A court built like a temple: Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court

On the Nile Corniche in the Cairo suburb of Maadi stands a building whose columns recall the temples of ancient Egypt. It is the seat of the Supreme Constitutional Court, the judicial body that decides whether laws and regulations comply with the Constitution.

What the court does

Article 191 of the Constitution describes the court as an independent judicial body based in Cairo. Under Article 192 it alone decides on the constitutionality of laws and regulations. It also interprets legislative texts and settles certain disputes, including disputes between judicial bodies and cases of conflicting final rulings. Article 195 provides that its rulings are published in the Official Gazette and are binding on everyone and on all state authorities.

A short history

The court as it exists was set up by Law No. 48 of 1979, which regulates its structure and jurisdiction, while its name dates from the 1971 Constitution. Before it, constitutional review was handled by a Supreme Court created by Law No. 81 of 1969.

The building combines elements of ancient Egyptian architecture with contemporary design, and is said to take inspiration from the Temple of Luxor.