German NOUN C2 Rank 14376

die Verfassungsbeschwerde

constitutional complaint

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Meanings

die Verfassungsbeschwerde

constitutional complaint

A legal remedy by which a person can complain before the Federal Constitutional Court that public authority has violated one of their basic rights. As a rule, it is admissible only after the normal legal process has been exhausted.

EXAMPLE

Nachdem alle anderen Instanzen seine Klage abgewiesen hatten, legte er Verfassungsbeschwerde in Karlsruhe ein.

After all other courts had dismissed his lawsuit, he filed a constitutional complaint in Karlsruhe.

Usage tips

Word composition

The word is made up of three parts: 'Verfassung' (constitution), the linking 's', and 'Beschwerde' (complaint). So it literally means a 'complaint concerning the constitution'.

EXAMPLE

Eine Verfassungsbeschwerde ist ein wichtiges Instrument des Rechtsstaats.

A constitutional complaint is an important instrument of the rule of law.

Typical verbs

In a legal context, a constitutional complaint is typically used with the verb 'einlegen' (to lodge/file) or 'einreichen' (to submit/file). The court can then 'zurückweisen' (reject) it or 'ihr stattgeben' (uphold it).

EXAMPLE

Die Bürgerinitiative hat angekündigt, Verfassungsbeschwerde einzulegen.

The citizens' initiative has announced that it will file a constitutional complaint.

Context: law and politics

This word belongs to the specialized fields of law and politics. It refers specifically to the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany, which is based in Karlsruhe.

EXAMPLE

Die Erfolgsaussichten einer Verfassungsbeschwerde sind statistisch gesehen gering.

Statistically speaking, the chances of success of a constitutional complaint are low.

Compare with

Berufung Beschwerde Revision

confusable

Verfassungsbeschwerde vs Berufung

appeal / calling / appointment

Berufung and Verfassungsbeschwerde are both legal remedies for challenging a court decision. Berufung generally takes a case to the next higher court and can continue through the ordinary legal process; Verfassungsbeschwerde is submitted to the Federal Constitutional Court because of a possible violation of basic rights and is usually possible only afterward.

Verfassungsbeschwerde

Nach dem erfolglosen Rechtsweg erhob die Klägerin Verfassungsbeschwerde wegen einer möglichen Grundrechtsverletzung.

After the ordinary legal process had been unsuccessful, the plaintiff filed a constitutional complaint because of a possible violation of basic rights.

Berufung

Nach dem erstinstanzlichen Urteil legte die Klägerin Berufung beim nächsthöheren Gericht ein.

After the judgment by the court of first instance, the plaintiff appealed to the next higher court.

Open full word page: Berufung

In real life

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