Egypt's supreme law is its written Constitution. On 25 January 2011, the Egyptian revolution resulted in the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for decades. The Egyptian Constitution of 1971, which was in place under the regime of Mubarak, was suspended following the revolution.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over the State's affairs and adopted the Constitutional Declaration of 2011, which was intended to serve as the fundamental law of the country until the enactment of a permanent constitution and the election of a President.

The presidential elections took place in May and June 2012 and resulted in the election of President Mohamed Morsi. Under the regime of President Morsi, a constituent assembly, composed of a majority of Islamists, drafted a new constitution which was passed by referendum in December 2012.