Mariano Marcos State University COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION Laoag City

A Comparison of the Governments of the Philippines, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Russia
Prepared By: Jayson C. Quinones BSE III-B

Prepared For: Prof. Arnora E. Rasos Professor

March 2012

General Information
The Philippines 1. Official Name 2. Capital 3. Currency (Exchange rate as of Mar 2012) 4. GDP per capita (PPP, 2011, data from the IMF) 5. National Anthem 6. Type of Government Republic of the Philippines Manila Philippine Peso 1 USD = 43.01 PHP $ 4,111 United States of America The United States of America Washington, D.C US Dollar 1 USD = 1 USD $ 48,147 United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland London Pound sterling 1 USD = 0.64 GBP $ 35 974 Germany Federal Republic of Germany Berlin Euro 1 USD = 0.76 EUR $ 37,935 France The French Republic Paris 1 USD = 0.76 EUR Russia The Russian Federation Moscow 1 USD = 29.51 RUB

$ 35,048

$ 16,867

Lupang Hinirang Unitary presidential constitutional republic

Star-Spangled Banner Federal presidential constitutional republic

God Save the Queen (King) Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Das Lied der Deutschen Federal parliamentary constitutional republic

Le Marseillaise Unitary semipresidential constitutional republic

Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii Federal semipresidential republic

The Executive Branch Head of State

1. Title and Holder of Title 2. Means of Election / Selection 3. Qualifications a) Citizenship b) Age c) Residency The Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III Direct vote United States of America President Barack Obama Electoral College United Kingdom The British Monarch Elizabeth II Hereditary succession Germany Bundesprsident (Federa l President) Horst Khler Federal Convention France President Nicolas Sarkozy Direct vote Russia President Dmitry Medvedev Direct vote

A natural-born citizen of their respective countries Aged 40 and above on Aged 35 and above election day Resident for at least 10 Resident for at least 14

None None None

A German citizen Aged 40 and above

A French national Aged 23 and above

A Russian citizen Aged 35 and above Permanently residing in

None

None

d) Others

years prior to the election Literate Registered voter

years prior to the election

None

Born in wedlock of parents who are legitimate heirs to the throne Protestant

Anyone who is entitled to vote in Bundestag elections

Registered voter Must be on the electoral role in their commune of residence Must be in full possession of civic rights

the Russian Federation for at least 10 years -None

4. Term of Office a) Duration of Term b) Number of Terms Allowed 5. Powers

6 years 1

4 years 2

Lifetime Lifetime

5 years 2

5 years 2

4 years 2

Nominate and appoint (with the consent of the Commission on Appointments) the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in the

Appoints the Secretaries of Executive Departments, heads of independent federal commissions, federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices but with the approval of the Senate Appointees for the Vice Presidency must be ratified by the Congress in a majority vote.

Appoint a Prime Minister

Proposes an individual to become a Federal Chancellor Appoints federal judges, federal civil servants and military officers. All such appointments require the counter-signature of either the chancellor or the relevant cabinet minister

Names the Prime Minister, but cannot dismiss him Names other ministers, but can dismiss them with the assent of the Prime minister Names most officials with the assent of the Cabinet

Appoints and dismisses the Cabinet Appoints and removes the high commander of the Armed Forces Appoints justices of federal district courts Appoints and recalls Russias ambassadors with the consultation of the Legislature

Constitution

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces

Approve or veto laws passed by the Congress Issuance of Executive Orders

Approve or veto laws passed by the Congress Issuance of Executive Orders

Grants Royal Assent for a bill to become a law

Approve or veto laws passed by the Bundestag

Promulgates or veto laws The President can request another reading of it in the Parliament

Issue decrees and directives without legislative review Schedule referendums, submit draft laws to the Duma, and promulgating Federal Laws

Grants the following after conviction by final judgement, except in cases of impeachment: pardons cancellation of sentence; reprieves postponeme nt of execution to a later date; and commutatio ns

Grant unlimited pardons and clemencies, except in cases of impeachment

Grant pardons if the person concerned had been convicted under federal jurisdiction

