SEARCH DATABASE
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) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court and the laws administered thereunder, the Supreme Court shall:
(a) have such original, appellate and, revisional jurisdiction; and
(b) possess and exercise all the jurisdiction, power, and authority, which may be necessary to administer the laws of Samoa.
(2) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court and without prejudice to any appellate or revisional jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, where in any proceedings before another Court (except the Court of Appeal) a question arises as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution, the Supreme Court may, on the application of any party to the proceedings, determine that question and either dispose of the case or remit it to that other Court to be disposed of in accordance with the determination.
(3) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court, the Head of State, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, may refer to the Supreme Court for its opinion any question as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution which has arisen or appears likely to arise, and the Court shall pronounce its opinion on any question so referred to it. (Art. 70) - Samoan
(1) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa ma Tulafono o Jo o faafoeina ai i lalo, o le a i ai i le Faamasinoga Sili:
(a) o puleaga faavae, tau talosaga ma le toe iloiloga; ma
(b) i ai ma faatino o puleaga uma, pule ma pule faataga, ia e ono mafai ona talafeagai i le faafoeina o Tulafono a Samoa.
(2) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, ma e aunoa ma le faitioina o so o se itu e uiga i le toe iloiloga a le Faamasinoga Sili, i ni taualumaga i luma o se tasi faamasinoga (vagana ai a le Faamasinoga o Talosaga) e lagaina ai se faamatalaga po o se itu e uiga i le aoga o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae, e mafai e le Faamasinoga Sili, i le talosaga a so o se Vaega o tagata o Jo o auai i taualumaga ona faatatauina lena fesili ma faamaapeina le mataupu po o le tuu atu i luma o se tasi Faamasinoga e faamaapeina ai, ina ia talafeagai ma le fuafuaga ua faatatauina.
(3) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e mafai e le O Le Ao o le Malo, i luga o le fautuaga a le Palemia, ona siligia le Faamasinoga Sili mo sona finagalo i so o se mataupu e faaletonu ai e uiga i le faamatalaga po o se aoga o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae ua manu mai po o le faamata o le a manu mai, ma o le a faaalia e le Faamasinoga Sili i le faamasinoga e avanoa mo so o se tasi i sona finagalo e uiga i so o se mataupu na faapea ona tuuina atu ia te ia. (Mataupu 70)
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
- English
1. Recourse to the Constitutional Court is sought upon the request of the:
a) President of the Republic;
b) Prime Minister;
c) Not less than one-fifth of the members of Assembly;
ç) Peoples Advocate;
d) Head of High State Audit;
dh) Any court, as per the provisions of Article 145, paragraph 2, of this Constitution;
e) Any commissioner established by law for the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution;
ë) High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council;
f) Local governance units;
g) Organs of religious communities;
gj) Political parties;
h) Organizations;
i) Individuals.
2. The entities provided for in subparagraphs “d”, “dh”, “e”, “ë”, “f”, “g”, “gj”, “h”, and “i” of paragraph 1 of this Article may file a request only regarding the issues connected to their interests. (Art. 134) - Albanian
1. Gjykata Kushtetuese vihet në lëvizje me kërkesë të: a) Presidentit të Republikës;
b) Kryeministrit;
c) jo më pak se një të pestës së deputetëve;
ç) Avokatit të Popullit;
d) Kryetarit të Kontrollit të Lartë të Shtetit;
dh) çdo gjykate, sipas nenit 145, pika 2, të kësaj Kushtetute;
e) çdo komisioneri të krijuar me ligj për mbrojtjen e të drejtave dhe lirive themelore të garantuara nga Kushtetuta;
ë) Këshillit të Lartë Gjyqësor dhe Këshillit të Lartë të Prokurorisë; f) organeve të qeverisjes vendore;
g) organeve të bashkësive fetare;
gj) partive politike;
h) organizatave;
i) individëve.
2. Subjektet e parashikuara nga nënparagrafët “d”, “dh”, “e”, “ë”, “f”, “g”, “gj”, “h” dhe “i”, të paragrafit 1, të këtij neni, mund të bëjnë kërkesë vetëm për çështje që lidhen me interesat e tyre. (Neni 134)
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
- EnglishThe Supreme Constitutional Court shall be solely competent to decide on the constitutionality of laws and regulations, to interpret legislative provisions, and to adjudicate on disputes pertaining to the affairs of its members, on jurisdictional disputes between judicial bodies and entities that have judicial jurisdiction, on disputes pertaining to the implementation of two final contradictory judgments, one of which is rendered by a judicial body or an authority with judicial jurisdiction and the other is rendered by another, and on disputes pertaining to the execution of its judgments and decisions.
