Constitutions Around the World
How old each country's constitution is, and when each country set up a constitutional court, on one chart and one map.
Part of the comparative law toolkit.
How Old Is Each Country's Constitution?
77 countries
The year each country's current constitution was adopted. A constitution that has been amended keeps its original year; a new one replaces the old.
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When Constitutional Courts Were Founded
36 countries
The year each country first set up a specialised court or council to decide constitutional questions. Countries where ordinary courts decide them, such as the United States, are not shown.
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Read this first
These charts show a single number for each country, from our own knowledge: the year something first happened, or the time the law sets for it. Where a rule differs by region, by type of case or by group of people, the note says so. Rules are reformed from time to time, so check the current law. It is general information, not legal advice.
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