Conclude treaties with

reduction of sentence

Conclude treaties with the approval of 2/3 of the Senate

the approval of 2/3 of the Senate Treaties on foreign trade are ratified by the Houses of the Congress

6. Unique Powers

Contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board Declare martial law or suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus for 60 days, which may be revoked or extended by Congress within 48 hours, or by the Supreme Court within 30 days. -

Head of the Church of England Dissolution of the British Parliament whenever he/she wishes

Dissolution of the Bundestag Checks the constitutionality of legislation

Dissolution of the National Assembly Order the use of nuclear weapons

Declare a national or regional state of martial law as well as a state of emergency

Head of Government
1. Title and Holder of Title 2. Means of Election / Selection The Head of State and the Head of Government is one The Head of State and the Head of Government is one Prime Minister David Cameron Appointed by the Monarch Bundeskanzler (Federal Chancellor) Angela Merkel Proposed by the President, elected by members of the Bundestag without debate Prime Minister Franois Fillon Nominated by the majority party or coalition in the National Assembly and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Appointed by the President with the consent of the Duma

appointed by the President for an indefinite term Qualifications a) Citizenshi p b) Age c) Residenc e d) Others 4. Term of Office a. Duration of Term b. Number of Terms 5. Powers 3. The Head of State and the Head of Government is one No legal specifications None A Russian citizen None

The Head of State and the Head of Government is one

Depends on the Queens discretion or until resignation Creates a Cabinet composed with the support of the House of Commons Obtain the appointment, dismissal or nominal resignation of any other minister

5 years 2 Determines the Federal Cabinet Recommends the appointment and dismissal of Cabinet Ministers Set the number of ministers and dictate their duties

5 years 2 Recommends Ministers to the President Sets out Ministers' duties and responsibilities Manages the daily affairs of government Issues decrees

Depends on the Presidents discretion or until resignation submits to the President proposals on the structure and functions of the central institutions of the executive branch (e.g. ministries and federal agencies); nominates the vice prime ministers, federal ministers and other officers and presents them to the President distributes duties among members of the Government

The Head of State and the Head of Government is one

Holds power over the deployment and disposition of British Responsible for national defense.

6. Unique Powers

forces, and the declaration of war with the Secretary of State for Defence formally advises the Sovereign on the appointment of Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England

Issues formal policy guidelines which serve as basis for introduction of policies at the ministerial level

Heads the sessions of the Government and its Presidium where he has the decisive vote Represents the Government as an institution in foreign relations and inside the country signs the acts of the Government

The Vice-Presidency
1. Holder of Title 2. Means of Election / Selection 3. Qualifications a) Citizenship b) Age c) Residency The Philippines Jejomar Binay Direct vote United States of America Joe Biden Electoral College United Kingdom N/A Germany France Russia

d) Others

A natural-born citizen of their respective countries Aged 40 and above on Aged 35 and above election day Resident for at least 10 Resident for at least 14 years prior to the years prior to the election election Literate None Registered voter 6 years 4 years

N/A

4. Term of Office e) Duration of

N/A

Term f) Number of Terms Allowed 5. Powers

Unlimited

Replace the President in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President. Can be appointed by President of the the President to any Senate position in the Presides over counting Cabinet without and presentation of confirmation of the the votes of the Commission on Electoral College Appointments

N/A

The Cabinet
Function Collective Name Economy The Philippines Cabinet of the Philippines Department of Agrarian Reform Virgilio De Los Reyes Department of Agriculture Proceso Alcala United States of America Cabinet of the United States of America United Kingdom Cabinet of the United Kingdom Germany Cabinet of Germany France The French Cabinet Russia Council of Ministers

Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner

Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing Bruno La Maire

Ministry of Agriculture Yelena Borisovna Skrynnik

Department of Budget Management Florencio Abad

Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts, Civil Service, & State

Department of Energy Jose Rene Almendras

Department of Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey

Reform & Govt. Spokesman Valerie Pecresse

Ministry of Energy Sergey Ivanovich Shmatko

Department of Finance Cesar Purisima Department of Tourism Ramon Jimenez Department of Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo

