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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(1) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in any court of law in any part of Nigeria (other than in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court) and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any of the parties to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria and the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court shall
(a) if it is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; or
(b) if it is of opinion that the question does not involve a substantial question of law, remit the question to the court that made the reference to be disposed of in accordance with such directions as the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or the High Court may think fit to give.
(2) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court or a High Court, and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Court of Appeal; and where any question is referred in pursuance of this subsection, the court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision.
(3) Where any question as to the interpretation or application of this constitution arises in any proceedings in the Court of Appeal and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the Supreme Court which shall give its decision upon the question and give such directions to the Court of Appeal as it deems appropriate. (Sec. 295)
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
- English1. Appeals of unconstitutionality against laws or statutory rules may be lodged by one fifth of the General Council, the Head of Government and three Local Councils. One fifth of the General Council may lodge an appeal of unconstitutionality against the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber. The appeal shall be lodged within the thirty days following the publication of the rule.
… (Art. 99) - Catalan1. Poden interposar recurs d'inconstitucionalitat contra les lleis i els decrets legislatius una cinquena part dels membres del Consell General, el cap de Govern i tres Comuns. Una cinquena part dels membres del Consell General pot interposar recurs d'inconstitucionalitat contra el reglament de la cambra. El termini d'interposició de la demanda és de trenta dies des de la data de publicació de la norma.
… (Art. 99)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The President of the Republic may ask the Constitutional Court to conduct a prior review of the constitutionality of any rule contained in legislation that has been submitted for enactment, any international treaty submitted to him for ratification or any international agreement sent to him for signature.
2. One tenth of the Members of the National Assembly in full exercise of their office may also request a prior review of the constitutionality of any rule contained in legislation that has been submitted for enactment.
… (Art. 228) - Portuguese1. O Presidente da República pode requerer ao Tribunal Constitucional a apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade de qualquer norma constante de diploma legal que tenha sido submetido para promulgação, tratado internacional que lhe tenha sido submetido para ratificação ou acordo internacional que lhe tenha sido remetido para assinatura.
2. Pode ainda requerer a apreciação preventiva da constitucionalidade de qualquer norma constante de diploma legal que tenha sido submetido à promulgação um décimo dos Deputados à Assembleia Nacional em efectividade de funções.
... (Art. 228)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) After the Shari’ah, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia is the supreme law of the country. It binds the government and guides policy initiatives and decisions in all sections of government.
(2) Any law, or administrative action that is contrary to the Constitution may be invalidated by the Constitutional Court, which has the authority to do so in accordance with this Constitution. (Art. 4) - Somali(1) Shareecada ka sokow, Dastuurka Soomaaliya waa sharciga dalka ugu sarreeya, isaga ayayna xukuumaddu u hoggaansamaysaa, wuxuuna hagayaa hal-abuurka iyo go’aannada siyaasadeed ee qaybaha Dawladda oo dhan.
(2) Sharci kasta ama tallaabo maamul oo ka soo horjeedda Dastuurka, maxkamadda Dastuuriga ah ayaa awood u leh burrinta sharcigaas ama tallaabadaas maamul, si waafaqsan Dastuurkan. (Qodobka 4aad.)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe King consults the Constitutional Council on any proposal aiming at amending the Constitution. (Art. 143)
- Khmerព្រះមហាក្សត្រ ទ្រង់ពិគ្រោះមតិក្រុមប្រឹក្សាធម្មនុញ្ញចំពោះសេចក្តីស្នើទាំងឡាយដែលសុំធ្វើវិសោធនកម្មលើរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ។ (មាត្រា ១៤៣)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Constitutional Court has jurisdiction:
a) to annul statutes or individual provisions thereof if they are in conflicts with the constitutional order;
b) to annul other legal enactments or individual provisions thereof if they are in conflict with the constitutional order or a statute;
c) over constitutional complaints by the representative body of a self-governing region against an unlawful encroachment by the state;
d) over constitutional complaints against final decisions or other encroachments by public authorities infringing constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and basic freedoms;
e) over remedial actions from decisions concerning the certification of the election of a deputy or senator;
f) to resolve doubts concerning a deputy or senator’s loss of eligibility to hold office or the incompatibility under Article 25 of some other position or activity with holding the office of deputy or senator;
g) over a constitutional charge brought by the Senate against the president of the republic pursuant to Article 65, paragraph 2;
h) to decide on a petition by the president of the republic seeking the revocation of a joint resolution of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate pursuant to Article 66;
i) to decide on the measures necessary to implement a decision of an international tribunal which is binding on the Czech Republic, in the event that it cannot be otherwise implemented;
j) to determine whether a decision to dissolve a political party or other decision relating to the activities of a political party is in conformity with constitutional acts or other laws;
k) to decide jurisdictional disputes between state bodies and bodies of self-governing regions, unless that power is given by statute to another body.
