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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) The Federal Constitutional Court shall rule:
1. on the interpretation of this Basic Law in the event of disputes concerning the extent of the rights and duties of a supreme federal body or of other parties vested with rights of their own by this Basic Law or by the rules of procedure of a supreme federal body;
2. in the event of disagreements or doubts concerning the formal or substantive compatibility of federal law or Land law with this Basic Law, or the compatibility of Land law with other federal law, on application of the Federal Government, of a Land government, or of one fourth of the Members of the Bundestag;
2a. in the event of disagreements whether a law meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of Article 72, on application of the Bundesrat or of the government or legislature of a Land;
3. in the event of disagreements concerning the rights and duties of the Federation and the Länder, especially in the execution of federal law by the Länder and in the exercise of federal oversight;
4. on other disputes involving public law between the Federation and the Länder, between different Länder, or within a Land, unless there is recourse to another court;
4a. on constitutional complaints, which may be filed by any person alleging that one of his basic rights or one of his rights under paragraph (4) of Article 20 or under Article 33, 38, 101, 103 or 104 has been infringed by public authority;
4b. on constitutional complaints filed by municipalities or associations of municipalities on the ground that their right to self-government under Article 28 has been infringed by a law; in the case of infringement by a Land law, however, only if the law cannot be challenged in the constitutional court of the Land;
4c. on complaints of associations against their non-recognition as party for the election to the German Federal Assembly;
5. in the other instances provided for in this Basic Law.
(2) At the request of the Bundesrat, a Land government or the parliamentary assembly of a Land, the Federal Constitutional Court shall also rule whether in cases falling under paragraph (4) of Article 72 the need for a regulation by federal law does not exist any longer or whether in the cases referred to in clause 1 of paragraph (2) of Article 125a federal law could not be enacted any longer. The Court’s determination that the need has ceased to exist or that federal law could no longer be enacted substitutes a federal law according to paragraph (4) of Article 72 or clause 2 of paragraph (2) of Article 125a. A request under the first sentence is admissible only if a bill falling under paragraph (4) of Article 72 or the second sentence of paragraph (2) of Article 125a has been rejected by the German Bundestag or if it has not been considered and determined upon within one year, or if a similar bill has been rejected by the Bundesrat.
(3) The Federal Constitutional Court shall also rule on such other matters as shall be assigned to it by a federal law. (Art. 93) - German(1) Das Bundesverfassungsgericht entscheidet:
1. über die Auslegung dieses Grundgesetzes aus Anlaß von Streitigkeiten über den Umfang der Rechte und Pflichten eines obersten Bundesorgans oder anderer Beteiligter, die durch dieses Grundgesetz oder in der Geschäftsordnung eines obersten Bundesorgans mit eigenen Rechten ausgestattet sind;
2. bei Meinungsverschiedenheiten oder Zweifeln über die förmliche und sachliche Vereinbarkeit von Bundesrecht oder Landesrecht mit diesem Grundgesetze oder die Vereinbarkeit von Landesrecht mit sonstigem Bundesrechte auf Antrag der Bundesregierung, einer Landesregierung oder eines Viertels der Mitglieder des Bundestages;
2a. bei Meinungsverschiedenheiten, ob ein Gesetz den Voraussetzungen des Artikels 72 Abs. 2 entspricht, auf Antrag des Bundesrates, einer Landesregierung oder der Volksvertretung eines Landes;
3. bei Meinungsverschiedenheiten über Rechte und Pflichten des Bundes und der Länder, insbesondere bei der Ausführung von Bundesrecht durch die Länder und bei der Ausübung der Bundesaufsicht;
4. in anderen öffentlich-rechtlichen Streitigkeiten zwischen dem Bunde und den Ländern, zwischen verschiedenen Ländern oder innerhalb eines Landes, soweit nicht ein anderer Rechtsweg gegeben ist;
4a. über Verfassungsbeschwerden, die von jedermann mit der Behauptung erhoben werden können, durch die öffentliche Gewalt in einem seiner Grundrechte oder in einem seiner in Artikel 20 Abs. 4, 33, 38, 101, 103 und 104 enthaltenen Rechte verletzt zu sein;
4b. über Verfassungsbeschwerden von Gemeinden und Gemeindeverbänden wegen Verletzung des Rechts auf Selbstverwaltung nach Artikel 28 durch ein Gesetz, bei Landesgesetzen jedoch nur, soweit nicht Beschwerde beim Landesverfassungsgericht erhoben werden kann;
4c. über Beschwerden von Vereinigungen gegen ihre Nichtanerkennung als Partei für die Wahl zum Bundestag;
5. in den übrigen in diesem Grundgesetze vorgesehenen Fällen.