Department of Treasury Timothy Geitner

Her Majesty's Treasury George Osborne

Federal Ministry of Finance

Wolfgang Schuble

Ministry of Finance Anton Germanovich Siluanov

Department of Commerce John Bryser

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Vincent Cable

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology

Philipp Rsler

Ministry of Economy, Industry and Employment Francois Baroin

Ministry of Economic Development Elvira Sakhipzadovna Nabiullina

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebel Department of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan

Ministry of Industry & Trade

Environmental Management

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Ramon Paje

Department of Interior Ken Salazar

Department For International Development Andrew Mitchell Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Caroline Spelman

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Norbert Rttgen

Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing Nathalie KosciuskoMorizet

Ministry of Natural Resources & Ecology Yuriy Petrovich Trutnev

Government

Department of Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo

Department for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles

Ministry of the Interior Claude Guant

Ministry of Internal Affairs Rashid Gumarovich Nurgaliyev Ministry of Regional Development Viktor Fedorovich BASARGIN

Ministry of Towns Maurice Leroy

Ministry of Sports David Douillet

Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies, & Natural Disasters Sergey Kuzhugetovich

Law Enforcement

Department of Justice Leila de Lima

Attorney General's Office Dominic Grieve Ministry of Justice Kenneth Clarke Department of Health Andrew Lansley

Federal Ministry of Justice Sabine LeutheusserSchnarrenberger

Ministry of Justice Michel Mercier

Shoygu Ministry of Justice Aleksandr Vladimirovich Konovalov

Social Welfare

Department of Health Enrique Ona

Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius

Federal Ministry of Health Daniel Bahr

Ministry of Health & Social Development Tatyana Alekseyevna Golikova Minister of Labour, Social Relations, Family and Solidarity Xavier Bertrand

Department of Social Welfare and Development Corazon Soliman

Department for Education Michael Gove

Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Kristina Schrder Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen

Department of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Baldoz

Department of Labor Hilda Solis

Department of Education Armin Luistro

Federal Ministry of Education and Research Annette Schavan

Ministry of National Education, Youth, and Sport Luc Chatel Ministry of Higher Education and Research Laurent Wauquiez

Ministry of Education & Science Andrey Aleksandrovich Fursenko Ministry of Culture Aleksandr Alekseyevich

Avdeyev Ministry of Sport, Tourism, & Youth Policy Vitaliy Leontyevich Mutko

Department of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki

Department for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith Department for Culture, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt

Ministry Of Communications & Mass Media Igor Olegovich Shchegolev Others Department of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario Department of State Hillary Clinton Foreign and Commonwealth Office William Hague Federal Foreign Office Guido Westerwelle Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Jupp Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov Ministry of Defense Anatoliy Eduardovich Serdyukov

Department of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin

Department of Defense Leon Panetta

Federal Ministry of Defence Thomas de Maizire Federal Ministry of the Interior Hans-Peter Friedrich

Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano Department of

Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs Grard Longuet

Science and Technology Mario Montejo Department of Public Works and Highways Rogelio Singson Department of Transportation and Communications Manuel Roxas II Department of Transportation Ray LaHood Department for Transport Justine Greening Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development Peter Ramsauer Ministry of Transportation Igor Yevgenyevich Levitin

Government Equalities Office Theresa May Ministry of Culture and Communication Frdric Mitterrand

The Government of the Philippines

The Government of the United States of America

The Government of Germany

The Government of France

The Government of Russia

The Legislative Branch The Upper House

1. Name The Philippines Senate United States of America Senate United Kingdom House of Lords Germany Bundesrat France Snat (Senate) Russia Sovet Federatsii (Federation Council of Russia) Chosen by territorial politicians

2. Means of Election / Selection of its Members

Direct vote

Direct vote

The Queen selects from persons recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission

Delegated by their respective state government

Elected by the: Members of the National Assembly for the department members of the dpartement's General Council and Regional Council. Delegates from municipal councils A French national

3. Qualifications a. Citizenship

A natural-born citizen of the Philippines

A US citizen for at least 9 years

b.Age c. Residency

d.Others

Aged 35 and above A resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years prior to the elections

