lawconstitutional

Constitutional law is a branch of law that concerns the structure and powers of the state, the division of authority among different levels of government, and the protection of fundamental rights. It governs how governments are organized, how they exercise authority, and how individuals and groups can challenge governmental action.

Constitutions serve as the supreme law of a country. They establish the basic institutions—such as the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary—and set the rules for how those institutions operate. They may outline fundamental rights and liberties, define procedures for lawmaking and governance, and specify the processes required to amend the document. In some jurisdictions, constitutional rules are unwritten or implied by conventions in addition to written provisions.

Constitutional law often centers on constitutional review, the process by which courts interpret and apply the constitution to statutes, regulations, and executive actions. This review protects constitutional rights and maintains limits on governmental power. The design and reach of constitutional review vary: some systems vest centralized authority in a dedicated constitutional court, while others rely on ordinary courts to adjudicate constitutional questions as they arise.

Key topics within constitutional law include federalism and the division of powers between national and subnational governments, the allocation of governmental competencies, and the protection of civil rights and liberties such as due process and equal protection. The field also covers techniques of constitutional interpretation—such as textual, originalist, purposive, and living-constitution approaches—and the formal mechanisms for constitutional amendment or revision.