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...
(2) At any time when the judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Court number 4 or more, any judge of the High Court may convene a bench of 3 judges to decide any case in the High Court's jurisdiction, if the convening judge has determined that the case involves either a substantial question of law as to the interpretation or effect of a provision of this Constitution or any other matter of public importance; and, if an insufficient number of judges of the High Court is available, then without prejudice to the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in relation to that case, the remaining members of the bench shall be judges of the Supreme Court.
… (Art. VI, Sec. 3)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the jurisdiction given the charge of seeing to respect for the provisions of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court judges the regularity of the referendum consultations, [and] of the presidential, legislative and senatorial elections. It decides on the challenges to these consultations and elections.
It is the judge of the constitutionality of the laws.
The laws may, before their promulgation, be deferred to the Constitutional Court by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the President of High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications [Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication], the President of the Economic and Social Council, the President of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, the President of the Superior Council of the Magistrature, the Mediator of the Republic, the presidents of the parliamentary groups or one-fifth (1/5) of the members of the National Assembly or of the Senate.
To the same ends, the organic laws, before their promulgation, the internal regulations of the National Assembly and of the Senate, those of the High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications, [those] of the Economic and Social Council [those] of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, [and those] of the Superior Council of the Magistrature must be submitted to it before their application.
The Constitutional Court may be referred to [the matter] of a demand for [its] opinion on the meaning of the constitutional provisions by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, the President of High Authority of Audiovisuals and of Communications, the President of the Economic and Social Council, the President of the National Commission of the Rights of Man, the President of the Superior Council of the Magistrature, the Mediator of the Republic and the presidents of the parliamentary groups.
An organic law determines the other authorities and juridical [morale] persons who can refer the Constitutional Court [to matters], in matters of protection of fundamental rights.
In the course of a judicial instance, any physical or juridical person may, in limine litis, before the courts and tribunals, raise the pleadings [exception] of the unconstitutionality of a law. In this case, the jurisdiction suspends its decision and refers [the matter] to the constitutional court. … (Art. 104) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle est la juridiction chargée de veiller au respect des dispositions de la Constitution.
La Cour constitutionnelle juge de la régularité des consultations référendaires, des élections présidentielles, législatives et sénatoriales. Elle statue sur le contentieux de ces consultations et élections.
Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité des lois.
Les lois peuvent, avant leur promulgation, lui être déférées par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Président de la Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication, le Président du Conseil économique et social, le Président de la Commission nationale des droits de l’Homme, le Président du Conseil Supérieur de la magistrature, le Médiateur de la République, les présidents des groupes parlementaires ou un cinquième (1/5eme) des membres de l’Assemblée nationale ou du Sénat.
Aux mêmes fins, les lois organiques, avant leur promulgation, les règlements intérieurs de l’Assemblée nationale et du Sénat, ceux de la Haute Autorité de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, du Conseil économique et social, de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme et du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, avant leur application, doivent lui être soumis.
La Cour constitutionnelle peut être saisie d’une demande d’avis sur le sens des dispositions constitutionnelles par le Président de la République, le Premier ministre, le Président de l’Assemblée nationale, le Président du Sénat, le Président de la Haute Autorité de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication, le Président du Conseil économique et social, le Président de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme, le Président du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, le Médiateur de la République et les présidents des groupes parlementaires.
Une loi organique détermine les autres autorités et les personnes morales qui peuvent saisir la Cour constitutionnelle, en matière de protection des droits fondamentaux.
Au cours d’une instance judiciaire, toute personne physique ou morale peut, in limine litis, devant les cours et tribunaux, soulever l’exception d’inconstitutionnalité d’une loi. Dans ce cas, la juridiction sursoit à statuer et saisit la Cour constitutionnelle. ... (Art. 104)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Federal Supreme Court has the following powers:
1. Decide on different disputes among the member Emirates of the UAE, or between any one or more Emirates and the federal government in case that the dispute is remitted to the Court upon the request of any of the concerned parties.
2. Consider the constitutionality of a federal law if it is challenged by one or more Emirates on the grounds that it is in conflict with the Constitution of the UAE. The Court also has the power to consider the constitutionality of a legislation enacted by an Emirate if it is challenged by a federal authority on the grounds that it is in conflict with the Constitution of the UAE or the federal laws.
3. Consider the constitutionality of laws, legislations and regulations in general if it is so requested by any court in the country while hearing a relevant case. The concerned court shall comply with the decision of the Federal Supreme Court rendered in this connection.
