Venezuela · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Venezuela, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution
- Supreme; interpreted with binding effect by the Constitutional Chamber.
- Statutes and enabling-law decrees
- The Assembly has repeatedly delegated broad decree powers to the President.
- Codes
- Civil Code (1982), Penal Code, Organic Labour Act (2012), Code of Criminal Procedure.
- Binding interpretation
- Constitutional Chamber rulings bind all courts and organs of state.
The legislative process
Bills are introduced in the National Assembly and require two discussions. The President may return a bill with observations or seek a constitutional opinion from the Supreme Tribunal. Amendment and reform follow distinct routes, both ending in a referendum; a constituent assembly may also be convened.
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