The Chief Justice has certified as a constitutional matter, a case involving a 15-year-old boy who was charged with defilement for consensual sexual relationship with a girl of 13.

The boy was arrested earlier this year when the girl’s parents reported the matter to the police.

The case will now be heard before a panel of three judges who will determine the constitutionality of the offence of defilement to the extent that it applies to adolescents’ consensual and non-exploitative sexual relationships.

The Constitutional Court is also expected to rule whether it is unlawful when two underage people consent to have sex.