4. Interpret the provisions of the Constitution, if it is so requested by any federal authority or by the Government of any Emirate. Any such interpretation is binding on everyone.
5. Call into account the ministers and senior officials of the UAE appointed by decree for their actions while performing their official duties upon the request of the Supreme Council and in accordance with the relevant law.
6. Decide on the crimes which directly affect the interests of the UAE, such as the crimes relating to the UAE’s internal or external security, forgery of the official records or seals of a federal authority, and counterfeiting of currency.
7. Hear the cases of conflict of jurisdiction between a federal court and a local court in an Emirate.
8. Hear the cases of conflict of jurisdiction between a court in an Emirate and a court in another Emirate. The rules governing these cases are regulated by a federal law.
9. Any other powers provided in the Constitution or which may be conferred upon the Federal Supreme Court by a federal law. (Art. 99) - Arabicتختص المحكمة الاتحادية العليا بالفصل في الأمور التالية:
1. المنازعات المختلفة بين الامارات الأعضاء في الاتحاد ، أو بين أية أمارة أو أكثر وبين حكومة الاتحاد ، متى أحيلت هذه المنازعات الى المحكمة بناء على طلب أي طرف من الأطراف المعنية
.2. بحث دستورية القوانين الاتحادية ، اذا ما طعن فيها من قبل امارة أو أكثر لمخالفتها لدستور الاتحاد. وبحث دستورية التشريعات الصادرة عن احدى الامارات ، اذا ما طعن فيها من قبل احدى السلطات الاتحادية ، لمخالفتها لدستور الاتحاد ، أو للقوانين الاتحادية
.3. بحث دستورية القوانين والتشريعات واللوائح عموما ، اذا ما أحيل اليها هذا الطلب من أية محكمة من محاكم البلاد أثناء دعوى منظورة أمامها وعلى المحكمة المذكورة أن تلتزم بقرار المحكمة الاتحادية العليا الصادر بهذا الصدد
.4. تفسير أحكام الدستور اذا ما طلبت اليها ذلك احدى سلطات الاتحاد ، أو حكومة احدى الامارات . ويعتبر هذا التفسير ملزما للكافة
.5. مساءلة الوزراء ، وكبار موظفي الاتحاد المعينين بمرسوم ، عما يقع منهم من أفعال في أداء وظائفهم الرسمية بناء على طلب المجلس الأعلى ووفقا للقانون الخاص بذلك
.6. الجرائم التي لها مساس مباشر بمصالح الاتحاد ، كالجرائم المتعلقة بأمنه في الداخل أو الخارج ، وجرائم تزوير المحررات أو الأختام الرسمية لاحدى السلطات الاتحادية ، وجرائم تزييف العملة
.7. تنازع الاختصاص بين القضاء الاتحادي والهيئات القضائية المحلية في الامارات
.8. تنازع الاختصاص بين هيئة قضائية في امارة وهيئة قضائية في امارة اخرى وتنظم القواعد الخاصة بذلك بقانون اتحادي
.9. أية اختصاصات أخرى منصوص عليها في هذا الدستور أو يمكن أن تحال اليها بموجب قانون اتحادي. (المادّة 99)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall:
...
10-1) in the interests of protecting the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, ensuring national security, sovereignty and integrity of the state, sends an appeal to the Constitutional Court on consideration of the law or other legal act that has entered into force for compliance with the Constitution of the Republic, on giving an opinion in the case provided for in paragraph 3 of article 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
... (Art. 44) - Kazak
Қазақстан Республикасының Президенті:
...
10-1) адамның және азаматтың құқықтары мен бостандықтарын қорғау, мемлекеттің ұлттық қауіпсіздігін, егемендігі мен тұтастығын қамтамасыз ету мүддесінде, күшіне енген заңды немесе өзге де құқықтық актіні Республика Конституциясына сәйкестігіне қарау туралы, Қазақстан Республикасы Конституциясының 91-бабының 3-тармағында көзделген жағдайда қорытынды беру туралы Конституциялық Сотқа өтініш жолдайды;
... (44-бап)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 33(2), 34(4), 54(18), 69(6), 80(4) and 123(3) of this Constitution, where any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution or the interpretation or application of the Treaty (as defined in section 131 of this Constitution) arises in any court of law established for Belize (other than the High Court or the Court of Appeal), and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court shall refer the question to the High Court.
(2) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of this section, the High Court shall, subject to subsection (3) below, give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if the decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Caribbean Court of Justice, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or, as the case may be, the Caribbean Court of Justice.
