Different systems and concepts of constitutional

review within the Civil Law tradition in Europe

Video-Conference of

Prof. Thomas FleinerDecember 2nd/3rd

Zacatecas Mexico

Poder Judicial de laFederacion

Estados Unidos Mexicanos

French Revolution

Revolution of legislatureand its mono-poliy forLaw Making

Fabricationof Public lawNapoleon

SubjugationOf the Judiciary toThe Legisla-ture

Revolution ofLegislation

Declaration of Man and

the CitizensAugust 26 1789

Article 6

6.  Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has a right to participate personally, or through his representative, in its foundation. It must be the same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without distinction except that of their virtues and talents.

Consequences

Legislation isThe expression

of the General Will

(Volonté Générale)

AdjudicationIs the application

of the General Will

of the Legislature

Actually four different options inEurope

British Influence (also Human Rights act)German InfluenceFrench influenceNo constitutional review of statutes butEHRC

Fabrication of Public Law

Changing societyPriority of politicsAristocraticJudiciary

Fabrication ofPublic and administrativelaw

Developmentof administrativeLaw JudiciaryWith limitedPowers of theCourts

Reason: Instrument: Consequence:

Consequences

LimitedAdministrative

Judiciary

France

Germany

No constitutionalReview

By legislature

No constitutionalReview by court

decision

Development of Constitutional Review

Theory of Hierarchy of norms

Kelsen

ContradictoryConcepts

Volonté GénéraleGeneral WillRousseau

Influence of theEuropean Convention

onHuman Rights

Constitutional ReviewAfter World War II

By Constitution Makers

General Constitutional Review:

German model

Limited ConstitutionalReview

French model

History Roots:Reichsgericht,Weimar, Austria

Constitutional CouncilHow to overcome theVolonté Générale

Specialized Court withLarge and generalCompetences individualAccess individualAccess

1971 Preamble andHuman Rights Opposi-tion

1958-71: ProtectionExecutif

2010 Protection Citi-zens

European Courtof

Human Rights

European Courtof

Justice

European Courts

DevelopmentOf European HumanRights Law

Motor of the EuropeanIntegration