(2) Prior to the ratification of a treaty under Article 10a or Article 49, the Constitutional Court shall further have jurisdiction to decide concerning the treaty’s conformity with the constitutional order. A treaty may not be ratified prior to the Constitutional Court giving judgment.
(3) A statute may provide that, in place of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Administrative Court shall have jurisdiction:
a) to annul legal enactments other than statutes or individual provisions thereof if they are inconsistent with a statute;
b) to decide jurisdictional disputes between state bodies and bodies of self-governing regions, unless that power is given by statute to another body. (1993 Constitution, Art. 87) - Czech(1) Ústavní soud rozhoduje
a) o zrušení zákonů nebo jejich jednotlivých ustanovení, jsou-li v rozporu s ústavním pořádkem,
b) o zrušení jiných právních předpisů nebo jejich jednotlivých ustanovení, jsou-li v rozporu s ústavním pořádkem nebo zákonem,
c) o ústavní stížnosti orgánů územní samosprávy proti nezákonnému zásahu státu,
d) o ústavní stížnosti proti pravomocnému rozhodnutí a jinému zásahu orgánů veřejné moci do ústavně zaručených základních práv a svobod,
e) o opravném prostředku proti rozhodnutí ve věci ověření volby poslance nebo senátora,
f) v pochybnostech o ztrátě volitelnosti a o neslučitelnosti výkonu funkcí poslance nebo senátora podle čl. 25,
g) o ústavní žalobě Senátu proti prezidentu republiky podle čl. 65 odst. 2,
h) o návrhu prezidenta republiky na zrušení usnesení Poslanecké sněmovny a Senátu podle čl. 66,
i) o opatřeních nezbytných k provedení rozhodnutí mezinárodního soudu, které je pro Českou republiku závazné, pokud je nelze provést jinak,
j) o tom, zda rozhodnutí o rozpuštění politické strany nebo jiné rozhodnutí týkající se činnosti politické strany je ve shodě s ústavními nebo jinými zákony,
k) spory o rozsah kompetencí státních orgánů a orgánů územní samosprávy, nepřísluší-li podle zákona jinému orgánu.
(2) Ústavní soud dále rozhoduje o souladu mezinárodní smlouvy podle čl. 10a a čl. 49 s ústavním pořádkem, a to před její ratifikací. Do rozhodnutí Ústavního soudu nemůže být smlouva ratifikována.
(3) Zákon může stanovit, že namísto Ústavního soudu rozhoduje Nejvyšší správní soud
a) o zrušení právních předpisů nebo jejich jednotlivých ustanovení, jsou-li v rozporu se zákonem,
b) spory o rozsah kompetencí státních orgánů a orgánů územní samosprávy, nepřísluší-li podle zákona jinému orgánu. (Ústava 1993, Čl. 87)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Council is referred to [a matter] by:
• the President of Faso;
• the Prime Minister;
• the President of the National Assembly;
• one-tenth (1/10) at least of the members of the National Assembly.
In addition, any citizen may refer [a matter] to the Constitutional Council concerning the constitutionality of the laws, either directly, or through the procedure of the pleadings [exception] of unconstitutionality invoked in a matter [affaire] which concerns them before a jurisdiction. This must postpone [the matter] until the decision of the Constitutional Council which must intervene within a maximum period of time of thirty days counting from its referral [to the matter].
The Constitutional Council can refer itself to any questions relative to its competence, if it judges it necessary. (Art. 157) - French
Le Conseil constitutionnel est saisi par :
• le Président du Faso;
• le Premier ministre;
• le Président de l'Assemblée nationale;
• un dixième (1/10) au moins des membres de chaque chambre du Parlement.
En outre, tout citoyen peut saisir le Conseil constitutionnel 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 du Conseil constitutionnel qui doit intervenir dans un délai maximum de trente jours à compter de sa saisine.