… (Sec. 96)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishA constitutional appeal against the acts of public authorities impairing fundamental rights may be lodged by:
a) Those having been party or accessory to the previous legal proceedings referred to in article 41.2 of this Constitution.
b) Those having a legal interest relating to non-enforceable provisions or acts of the General Council.
c) The Office of the Attorney General in case of violation of the fundamental right of jurisdiction. (Art. 102) - CatalanContra els actes dels poders públics que lesionin drets fonamentals, estan legitimats per demanar empara davant el Tribunal Constitucional:
a) Els qui hagin estat part o siguin coadjuvants en el procés judicial previ al que es refereix l'article 41.2 d'aquesta Constitució.
b) Els qui tinguin un interès legítim en relació a disposicions o actes sense força de llei del Consell General.
c) El Ministeri Fiscal en cas de violació del dret fonamental a la jurisdicció. (Art. 102)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court is the highest jurisdiction of the State in constitutional matters. It is the judge of the constitutionality of the law 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. 114)
- French
La Cour constitutionnelle est la plus haute juridiction de l'Etat en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité de la loi 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. 114)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court takes cognizance of the recourses for interpretation of the Constitution on being referred to [the matter] by the President of the Republic, by the Government, by the President of the Senate, by the President of the National Assembly, by one-tenth of the members of each of the parliamentary Chambers, by the provincial Governors and by the Presidents of the Provincial Assemblies.
It resolves disputes concerning the presidential and legislative elections as well [concerning the] referendum.
It takes cognizance of the conflicts of competence between the Executive Power and the Legislative Power as well as between the State and the Provinces.
It takes cognizance of the recourses against the orders rendered by the Court of Cassation and the Council of State, only insofar as it decides on the attribution of the litigation to the jurisdiction of the judicial order or [to the] administrative [order]. This recourse is only receivable if a denial of jurisdiction has been raised by or before the Court of Cassation or the Council of State.
The modalities and the effects of the recourses referred to in the preceding paragraphs are determined by the law. (Art. 161) - FrenchLa Cour constitutionnelle connaît des recours en interprétation de la Constitution sur saisine du Président de la République, du Gouvernement, du Président du Sénat, du Président de l’Assemblée nationale, d’un dixième des membres de chacune des Chambres parlementaires, des Gouverneurs de province et des présidents des Assemblées provinciales.
Elle juge du contentieux des élections présidentielles et législatives ainsi que du référendum.
Elle connaît des conflits de compétences entre le Pouvoir exécutif et le Pouvoir législatif ainsi qu’entre l’Etat et les provinces.
Elle connaît des recours contre les arrêts rendus par la Cour de cassation et le Conseil d’Etat, uniquement en tant qu’ils se prononcent sur l’attribution du litige aux juridictions de l’ordre judiciaire ou administratif. Ce recours n’est recevable que si un déclinatoire de juridiction a été soulevé par ou devant la Cour de cassation ou le Conseil d’Etat.
Les modalités et les effets des recours visés aux alinéas précédents sont déterminés par la loi. (Art. 161)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe processes promoted before the Constitutional Court in the matters to which this Article refers will be regulated by the law in conformity with the following provisions:
1. Any citizen can exercise the public recourses [acciones] provided for in the preceding Article and intervene as impugnor or defender of the norms submitted to control in the processes promoted by others, as well as in those cases where no public action exists.
2. The Procurator General of the Nation must intervene in all these processes.
… (Art. 242) - SpanishLos procesos que se adelanten ante la Corte Constitucional en las materias a que se refiere este título, serán regulados por la ley conforme a las siguientes disposiciones:
1. Cualquier ciudadano podrá ejercer las acciones públicas previstas en el artículo precedente, e intervenir como impugnador o defensor de las normas sometidas a control en los procesos promovidos por otros, así como en aquellos para los cuales no existe acción pública.
2. El Procurador General de la Nación deberá intervenir en todos los procesos.
... (Art. 242)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
If the Riigikogu, for the second time and without amending it, passes a law which has been returned to it by the President, the President either promulgates the law or applies to the Supreme Court for a declaration of unconstitutionality in respect of that law.
… (Sec. 107) - Estonian…
Kui Riigikogu võtab Vabariigi Presidendi poolt tagasi saadetud seaduse muutmata kujul uuesti vastu, kuulutab Vabariigi President seaduse välja või pöördub Riigikohtu poole ettepanekuga tunnistada seadus põhiseadusega vastuolus olevaks.
… (§ 107)