(2) Das Bundesverfassungsgericht entscheidet außerdem auf Antrag des Bundesrates, einer Landesregierung oder der Volksvertretung eines Landes, ob im Falle des Artikels 72 Abs. 4 die Erforderlichkeit für eine bundesgesetzliche Regelung nach Artikel 72 Abs. 2 nicht mehr besteht oder Bundesrecht in den Fällen des Artikels 125a Abs. 2 Satz 1 nicht mehr erlassen werden könnte. Die Feststellung, dass die Erforderlichkeit entfallen ist oder Bundesrecht nicht mehr erlassen werden könnte, ersetzt ein Bundesgesetz nach Artikel 72 Abs. 4 oder nach Artikel 125a Abs. 2 Satz 2. Der Antrag nach Satz 1 ist nur zulässig, wenn eine Gesetzesvorlage nach Artikel 72 Abs. 4 oder nach Artikel 125a Abs. 2 Satz 2 im Bundestag abgelehnt oder über sie nicht innerhalb eines Jahres beraten und Beschluss gefasst oder wenn eine entsprechende Gesetzesvorlage im Bundesrat abgelehnt worden ist.
(3) Das Bundesverfassungsgericht wird ferner in den ihm sonst durch Bundesgesetz zugewiesenen Fällen tätig. (Art. 93)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and persons who, in conformity with the law regulating the constitutionality review process, have legitimacy to file an appeal, shall have the right to appeal with the Constitutional Court.
2. The appeal referred to in the preceding paragraph may only be filed after resort to other appeals provided for in the law of the proceedings in which the judgment was handed down have been exhausted, and the appeal shall be limited to the question of unconstitutionality or illegality, as the case may be.
3. The appeal filed against the decisions referred to in subparagraph c) of paragraph 1 and in the first part of subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of the preceding article shall be mandatorily filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. (Art. 282) - Portuguese1. Podem recorrer para o Tribunal Constitucional, o Ministério Público e as pessoas que, de acordo com a lei reguladora do processo de fiscalização da constitucionalidade, tenham legitimidade para interpor recurso.
2. O recurso referido no artigo anterior só pode ser interposto depois de esgotadas as vias de recurso estabelecidos na lei do processo em que foi proferida a decisão e é restrito à questão da inconstitucionalidade ou da ilegalidade, conforme o caso.
3. O recurso das decisões previstas na alínea c) do número 1 e da primeira parte da alínea a) do nº 2 do artigo antecedente é obrigatório para o Ministério Público. (Art. 282)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWithin the eight clear [francs] days that follow the adoption of a law, the President of the Republic, at least one-tenth of the Deputies or the Independent National Institution for Human Rights, may refer the Constitutional Court to [the matter] of a recourse looking to [visant] have it control the conformity of the law with the Constitution.
… (Art. 80) - FrenchDans les huit jours francs qui suivent l'adoption d'une loi, le président de la République, un dixième au moins des députés ou l'Institution Nationale Indépendante des Droits Humains, peuvent saisir la Cour constitutionnelle d'un recours visant à faire contrôler la conformité de la loi à la Constitution.
… (Art. 80)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Court of Constitutionality has the following functions:
a. To take cognizance in sole [unique] instance of the challenges interposed against the laws or provisions of general character, objected to for partial or total unconstitutionality;
b. To take cognizance in sole instance in its status of Extraordinary Tribunal of [the recourse of] amparo, of actions of amparo interposed against the Congress of the Republic, the Supreme Court of Justice, [or] the President or [the] Vice-President of the Republic;
c. To take cognizance on appeal of all [recourses of] amparo interposed before any of the tribunals of justice. If the appeal should be against a resolution of amparo of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Court of Constitutionality shall be expanded by two members [vocales] in the form specified in Article 268;
d. To take cognizance on appeal of all the challenges against the laws objected to for unconstitutionality in specific cases, in any trial, in cassation, or in the cases contemplated by the law in the matter;
e. To issue an opinion regarding the constitutionality of treaties, agreements, and bills of law at the request of any of the organs of the State;
f. To take cognizance and resolve [the] issues concerning to any conflict of jurisdiction in matters of constitutionality;
g. To compile the doctrine and constitutional principles that have been invoked with the purpose of resolving them through [the recourse of] amparo and [through the recourse] of unconstitutionality of the laws, [and] maintain the jurisprudential bulletin or gazette;
h. To issue an opinion on the unconstitutionality of the laws vetoed by the Executive alleging unconstitutionality; and
i. To act, to render opinions [opinar], to dictate, or to take cognizance of those matters under its competence established in the Constitution of the Republic. (Art. 272) - SpanishLa Corte de Constitucionalidad tiene las siguientes funciones:
a) Conocer en única instancia de las impugnaciones interpuestas contra leyes o disposiciones de carácter general, objetadas parcial o totalmente de inconstitucionalidad;
b) Conocer en única instancia en calidad de Tribunal Extraordinario de Amparo en las acciones de amparo interpuestas en contra del Congreso de la República, la Corte Suprema de Justicia, el Presidente y el Vicepresidente de la República;
c) Conocer en apelación de todos los amparos interpuestos ante cualquiera de los tribunales de justicia. Si la apelación fuere en contra de una resolución de amparo de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, la Corte de Constitucionalidad se ampliará con dos vocales en la forma prevista en el artículo 268;
d) Conocer en apelación de todas las impugnaciones en contra de las leyes objetadas de inconstitucionalidad en casos concretos, en cualquier juicio, en casación, o en los casos contemplados por la ley de la materia;
e) Emitir opinión sobre la constitucionalidad de los tratados, convenios y proyectos de ley, a solicitud de cualquiera de los organismos del Estado;
f) Conocer y resolver lo relativo a cualquier conflicto de jurisdicción en materia de constitucionalidad;
g) Compilar la doctrina y principios constitucionales que se vayan sentando con motivo de las resoluciones de amparo y de inconstitucionalidad de las leyes, manteniendo al día el boletín o gaceta jurisprudencial;
h) Emitir opinión sobre la inconstitucionalidad de las leyes vetadas por el Ejecutivo alegando inconstitucionalidad; e
i) Actuar, opinar, dictaminar o conocer de aquellos asuntos de su competencia establecidos en la Constitución de la República. (Art. 272)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) The Constitutional court is the sole authority of constitutional jurisdiction in the Republic of Moldova.
…
(3) The Constitutional Court guarantees the supremacy of the Constitution, ascertains the enforcement of the principle of separation of the State powers into the legislative, executive and judiciary, and it guarantees the responsibility of the State towards the citizen and of the citizen towards the State. (Art. 134) - Moldovian
(1) Curtea Constituţională este unica autoritate de jurisdicţie constituţională în Republica Moldova.
…
(3) Curtea Constituţională garantează supremaţia Constituţiei, asigură realizarea principiului separării puterii de stat în putere legislativă, putere executivă şi putere judecătorească şi garantează responsabilitatea statului faţă de cetăţean şi a cetăţeanului faţă de stat. (Art. 134)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen on the occasion of a pending legal proceeding before a jurisdiction, an exception of unconstitutionality is raised, the Constitutional Council may be referred to the matter on remand from the Court of Cassation.
If the provision is declared unconstitutional, the Constitutional Council returns it to the Parliament which decides sovereignly on the case. The new provision is promulgated. (Art. 190ter-8) - FrenchLorsqu'à l'occasion d'une instance en cours devant une juridiction, il est soulevé une exception d'inconstitutionnalité, le Conseil Constitutionnel peut en être saisi sur renvoi de la Cour de Cassation.
Si la disposition est déclarée inconstitutionnelle, le Conseil Constitutionnel la renvoie au Parlement qui statue souverainement sur le cas. La nouvelle disposition est promulguée. (Art. 190ter.8)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
Constitutionality and legality shall be protected by the Constitutional Court.
… (Art. 11) - Montenegrin…
Ustavnost i zakonitost štiti Ustavni sud.
… (Član 11)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
Any pleader [plaideur] can, by way of exception [pleadings], raise the unconstitutionality of a law before any jurisdiction.
… (Art. 135) - French
Tout plaideur peut, par voie d’exception, soulever l’inconstitutionnalité d'une loi devant toute juridiction.
… (Art. 135)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Law Commission shall have the powers—
a. to review and make recommendations regarding any matter pertaining to the laws of Malawi and their conformity with this Constitution and applicable international law;
b. to review and make recommendations regarding any matter pertaining to this Constitution;
c. to receive any submissions from any person or body regarding the laws of Malawi or this Constitution; and
d. to report its findings and recommendations to the Minister for the time being responsible for Justice who shall publish any such report and lay it before Parliament. (Sec. 135)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Supreme Court of Justice has the faculty to declare the unconstitutionality of the juridical norms and of the judicial resolutions, in the manner and to the extent [alcances] established in this Constitution and in the law. (Art. 132)
- SpanishLa corte suprema de Justicia tiene facultad para declarar la inconstitucionalidad de las normas jurídicas y de las resoluciones judiciales, en la forma y con los alcances establecidos en esta Constitución y en la ley. (Art. 132)