Aged 30 and above A resident of the state he intends to represent

Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland or any Commonwealth nation Aged 21 and above None

N/A

A Russian citizen

Aged 30 and above None

Aged 30 and above Permanently residing in the Russian Federation for at least 10 years

Literate Registered voter

None

Not a subject of the Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (in England and Wales), not adjudged bankrupt (in Northern Ireland), or does not have a sequestered estate (in Scotland) Not serving a prison term for high treason Unlimited; stays until a replacement is selected by the state government

Registered voter Must be in full possession of civic rights

-None

4. Term of Office a. Duration of Term b.Number of Terms Allowed b. Powers

6 years 2

6 years Unlimited

Lifetime Lifetime

6 years Unlimited

4 years 2

Passage of laws

Confirmation of presidential appointments

Passage of laws

Venue where the Federal Government must present its legislative initiatives before it can pass a proposal to the Bundestag

Approves or rejects legislation

Further debates and approves bills previously approved by the State Duma Approving the president's nomination of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, of the Highest Arbitration

Election of the president in case of a tie Conviction of impeachment

Tries impeachment cases for federal officials referred to it by the House

Court of the Russian Federation Approving the president's nomination of the Attorney General of the Russian Federation Appointment of Deputy Chairman and half of the auditors of the Accounting Chamber

Official concurrence on a treaty Designation of the vice-president as acting president

Ratification of treaties

Impeachment of the Russian president

Overriding a presidential veto

Scrutinizes government actions and policies

Veto legislation passed by the Bundestag

Scrutinizes government policies Votes Constitutional amendments Represents counties, districts,

and states Specializes in foreign affairs, including European integration

Approval of the Presidents decree to declare martial law and state of emergency Deciding on the possibility of using the Armed Forces outside Russias territory

The Lower House

1. Name 2. Means of Election / Selection of its Members The Philippines House of Representatives Direct vote United States of America House of Representatives Direct vote United Kingdom House of Commons The Queen selects from persons recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission Germany Bundestag Direct vote France Assemble nationale (National Assembly) Indirect universal election Russia Gosudarstvennaya Duma (State Duma) Direct vote

3.

Qualifications a. Citizenship

A natural-born citizen of the Philippines

A US citizen for at least 7 years

Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland or

N/A

A French national

A Russian citizen

b. Age c. Residency Aged 25 and above on the day of the election A resident of the district he wants to represent for at least 1 year prior to election day Literate Registered voter in the district he intends to represent Aged 25 and above A resident of the state of the district he intends to represent

any Commonwealth nation Aged 18 and above None

Aged 18 and above

Aged 23 and above

Aged 21 and above

N/A

None

d. Others

None

Not a subject of the Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (in England and Wales), not adjudged bankrupt (in Northern Ireland), or does not have a sequestered estate (in Scotland) Not serving a prison term for high treason 4 years

Registered voter Must be in full possession of civic rights

-None

Term of Office i. Duration of Term ii. Number of Terms Allowed b. Powers

4.

3 years 3

2 years Unlimited

Lifetime Lifetime

5 years Unlimited

5 years Unlimited (?)

Pass an articles of impeachment

Impeachment of officials

Venue

Bringing charges against the President of the Russian Federation for his impeachment Approves bills, to be forwarded to the Federal Assembly

Passage of laws

Debating and passing of laws

Passes laws along with the Bundesrat Assessing and amending the

government's legislative program Enacts federal legislation

later

Election of the president in case of a tie Confirmation of an appointment to the vice-Presidency by the President Designation of the Vice-President as acting President

Elect the President in case of an Electoral College tie

Elects the Chancellor

Consent to the appointment of the Russian Prime Minister

Overriding a Presidential veto

Initiate revenue bills

Scrutinizing government policies

Exercises oversight of the executive branch on issues of both substantive policy and routine administration

Scrutinizing government policies

Enabling the Government to raise taxes

Hearing annual reports from the Government of the Russian Federation on the results of its work, including on issues raised by the State Duma

