Colombia · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Colombia, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution and the bloque de constitucionalidad
- Ratified human-rights treaties share constitutional rank.
- Statutes
- Statutory laws on fundamental rights require an absolute majority and prior constitutional review.
- Codes
- Civil Code, Commercial Code, Substantive Labour Code, General Code of Procedure (2012).
- Precedent
- Constitutional Court doctrine binds; departure requires express and reasoned justification.
The legislative process
Bills need four debates, two in each chamber, in successive committee and plenary stages within a single legislature. Statutory laws on rights must clear the Constitutional Court before promulgation. Amendments proceed by act of Congress over two consecutive ordinary sessions, by referendum, or by constituent assembly; the Court may strike an amendment down for substituting the Constitution rather than reforming it.
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