Le Conseil constitutionnel peut se saisir de toutes questions relevant de sa compétence s’il le juge nécessaire. (Art. 157)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the sole body competent to oversee the constitutionality of the following:
- Draft laws, upon the request of the President of the Republic, the Head of Government, or thirty members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People. The request shall be filed within seven days from the Assembly’s ratification of the draft law or ratification of a draft law in a modified version, after it has been returned from the President of the Republic.
- Constitutional draft laws submitted to it by the President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People as specified in Article 144 or to determine whether the procedures of amending the Constitution have been respected.
- Treaties presented to it by the President of the Republic before the draft law approving them is signed.
- Laws referred to it by courts as a result of a request filed by a court, in the case of the invocation of a claim of unconstitutionality by one of the parties in litigation, in accordance with the procedures established by law.
- The rules of procedure of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, submitted to it by the Speaker of the Assembly.
The Constitutional Court is also responsible for other tasks that are conferred upon it by the Constitution. (Art. 120) - Arabicتختصّ المحكمة الدستورية دون سواها بمراقبة دستورية:
- مشاريع القوانين بناء على طلب من رئيس الجمهورية أو رئيس الحكومة أو ثلاثين عضوا من أعضاء مجلس نواب الشّعب يُرفع إليها في أجل أقصاه سبعة (7) أيّام من تاريخ مصادقة المجلس على مشروع القانون أو من تاريخ مصادقته على مشروع قانون في صيغة معدّلة بعد أن تمّ ردّه من قبل رئيس الجمهورية.
-مشاريع القوانين الدّستورية التي يعرضها عليها رئيس مجلس نواب الشّعب حسبما هو مقرّر بالفصل 144 أو لمراقبة احترام إجراءات تعديل الدستور.
- المعاهدات التي يعرضها عليها رئيس الجمهورية قبل ختم مشروع قانون الموافقة عليها.
- القوانين التي تحيلها عليها المحاكم تبعا للدّفع بعدم الدستورية بطلب من أحد الخصوم في الحالات وطبق الإجراءات التي يقرها القانون،
- النظام الدّاخلي لمجلس نواب الشعب الذي يعرضه عليها رئيس المجلس.
كما تتولى المهام الأخرى المسندة إليها بمقتضى الدستور. (الفصل 120) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est seule compétente pour contrôler la constitutionnalité :
- des projets de loi, sur demande du Président de la République, du Chef du Gouvernement ou de trente membres de l’Assemblée des représentants du peuple. La Cour est saisie dans un délai maximum de sept jours à compter de la date d’adoption du projet de loi ou de la date d’adoption du projet de loi amendé, après renvoi par le Président de la République ;
- des projets de loi constitutionnelle que lui soumet le Président de l’Assemblée des représentants du peuple conformément à ce qui est prévu à l’article 144 ou pour contrôler le respect des procédures de révision de la Constitution ;
- des traités que lui soumet le Président de la République avant la promulgation du projet de loi relatif à l’approbation de ces traités ;
- des lois que lui renvoient les tribunaux, suite à une exception d’inconstitutionnalité soulevée par l’une des parties, dans les cas et selon les procédures prévus par la loi ;
- du règlement intérieur de l’Assemblée des représentants du peuple que lui soumet le Président de l’Assemblée.
La Cour exerce les autres attributions qui lui sont conférées par la Constitution. (Art. 120)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Constitutional Court shall be the principal organ for the protection of the Fundamental Law.
(2) The Constitutional Court
a) shall examine the compliance of Acts which have been adopted but not yet promulgated with the Fundamental Law;
b) shall, at the initiative of a judge, review the conformity with the Fundamental Law of any law applicable in a particular case as a priority but within no more than ninety days;
c) shall, on the basis of a constitutional complaint, review the conformity with the Fundamental Law of any law applied in a particular case;
d) shall, on the basis of a constitutional complaint, review the conformity with the Fundamental Law of any judicial decision;
e) shall, at the initiative of the Government, one quarter of the Members of the National Assembly, the President of the Curia, the Prosecutor General or the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, review the conformity with the Fundamental Law of any law;
f) shall examine any law for conflict with any international treaties;
g) shall exercise further functions and powers as laid down in the Fundamental Law and in a cardinal Act.
