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CONSTITUTIONAL COURTREPUBLIC OF ANGOLA

GUIDE

Who may request review of a law

The Constitutional Court may declare any provision unconstitutional, with general binding force. Only certain bodies may make that request. A citizen cannot apply directly, but may raise the issue in court proceedings or approach a body that has standing.

Any timeSubsequent review may be requested while the provision is in force.
20 daysTime limit to request prior review, from receipt of the instrument.
45 daysTime limit for the Court to rule in prior review.
PlenaryAll abstract review cases are decided by the Plenary.

Who may apply

ProceedingsWho may applyLegal basis
Prior review
Before an instrument is promulgated, ratified or signed.		President of the Republic; one tenth of the Members of the National Assembly in office (the latter only for instruments submitted for promulgation).Constitution, Art. 228; Law No. 3/08, Art. 21, as amended by Law No. 25/10
Subsequent abstract review
Of provisions already in force.		President of the Republic; one tenth of the Members in office; Parliamentary Groups; Attorney General; Ombudsman; Angolan Bar Association.Constitution, Art. 230; Law No. 3/08, Art. 27, as amended by Law No. 25/10
Unconstitutionality by omission
When the law needed to give effect to the Constitution is missing.		President of the Republic; one fifth of the Members in office; Attorney General.Constitution, Art. 232
What if I am a citizen?

If a provision you consider unconstitutional is applied in proceedings to which you are a party, raise the issue before that court. If the court applies it, an ordinary appeal on grounds of unconstitutionality lies to the Constitutional Court within eight days. You may also put the case to the Ombudsman or the Bar Association, which have standing to request review.

See the appeals guide

Step by step

  1. File the application

    Identify the provision and the instrument, the constitutional rules you consider breached, and your request.

    Law No. 3/08, Art. 6

  2. Admission

    The Registry records the application within 24 hours and the President of the Court decides on admission.

    Law No. 3/08, Arts. 4 and 29

  3. Hearing of the author of the provision

    The body that adopted the provision may respond: five days in prior review, 15 days in subsequent review.

    Law No. 3/08, Art. 16

  4. Plenary decision

    The case is decided by the Plenary of the Constitutional Court.

    Law No. 3/08, Art. 19

  5. Effects

    In prior review, the unconstitutional provision must be removed before promulgation. In subsequent review, the declaration has general binding force.

    Constitution, Arts. 229 and 231

Costs

Abstract review proceedings are free of costs (Law No. 3/08, Art. 15).

Frequently asked questions

Can the Court review a law on its own initiative?
No. The Constitutional Court only reviews a provision when asked by someone with standing, or on appeal from a court decision.
What happens to a provision declared unconstitutional?
In subsequent review, the declaration has general binding force: the provision ceases to have effect for everyone, as a rule from its entry into force, without affecting final judgments (Constitution, Art. 231).

This guide is for information only and does not replace the law or legal advice. Updated October 2026.