Veto legislation passed by the Bundestag

Overthrow the government (of the Prime Minister and other ministers) by a vote of noconfidence

Decides the issue of confidence in the Government of the Russian Federation

Appointment and dismissal of the Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia Appointment and dismissal of the Chairman and half of the auditors of the Accounts Chamber Appointment and dismissal of the Commissioner for Human Rights, who shall act according to federal constitutional law; Announcement of amnesty

Philippine Legislative Process

Legislation can start in either House. First, a member of Congress must introduce the bill. The bill undergoes First Reading, referred to one of the Committees (in the house where the bill was files), undergoes Second and Third Reading. When the bill passes the Third Reading, it goes to the other House of Congress, where it will undergo the same procedure. There may be amendments to the original bill; these must be reconsidered until the approval of both houses of Congress is gained. The bill then goes to the President for approval / veto.

American Legislative Process

British Legislative Process

German Legislative Process

French Legislative Process

1. Statute legislation may be proposed by the government (council of ministers), or by members of Parliament. In the first case, it is a projet de loi; in the latter case, aproposition de loi. All projets de loi must undergo compulsory advisory review by the Conseil d'tat before being submitted to parliament. Since 2009, the bill submitted to Parliament must also come with a study of the possible impact of the law: other possible options, interactions with European law, economical, social, financial and environmental consequences. Propositions de loi cannot increase the financial load of the state without providing for funding.

2. Projets de loi start in the house of the government's choice (except in some narrow cases). Propositions de loi start in the house where they originated. After the house has amended and voted on the text, it is sent to the other house, which can also amend it. If the houses do not choose to adopt the text in identical terms, it is sent before a commission made of equal numbers of members of both houses, which tries to harmonize the text. If it does not manage to do so, the National Assembly can vote the text and have the final say on it (except for laws related to the organization of the Senate). 3. The law is then sent to the President of France for signature. At this point, the President of France, the speaker of either house or a delegation of 60 deputies or 60 senators can ask for the text to undergo constitutional review before being put into force; it is then sent before the Constitutional Council. The President can also, only once per law and with the countersigning of the Prime minister, send the law back to parliament for another review. Otherwise, the President must sign the law. After being countersigned by the Prime minister and the concerned ministers,it is then sent to the Journal Officiel for publication.

Russian Legislative Process

The legislative process in Russia includes three hearings in the State Duma, then approvals by the Council of the Federation and the President. 1. Laws adopted by the State Duma are passed to the Council of the Federation for review. A federal law is considered passed by the Council of the Federation if more than half of its deputies vote for it or if within 14 days it has not been considered. In the event the State Duma disagrees with the decision of the Federation Council, a federal law is considered adopted if, in the second voting, at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies to the State Duma vote for it. 2. Then, however, laws must be considered by the Council of the Federation. These are laws that: a. deal with the issues of the federal budget, federal taxes and duties, financial, monetary, credit and customs regulations and money emission; b. ratification and denunciation of the international treaties; and, c. the status and protection of the state border and issues of war and peace. 3. The adopted federal law is sent to the president. If the president rejects a federal law the State Duma and the Federation Council again consider the law. If, during the second hearings, the federal law is approved in its earlier draft by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of deputies of the Council of the Federation and the State Duma, it must be signed by the president.

The Judicial Branch Judges and Justices

1. Nature of Appointment The Philippines Appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments in the Congress. United States of America Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate United Kingdom Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by The Queen by the issue of letters patent, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to whom a name is recommended by a special selection commission.