(3) The Constitutional Court
a) shall, within its powers set out in paragraph (2) b), c), and e), annul any law or any provision of a law which conflicts with the Fundamental Law;
b) shall, within its powers set out in paragraph (2) d), annul any judicial decision which conflicts with the Fundamental Law;
c) may, within its powers set out in paragraph (2) f), annul any law or any provision of a law which conflicts with an international treaty; and shall determine legal consequences as set out in a cardinal Act.
(4) Those provisions of a law that were not requested to be reviewed may be reviewed and annulled by the Constitutional Court only if there is a close substantive connection between them and the provisions requested to be reviewed.
(5) The Constitutional Court may review the Fundamental Law or the amendment of the Fundamental Law only in relation to the procedural requirements laid down in the Fundamental Law for making and promulgating it. Such an examination may be initiated by:
a) the President of the Republic in respect of the Fundamental Law or the amendment of the Fundamental Law if adopted but not yet promulgated;
b) the Government, one quarter of the Members of the National Assembly, the President of the Curia, the Prosecutor General or the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights within thirty days of promulgation.
…
(7) The Constitutional Court shall, as provided for by a cardinal Act, hear the drafter of the rule, the initiator of the law or their representative or shall obtain their opinions during its review if the matter affects a wide range of persons. This stage of the procedure shall be public.
… (The State, Art. 24) - Hungarian(1) Az Alkotmánybíróság az Alaptörvény védelmének legfőbb szerve.
(2) Az Alkotmánybíróság
a) az Alaptörvénnyel való összhang szempontjából megvizsgálja az elfogadott, de ki nem hirdetett törvényeket;
b) bírói kezdeményezésre soron kívül, de legkésőbb kilencven napon belül felülvizsgálja az egyedi ügyben alkalmazandó jogszabálynak az Alaptörvénnyel való összhangját;
c) alkotmányjogi panasz alapján felülvizsgálja az egyedi ügyben alkalmazott jogszabálynak az Alaptörvénnyel való összhangját;
d) alkotmányjogi panasz alapján felülvizsgálja a bírói döntésnek az Alaptörvénnyel való összhangját;
e) a Kormány, az országgyűlési képviselők egynegyede, a Kúria elnöke, a legfőbb ügyész vagy az alapvető jogok biztosa kezdeményezésére felülvizsgálja a jogszabályoknak az Alaptörvénnyel való összhangját;
f) vizsgálja a jogszabályok nemzetközi szerződésbe ütközését;
g) az Alaptörvényben, illetve sarkalatos törvényben meghatározott további feladat- és hatásköröket gyakorol.
(3) Az Alkotmánybíróság
a) a (2) bekezdés b), c) és e) pontjában foglalt hatáskörében megsemmisíti az Alaptörvénnyel ellentétes jogszabályt vagy jogszabályi rendelkezést;
b) a (2) bekezdés d) pontjában foglalt hatáskörében megsemmisíti az Alaptörvénnyel ellentétes bírói döntést;
c) a (2) bekezdés f) pontjában foglalt hatáskörében megsemmisítheti a nemzetközi szerződésbe ütköző jogszabályt vagy jogszabályi rendelkezést; illetve sarkalatos törvényben meghatározott jogkövetkezményt állapít meg.
(4) Az Alkotmánybíróság a jogszabály felülvizsgálni nem kért rendelkezését csak abban az esetben vizsgálhatja, illetve semmisítheti meg, ha az a felülvizsgálni kért jogszabályi rendelkezéssel szoros tartalmi összefüggésben áll.
(5) Az Alkotmánybíróság az Alaptörvényt és az Alaptörvény módosítását csak a megalkotására és kihirdetésére vonatkozó, az Alaptörvényben foglalt eljárási követelmények tekintetében vizsgálhatja felül. E vizsgálatot
a) az elfogadott, de még ki nem hirdetett Alaptörvény és Alaptörvény-módosítás tekintetében a köztársasági elnök,
b) a kihirdetéstől számított harminc napon belül a Kormány, az országgyűlési képviselők egynegyede, a Kúria elnöke, a legfőbb ügyész vagy az alapvető jogok biztosa
kezdeményezheti.
…
(7) Az Alkotmánybíróság sarkalatos törvényben meghatározottak szerint a jogszabály megalkotóját, a törvény kezdeményezőjét vagy képviselőjüket meghallgatja, illetve véleményüket eljárása során beszerzi, ha az ügy a személyek széles körét érinti. Az eljárás ezen szakasza nyilvános.
… (Az Állam, 24. cikk)