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
'das Verwaltungsgericht' and 'das Verfassungsgericht' are both courts, but they decide on different kinds of questions. An administrative court is responsible when someone files a lawsuit against a decision made by an authority, for example against an official notice. A constitutional court examines whether laws or government actions comply with the constitution. The words can easily be confused because both are long and have to do with government decisions. Memory tip: 'Verwaltung' means public administration in everyday matters; 'Verfassung' means the fundamental rules of a state.
Das Verfassungsgericht prüft, ob das neue Gesetz mit der Verfassung vereinbar ist.
The constitutional court examines whether the new law is compatible with the constitution.
Nach dem abgelehnten Antrag klagt die Familie vor dem Verwaltungsgericht.
After the application was rejected, the family is taking the case to the administrative court.