be raised by the tribunal of its own motion, by the Public Attorney’s Office, or by any of the parties.
3. After acknowledging the matter of unconstitutionality, the incident will be separately submitted to the Superior Tribunal of Justice, which will decide in a plenary session.
… (Art. 126) - Portuguese1 - Nos feitos submetidos a julgamentos não podem os tribunais aplicar normas que infrinjam o disposto na Constituição ou os princípios nela consagrados.
2 - A questão da inconstitucionalidade pode ser levantada oficiosamente pelo tribunal, pelo Ministério Público ou por qualquer das partes.
3 - Admitida a questão da inconstitucionalidade, o incidente sobe em separado ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, que decidirá em plenário.
... (Art. 126)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is [the] judge of the constitutionality of the laws and 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. 85) - FrenchLa Cour Constitutionnelle est juge de la constitutionnalité des lois et 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. 85)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. Supreme Court decisions harmonising questions of law and other decisions made on grounds of unconstitutionality must be referred to the Constitutional Council in the following cases:
a. in the event of a refusal to apply any rule on grounds of its unconstitutionality;
b. when the Attorney General of the Republic or the Public Prosecution Service requests an abstract evaluation of the constitutionality or legality of a rule whose application has been refused, on grounds of unconstitutionality or illegality, by judicial decision from which there is no appeal.
2. The law shall regulate the rules on admissibility of appeals contemplated in this provision. (Art. 246) - Portuguese1. Devem ser remetidos obrigatoriamente para o Conselho Constitucional, os acórdãos e outras decisões com fundamento na inconstitucionalidade, nos seguintes casos:
a) quando se recuse a aplicação de qualquer norma com base na sua inconstitucionalidade;
b) quando o Procurador-Geral da República ou o Ministério Público solicite a apreciação abstracta da constitucionalidade ou da legalidade de qualquer norma, cuja aplicação tenha sido recusada, com a justificação de inconstitucionalidade ou ilegalidade, por decisão judicial insusceptível de recurso.
2. A lei regula o regime de admissão dos recursos previstos nesta disposição. (Art. 246)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
2. Questions of unconstitutionality may be raised officiously by the court, the Public Prosecutor or by either party.
3. Should the question of unconstitutionality be raised, the incident shall be filed separately with the Constitutional Court, which shall decide.
… (Art. 129) - Portuguese…
2. A questão da inconstitucionalidade pode ser levantada oficiosamente pelo tribunal, pelo Ministério Público ou por qualquer das partes.
3. Admitida a questão da inconstitucionalidade, o incidente sobe em separado para o Tribunal Constitucional, que decidirá.
… (Art. 129)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
Any citizen can refer [a matter] to the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of the laws, either directly, or by the procedure of the pleadings [exception] of unconstitutionality invoked in a matter which concerns that citizen before a jurisdiction. That [jurisdiction] must defer until the decision the Constitutional Court which must intervene within a time period of thirty days. (Art. 122)
- French
Tout citoyen peut saisir la Cour constitutionnelle sur la constitutionnalité des lois, soit directement, soit par la procédure de l'exception d'inconstitutionnalité invoquée dans une affaire qui le concerne devant une juridiction. Celle-ci doit surseoir jusqu'à la décision de la Cour constitutionnelle qui doit intervenir dans un délai de trente jours. (Art. 122)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The High Court of South Africa may decide-
(a) any constitutional matter except a matter that-
(i) the Constitutional Court has agreed to hear directly in terms of section 167(6)(a); or
(ii) is assigned by an Act of Parliament to another court of a status similar to the High Court of South Africa; and
(b) any other matter not assigned to another court by an Act of Parliament.
… (Sec. 169)
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
- English(1) Where a court makes an order concerning the constitutional invalidity of any law or any conduct of the President or Parliament, the order has no force unless it is confirmed by the Constitutional Court.
(2) A court which makes an order of constitutional invalidity referred to in subsection (1) may grant a temporary interdict or other temporary relief to a party, or may adjourn the proceedings, pending a decision of the Constitutional Court on the validity of the law or conduct concerned.
(3) Any person with a sufficient interest may appeal, or apply, directly to the Constitutional Court to confirm or vary an order concerning constitutional validity by a court in terms of subsection (1).
(4) If a constitutional matter arises in any proceedings before a court, the person presiding over that court may and, if so requested by any party to the proceedings, must refer the matter to the Constitutional Court unless he or she considers the request is merely frivolous or vexatious.
(5) An Act of Parliament or rules of court must provide for the reference to the Constitutional Court of an order concerning constitutional invalidity made in terms of subsection (1) by a court other than the Constitutional Court.
… (Sec. 175)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is referred to [a matter], for opinion of conformity, before the promulgation of the organic laws or the implementation of the Internal Regulations of each Chamber of the Parliament.
… (Art. 179) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est saisie, pour avis de conformité, avant la promulgation des lois organiques ou la mise en application du règlement intérieur de chaque chambre du Parlement.
… (Art. 179)