Germany Nominees for the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsger icht) are elected by the Bundestag and Bundesrat Candidates for the Federal Administrative Court are selected by an electoral committee and appointed by the Federal President Candidates for the Federal Court of Justice are elected by an electoral committee selected by the Bundestag

France Appointed by the President and approved by the Conseil Suprieur de la Magistrature (High Council of the Judiciary)

Russia Appointed by the President and approved by the Federal Council

2. Qualifications a. Citizenship

A natural-born citizen of the Philippines

N/A

N/A

A German citizen

A French national

A Russian citizen

b.Age

For Supreme Court justices, at least forty (40) years of age. For RTC Judges, at least 35 years of age For MTC judges, at least 30 years of age

N/A

N/A

N/A

c. Practice of Law For Supreme Court justices, at least 15 years For RTC judges, at least 10 years For MTC judges, at least 5 years

Justices of the Supreme Court are usually appointed from those holding high judicial office either in the English Court of Appeal or in the equivalent courts in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Must have held a Supreme Court qualification for at least 15 years Lord Justices of Appeal must have a seven year high Court Qualification or be an existing High Court Judge High Court Judges must have had the right to practice in the High Court for at least seven years or been a Circuit Judge for at

None

Aged 40 and above for would-be Constitutional Judges Aged 35 and above for applicants in the Supreme Arbitration Court and Supreme Court Applicants for the Constitutional Court must be a lawyer for at least 15 years Applicants for the Supreme Arbitration Court and Supreme Court must be a lawyer for at least 10 years

d.Others

least two years Circuit Judges must either have had rights of audience in the Crown or County Court for at least seven years or have been a Recorder Recorder must have practised as a barrister for at least seven years District Judges must have a five year general qualification as either a barrister or a solicitor.

To become a Supreme Court justice, the applicant must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.

Each nominee undergoes confirmation hearings conducted by the Senate Judiciary Committee No specific requirements have been set by the

Constitution, but members of the Congress and the Department of Justice have set their own informal criteria

Makes clear that he will at all times uphold the free democratic order within the meaning of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) Mastery of requisite social skills

Law graduates must take the First State Examination Successful applicants undergo a statesponsored 30-month training Students take the Second State Examination. Rankings in this examination will serve as the basis for students applications in a particular Land Civil servants with appropriate qualifications and Professors are also qualified

Law practitioners for at least 8 years may take a competitive examination and short training organized by the Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature (Judicial Training School)

Legal Education

3. Term of Office a. Limitation

They hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy (70) years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office.

They serve no fixed term they serve until their death, retirement, or conviction by the Senate and they can only be removed through impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate.

All judges serve for life, except for members of the Constitutional Court, who serve for 12year terms

Judges may be appointed on probation, for a specified term, or for life, depending on the provisions of federal and state law

The Courts
1. Supreme Court The Philippines Supreme Court of the Philippines The highest court in the land and court of final appeal United States of America Supreme Court of the United States Highest court in the land and court of final appeal United Kingdom The Supreme Court Highest court in the land and court of final appeal Germany NOTE: These courts are the five Federal Courts set forth in the German Basic Law Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) Court of last resort in all matters of criminal and private law France Cour de cassation (Court of Cassation) Court of final appeal for civil and criminal matters Russia The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Court of last resort in Russian administrative law, civil law and criminal law cases

Deals with cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all other cases which under the rules of court. Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari as the law or the Rules of court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts

Deals with matters pertaining to the federal government, disputes between states, and interpretation of the United States Constitution.

Concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance

Bundesverfassungsgerich t (Federal Constitutional Court) Hears cases of constitutional violation filed before the Court Violations of election laws may be brought before the court by political institution or any involved voter.

Challenging of individual acts of the Federal Assembly and decrees of the President of Russia and the Government of Russia

Can declare legislation or executive action made at any level of the government as unconstitutional, nullifying the law and creating precedent for future law and decisions.

Hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance

Bundesfinanzhof (Federal Fiscal Court) Predominantly adjudicates in legal remedy procedures upon the legality of assessments of taxes and duties, furthermore about child allowance, investment allowance and certain concerns regarding the

Challenging of delegated legislation of governmental agencies Termination of political parties and all-Russian NGOs Challenging of actions of Central Electoral Commission of Russia when organizing president ial elections, State Duma elections or referendum

professional law for tax consultants.

Bundessozialgericht (Federal Social Court) Secure legal uniformity and the development of the law Exercise jurisdiction over statutory insurance systems which comprise pension, accident, health, unemployment, and long-term care insurance; state compensation for damage to health, namely compensation for members of the armed forces and the victims of violence; child raising allowance, matters involving welfare benefits Bundesarbeitsgericht (Federal Labor Court) Labour Courts do not

only resolve disputes between employees and employers over employment rights, but also similar disputes arising from contractual relationships of development aid workers, volunteers and disabled persons working in sheltered workshops.

