constitutional court
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constitutional court
A court that decides whether laws and government actions comply with a country's constitution.
Die Oppositionspartei kündigte an, gegen das neue Gesetz vor dem Verfassungsgericht zu klagen.
The opposition party announced that it would challenge the new law before the constitutional court.
The word is clearly made up of 'die Verfassung' (the constitution) and 'das Gericht' (the court), connected with an 's'. So it is literally a 'court for the constitution'.
Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hat seinen Sitz in Karlsruhe.
The Federal Constitutional Court is based in Karlsruhe.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with the constitutional court: you can 'anrufen' (appeal to) the court, 'sich an' das Gericht 'wenden' (turn to the court), or 'vor' dem Gericht 'klagen' (bring a case before the court).
Die Regierung muss nun die Entscheidung des Verfassungsgerichts umsetzen.
The government must now implement the constitutional court's decision.
Pay attention to the prepositions and the case: you file a case 'vor dem Verfassungsgericht' (before the constitutional court; dative), but you turn 'an das Verfassungsgericht' (to the constitutional court; accusative).
Die Partei hat vor dem Verfassungsgericht geklagt.
The party brought a case before the constitutional court.
administrative court
Both courts deal with government action, but they examine different questions. The “Verwaltungsgericht” rules on lawsuits against specific decisions made by authorities. The “Verfassungsgericht,” by contrast, examines whether laws or government actions comply with the constitution.
Das Verfassungsgericht prüfte, ob die staatliche Handlung mit der Verfassung übereinstimmte.
The constitutional court examined whether the government action complied with the constitution.
Die Bürgerin klagte vor dem Verwaltungsgericht gegen die Entscheidung der Behörde.
The citizen sued the authority before the administrative court over its decision.
