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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.
Composition and Appointment
- English
(1) A person is qualified for appointment as a judge of the Constitutional Court if he or she is a Zimbabwean citizen, is at least forty years old and has a sound knowledge of constitutional law and, in addition, possesses one of the following qualifications—
(a) he or she has been a judge of a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil or criminal matters in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English, and English is an officially recognised language; or
(b) for at least twelve years, whether continuously or not, he or she has been qualified to practise as a legal practitioner—
(i) in Zimbabwe; or
(ii) in a country in which the common law is Roman-Dutch or English and English is an officially recognised language;
and is currently so qualified to practise.
…
(2) To be appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court a person must be a fit and proper person to hold office as a judge. (Sec. 177)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The Constitutional Council is a sovereign public office with special jurisdiction to administer justice in matters of a legal-constitutional nature.
… (Art. 240) - Portuguese1. O Conselho Constitucional é o órgão de soberania, ao qual compete especialmente administrar a justiça, em matérias de natureza jurídico-constitucional.
… (Art. 240)
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 following are enabled to interpose [the] action of unconstitutionality:
1. The President of the Republic;
2. The Attorney [Fiscal] of the Nation;
3. The President of the Judicial Power, with agreement of the Plenary Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice;
4. The Defender of the People;
5. Twenty-five percent of the legal number of members of the Congress;
6. Five thousand citizens with signatures verified by the National Jurado of Elections. If the norm is a municipal ordinance, one percent of the citizens of the respective territorial domain [ámbito], are enabled to impugn it, whenever this percentage does not exceed the number of signatures specified above;
7. The Regional Governors, with the agreement of the Regional Council or the provincial mayors with agreement of their Council, in matters of their competence;
8. The professional associations [colegios], in matters of their specialty. (Art. 203) - Spanish
Están facultados para interponer acción de inconstitucionalidad:
1. El Presidente de la República.
2. El Fiscal de la Nación.
3. El Presidente del Poder Judicial, con acuerdo de la Sala Plena de la Corte Suprema de Justicia.
4. El Defensor del Pueblo.
5. El veinticinco por ciento del número legal de congresistas.
6. Cinco mil ciudadanos con firmas comprobadas por el Jurado Nacional de Elecciones. Si la norma es una ordenanza municipal, está facultado para impugnarla el uno por ciento de los ciudadanos del respectivo ámbito territorial, siempre que este porcentaje no exceda del número de firmas anteriormente señalado.
7. Los Gobernadores Regionales con acuerdo del Consejo Regional, o los alcaldes provinciales con acuerdo de su Concejo, en materias de su competencia.
8. Los colegios profesionales, en materias de su especialidad. (Art. 203)
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
- English(1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of the Federal High Court or a High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases –
…
(c) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution;
(d) decisions in any civil or criminal proceedings on questions as to whether any of the provisions of Chapter IV of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be, contravened in relation to any person;
… (Sec. 241)
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)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Supreme Court of Justice shall:
1. Try all violators of the Constitution, without exception; … (Art. 239) - SpanishA la Suprema Corte de Justicia corresponde:
1. Juzgar a todos los infractores de la Constitución, sin excepción alguna; … (Art. 239)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is referred to [a matter] by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate, by one-quarter of the members of the National Assembly or one-quarter of the members of the Senate, or by the Ombudsman.
Every natural or juridical person [personne physique ou morale] interested as well as the Public Ministry may refer the Constitutional Court [to a matter] concerning the constitutionality of the laws, either directly by way of [an] action or indirectly by the procedure of pleadings [exception] of unconstitutionality invoked in a matter submitted to another jurisdiction.
… (Art. 236) - KirundiUmukuru w’Igihugu, Umukuru w’Inama Nshingamateka, Umukuru w’Inama Nkenguzamateka, ica kane c’abashingamateka, ica kane c’abakenguzamateka canke Umuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Reta bafise ububasha bwo kwitura Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro.
Umuntu uwo ari we wese abifisemwo inyungu, ishirahamwe iryo ari ryo ryose ribifisemwo inyungu canke abashikirizamanza barashobora kwitura Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro bakadoma urutoke ku mabwirizwa n’amategeko yoba yashinzwe biciye kubiri n’Ibwirizwa Shingiro. Bashobora kubigira mu kwishikirira bo nyene Sentare yubahiriza Ibwirizwa Shingiro canke mu kubimenyesha abandi bacamanza mu gihe babonye ko urubanza bariko barabacira rushingiye ku ngingo y’Ibwirizwa canke y’Itegeko iciye kubiri n’Ibwirizwa Shingiro.
… (Ingingo ya 236) - FrenchLa Cour Constitutionnelle est saisie par le Président de la République, le Président de l’Assemblée Nationale, le Président du Sénat, par un quart des membres de l’Assemblée Nationale ou un quart des membres du Sénat, ou par l’ombudsman.
Toute personne physique ou morale intéressée ainsi que le Ministère Public peuvent saisir la Cour Constitutionnelle sur la constitutionnalité des lois, soit directement par voie d’action soit indirectement par la procédure d’exception d’inconstitutionnalité invoquée dans une affaire soumise à une autre juridiction.
… (Art. 236)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English(1) The Supreme Court shall, save as otherwise provided in section 122 of this Constitution, have original jurisdiction, to the exclusion of all other Courts—
a. in all matters relating to the enforcement or interpretation of any provision of this Constitution; and
b. where any question arises whether an enactment was made in excess of the power conferred upon Parliament or any other authority or person by law or under this Constitution.
(2) Where any question relating to any matter or question as is referred to in subsection (1) arises in any proceedings in any Court, other than the Supreme Court, that Court shall stay the proceedings and refer the question of law involved to the Supreme Court for determination; and the Court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court. (Sec. 124)