Grondwet

Grondwet is the Dutch term for constitution, the highest law in a country. It codifies the basic principles of governance, the structure of the state, and the fundamental rights of citizens. It establishes how government powers are allocated and constrained, sets the rules for elections and the formation of government, and provides the legal basis for protecting civil liberties.

Typical contents include the division of state powers (legislature, executive, judiciary), the head of state or monarchy, the procedure for enacting laws, and the protection of fundamental rights such as equality before the law, freedom of speech, assembly, religion, due process, and privacy. It also outlines the process for constitutional amendments and, in many systems, the mechanism for constitutional review by courts.

Being the supreme law, any ordinary law must conform to it. When conflicts arise, constitutional provisions guide judges and courts. In practice, grondwetten serve as a reference point for the balance between government power and individual rights, and they often reflect the country’s constitutional history and political philosophy.

Examples of countries that use the term grondwet include the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking jurisdictions. Other countries have constitutions with different names and arrangements, but share the same function of outlining the state’s fundamental rules.