The law shall determine the Court’s other competences and regulate the procedures that are to be followed before the Court. (Art. 192) - Arabicتتولى المحكمة الدّستورية العليا دون غيرها الرّقابة القضائيّة على دستوريّة القوانين، واللّوائح، وتفسير النّصوص التّشريعية، والفصل فى المنازعات المتعلّقة بشؤون أعضائها، وفى تنازع الاختصاص بين جهات القضاء والهيئات ذات الاختصاص القضائى، والفصل فى النزاع الذي يقوم بشأن تنفيذ حكمين نهائيين متناقضين صادر أحدهما من أى جهة من جهات القضاء، أو هيئة ذات اختصاص قضائيّ، والآخر من جهة أخرى ، والمنازعات المتعلّقة بتنفيذ أحكامها، والقرارات الصّادرة منها.
يضبط القانون الاختصاصات الأخرى للمحكمة، وينظّم الإجراءات التى تتّبع أمامها. (المادّة 192)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe special proceedings for protection shall be admissible against those rulings or definitive judgments where there has been a violation, by deed or omission, of the rights enshrined in the Constitution, and they shall be filed with the Constitutional Court. This appeal shall be admissible when regular and special appeals have been exhausted within the legal framework, unless the failure to file these resources was not attributable to the negligence of the person bearing the constitutional right that was infringed. (Art. 94)
- SpanishLa acción extraordinaria de protección procederá contra sentencias o autos definitivos en los que se haya violado por acción u omisión derechos reconocidos en la Constitución, y se interpondrá ante la Corte Constitucional. El recurso procederá cuando se hayan agotado los recursos ordinarios y extraordinarios dentro del término legal, a menos que la falta de interposición de estos recursos no fuera atribuible a la negligencia de la persona titular del derecho constitucional vulnerado. (Art. 94)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Constitutional Court shall:
1. provide binding interpretations of the Constitution;
2. rule on constitutionality of the laws and other acts passed by the National Assembly and the acts of the President;
3. rule on competence disputes between the National Assembly, the President and the Council of Ministers, and between the bodies of local self-government and the central executive branch of government;
4. rule on the compatibility between the Constitution and the international treaties concluded by the Republic of Bulgaria prior to their ratification, and on the compatibility of domestic laws with the universally recognized norms of international law and the international treaties to which Bulgaria is a party;
5. rule on challenges to the constitutionality of political parties and associations;
6. rule on challenges to the legality of the election of the President and Vice President;
7. rule on challenges to the legality of an election of a Member of the National Assembly;
8. rule on impeachments by the National Assembly against the President or the Vice President.
(2) No authority of the Constitutional Court shall be vested or suspended by law. (Art. 149) - Bulgarian(1) Конституционният съд:
1. дава задължителни тълкувания на Конституцията;
2. произнася се по искане за установяване на противоконституционност на законите и нɚ другите актове на Народното събрание, както и на актовете на президента;
3. решава спорове за компетентност между Народното събрание, президента ɢ Министерския съвет, както и между органите на местно самоуправление и централнитɟ изпълнителни органи;
4. произнася се за съответствието на сключените от Република България международнɢ договори с Конституцията преди ратификацията им, както и за съответствие на законите ɫ общопризнатите норми на международното право и с международните договори, по които Българиɹ е страна;
5. произнася се по спорове за конституционността на политическите партии и сдружения;
6. произнася се по спорове за законността на избора за президент и вицепрезидент;
7. произнася се по спорове за законността на избора на народен представител;
8. произнася се по обвинения, повдигнати от Народното събрание срещу президента ɢ вицепрезидента.
(2) Със закон не могат да се дават или отнемат правомощия на Конституционния съд. (Чл. 149)
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
- English(1) A person who alleges that –
(a) an enactment or anything contained in or done under the authority of that or any other enactment; or
(b) any act or omission of any person;
is inconsistent with, or is in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may bring an action in the Supreme Court for a declaration to that effect.
(2) The Supreme Court shall, for the purposes of a declaration under clause (1) of this article, make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to the declaration so made.
… (Art. 2)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe actions against the laws, regulations or provisions of a general character which contain a partial or total defect [vicio] of unconstitutionality, will be heard directly before the Tribunal or Court of Constitutionality. (Art. 267)
- SpanishLas acciones en contra de leyes, reglamentos o disposiciones de carácter general que contengan vicio parcial o total de inconstitucionalidad, se plantearán directamente ante el Tribunal o Corte de Constitucionalidad. (Art. 267)