What Types of Laws Exist and How They Relate to Each Other
The hierarchy runs: Constitution → constitutional laws → laws → presidential decrees → government resolutions → ministerial orders. Any lower-ranking act that contradicts a higher-ranking one has no legal force. The Constitution sits at the top.
Not all laws are equal. There is a clear hierarchy in Kazakhstan's legal system – and the Constitution stands at its peak.
Hierarchy of legal acts
| Level | What it is | Who adopts it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Constitution | The fundamental law | The people (referendum) |
| 2. Constitutional laws | Laws on matters explicitly named in the Constitution | Kurultai (2/3 majority) |
| 3. Laws | The main body of legislation | Kurultai (simple majority) |
| 4. Presidential decrees | Normative acts of the head of state | President |
| 5. Government resolutions | Acts of the executive | Government |
| 6. Ministerial orders | Departmental acts | Ministers |
| 7. Maslikhat decisions | Local normative acts | Maslikhats |
The priority rule
If an act at a lower level contradicts one at a higher level, the higher-ranking act prevails:
- A ministerial order cannot contradict a law.
- A law cannot contradict a constitutional law.
- Nothing can contradict the Constitution.
Why this matters in practice
Suppose a local official cites a departmental order and denies you a right guaranteed by the Constitution. That order has no legal force. You can:
- challenge it in court;
- report it to the Prosecutor's Office;
- apply to the Constitutional Court if the problem lies with the law itself.
Constitutional laws – a special tier
Constitutional laws are adopted on matters explicitly listed in the Constitution: on the President, the Kurultai, the courts, and referendums. Their adoption requires a qualified majority – at least 2/3 of deputies. They are harder to amend than ordinary laws.
Key facts
- The Constitution is the supreme act, at the top of the hierarchy
- A lower-ranking act that contradicts a higher-ranking one has no legal force
- Constitutional laws require a 2/3 majority in the Kurultai
- The hierarchy is a practical tool for defending your rights
Basis for this explainer
Constitutional provisions and primary sources supporting this explanation.
Constitutional provisions
Primary sources
Open sources the editorial team used to verify this explainer. Checked 16 July 2026.
Related articles
Quick links to the constitutional articles behind this explainer.