2. Appellate Courts

Court of Appeals Reviews the decisions and orders of the Regional Trial Courts nationwide, Court of Tax Appeals, as well as the awards, judgments, final orders or resolutions of, or authorized by 21 Quasi-Judicial Agencies

Court of Appeals Decides appeals from the district courts within its federal judicial circuit, and in some instances from other designated federal courts and administrative agencies Serves as the final arbiter on most federal cases.

Court of Appeal Composed of two divisions: The Civil Division, which hears appeals from: The three divisions of the High Court (Chancery, Queen's Bench and Family Division) From the County Courts across England and Wales,

NOTE: The Supreme Courts act as appellate courts at the same time

Cour d'appel The Court is divided into a number of divisions or courts: social security, business, general civil, and criminal. This is the only court that requires the intervention of a solicitor or case attorney (avou) to prepare and manage your case and to act as an intermediary between the barrister and the appellant or appellee.

NOTE: The Supreme Court act as an appellate court at the same time

From certain Tribunals such as the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal and the Social Security Commissioner s. The Criminal Division, which hears appeals from the Crown Court.

3. Constitutional Court

The Supreme Court decides on matters related to the Constitution

Contrary to popular belief, no British Constitution exists not because it is unwritten but because it is composed of several documents, statutes, court judgments and treatises.

Bundesverfassungsgerich t (Federal Constitutional Court) Hears cases of constitutional violation filed before the Court Violations of election laws may be brought before the court by political institution or any involved voter.

Counseil Constitutionnel (Constitutional Council) Rule on whether proposed statutes conform with the Constitution, after they have been voted by Parliament and before they are signed into law by

Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation Protect the Constitution (in Russian constitutional law this function is known as "constitutional control" or "constitutional supervision") and

4. Economic Court

Court of Tax Appeals Decides on cases related to the National Internal Revenue Code and Tariff and Customs Code and those involving local and real property taxes

N/A

N/A

Bundesfinanzhof (Federal Fiscal Court) Predominantly adjudicates in legal remedy procedures upon the legality of assessments of taxes and duties, furthermore about child allowance, investment allowance and certain concerns regarding the professional law for tax consultants.

the President of the Republic Individual citizens party to a trial or lawsuit can also ask for the Council to review whether the law applied in the case is constitutional. Cours de Comptes (Court of Auditors) Conducts financial and legislative audits of most public institutions and some private institutions, including the central Government, national public corporations, social security agencies, and public services

deal with a few kinds of disputes where it has original jurisdiction

5. Labor Court

N/A

N/A

Employment Tribunal Hears cases related to unfair dismissal, redundancy payments and employment

Bundesarbeitsgericht (Federal Labor Court) Labour Courts do not only resolve disputes between employees and employers over employment rights,

Conseil de Prud'hommes (Industrial Tribunal) First-instance labour court whose unique feature is its strictly joint

Supreme Arbitration (Commercial) Court Superior judicial body for the resolution of economic disputes and other cases examined by arbitration courts, it exercises judicial supervision over their activity in the procedural forms envisaged by law and issues explanations on matters of judicial practice N/A

discrimination

but also similar disputes arising from contractual relationships of development aid workers, volunteers and disabled persons working in sheltered workshops.

composition, with half of its members (judges) elected by employees and half by employers. It has exclusive competence for dealing with individual disputes arising from the contract of employment.

6. Social Court

N/A

Bundessozialgericht (Federal Social Court) Secure legal uniformity and the development of the law Exercise jurisdiction over statutory insurance systems which comprise pension, accident, health, unemployment, and long-term care insurance; state compensation for damage to health, namely compensation for members of the armed forces and the victims of violence; child raising allowance, matters

N/A

involving welfare benefits 7. Anti-Corruption Court Sandiganbayan Exercises jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined by law. N/A

References:
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