(Redirected from Basic Law)The term 'basic law' is used in some places as an alternative to "
constitution". A Basic Law is either a
codified constitution, or in countries with
uncodified constitutions, a law given to have constitution powers and effect. The name is usually used to imply an interim or transitory nature, or avoid attempting a claim to being "the highest law", often for religious reasons. In
West Germany, the term 'basic law' (''Grundgesetz'') was used, to indicate that the basic law was provisional until the ultimate
reunification of Germany, whereupon a new
constitution would be adopted. In the event, no constitution was ever adopted, and the
basic law was instead extended throughout the entire German territory.
The
special administrative regions of the
People's Republic of China, namely
Hong Kong and
Macau, have basic laws as their constitutional documents. The basic laws are the highest authority, respectively, in the regions, while the rights of amendment and interpretation rest with the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China.
List of basic laws
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Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany
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Basic Law of Hong Kong
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Basic Laws of Israel
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Basic Law of Macau
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Basic Law of Saudi Arabia
See also
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Fundamental Law
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Fundamental laws of England