Interpretation of Constitution

Interpretation of Constitution (1) This Constitution shall be interpreted in accordance with the Bill of Rights and in a manner that— (a) promotes its purposes, values and principles; (b) permits the development of the law; and (c) contributes to good governance. (2) If there is a conflict between the English version of this Constitution and a different language version, the English version shall prevail. (3) A provision of this Constitution shall be construed according to the doctrine that the law is continuously in force and accordingly— (a) a function may be performed, as occasion requires, by the person holding the office to which the function is assigned; (b) a reference to a person holding an office includes a reference to the person lawfully performing the functions of that office at a particular time; (c) a reference to an office, State organ, State institution or locality shall be read with any modification necessary to make it applicable in the circumstances; (d) a reference in a provision applying that provision to another provision shall be read with any modification necessary to make it applicable in the circumstances and any reference to the modified provision shall apply as modified; and By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 106 Constitution of Zambia Act, 1991 (Chapter 1) Zambia (e) a reference to an office, body or organisation, where that office, body or organisation has ceased to exist, is a reference to its successor or to the equivalent office, body or organisation performing the functions. (4) A provision of this Constitution to the effect that a person, an authority or institution is not subject to the direction or control of a person or an authority in the performance of a function, does not preclude a court from exercising jurisdiction in relation to a question as to whether that person, authority or institution has performed the function in accordance with this Constitution or other laws. [Article 267 added by section 8 of Act 2 of 2016]