80. Which court in Germany is competent for the interpretation of the Basic Law?

Answer options

1. Higher Regional Court
2. Local Court
3. Federal Constitutional Court
4. Administrative Court

Explanation

The Federal Constitutional Court is the final authority for interpreting the Basic Law; Article 93 of the Basic Law and Sections 13 et seq. of the Federal Constitutional Court Act define its jurisdiction. It adjudicates, inter alia, abstract and concrete judicial review, constitutional complaints, institutional disputes, and federal–Länder conflicts; its rulings bind all state organs and courts under Section 31 BVerfGG and can nullify statutes. While all courts interpret the Basic Law in adjudication, only the Constitutional Court’s construction is ultimately authoritative. Established in 1951 as the “guardian of the constitution,” it reflects lessons from Weimar and the Nazi dictatorship and secures the supremacy of the Basic Law and effective fundamental-rights protection.