Constitutional Court of Lithuania

Lithuania
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Lithuania
Constitution
Executive President Dalia Grybauskaitė Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis
Legislature Seimas Seimas Palace Speaker: Loreta Graužinienė
Judiciary Constitutional Court Supreme Court
Elections Recent elections President: 2004 2009 2014 Seimas: 2008 2012 2016 Municipal: 2007, 2011, 2015 European: 2004 2009 2014 Referendums Political parties
Administrative divisions Counties Municipalities Elderships
Foreign relations Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Other countries Atlas

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania (in Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinis Teismas) is a special court established by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania of 1992; it began the activities after the adoption of the Law on Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania on February 3, 1993. Since its inception, the Court has been located in the city of Vilnius, Gediminas Avenue.

The main task of the court is judicial review. It may therefore declare the acts of the Seimas unconstitutional and thus render them ineffective. As such, it is somewhat similar to the Supreme Court of the United States. However, it differs from it and other supreme courts in that it is not part of the regular judicial system, but more a unique judicial branch. Most importantly, it does not serve as a regular court of appeals from lower courts or as a sort of “superappellate court” on any violation of national laws.

The Court's palace on Gediminas Avenue

Its jurisdiction is focused on constitutional issues, the integrity of the Constitution. Moreover, it adjudicates on the conformance of the acts of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to the laws, compliance with the Constitution of international agreements, as well as their ratification, and takes a final decision on voting infringements.

Activities

The Court has played a substantial role in the development of the Lithuanian legal system, declaring a number of national laws unconstitutional. On March 31, 2004, it issued a ruling acknowledging the breach of the oath of office by the President Rolandas Paksas. He was removed from office by Seimas following the impeachment on April 6, 2004; this has been the first successful case of impeachment of the head of state in the history of Europe.^[1] The ruling interpreted the Constitution as precluding a person, who was pleaded guilty for the breach of oath, from assuming any future position in public service, which requires taking an oath.

Composition

The Court comprises nine justices, elected by the Seimas, for a nine-year non-renewable term of office. Only Lithuanian citizens of an impeccable reputation, who are trained in law, and who have served for at least 10 years in the legal profession, or in an area of legal education are eligible for appointment. Usually, notable legal scholars and highly experienced judges qualify for the position. The candidates are nominated by the Chairman of the Seimas, the President of Lithuania and the President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Lithuania, 3 persons each. The Seimas appoints the President of the Court from among the justices upon the nomination by the President of the state.

Members

Justices in the 2014-2017 term are: Dainius Žalimas (President of the Court), Vytas Milius, Vytautas Greičius, Danutė Jočienė, Pranas Kuconis, Gediminas Mesonis, Elvyra Baltutytė, Egidijus Šileikis, Algirdas Taminskas.

Historical composition

1993–1996

1996–1999

1999–2002

2002–2005

2005-2008

2008-2011

2011-2014

2014-2017 (current)

See also

• Judiciary
• Rule of law
• Rule According to Higher Law

References

External links

• The official website of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania

Coordinates: 54°41′17″N 25°16′23″E / 54.688°N 25.273°E / 54.688; 25.273

Lithuania articles
History	Early Balts Lithuania proper Grand Duchy 1219–95 Duchy Kingdom Christianization Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Revival and independence Press ban National Revival Great Seimas of Vilnius Act of Independence Wars of Independence Lithuanian–Soviet War Polish–Lithuanian War 1919 Polish coup d'état attempt First Soviet republic 1926 coup d'état WWII and occupations Occupation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union (1940) by Nazi Germany by the Soviet Union (1944) Holocaust Resistance Second Soviet republic Baltic states under Soviet rule (1944–91) Restoration Reform Movement (Sąjūdis) Singing Revolution Baltic Way Act of Re-Establishment January Events August Putsch
Geography	Cities capital Climate Extreme points Flora Forests Lakes Regional parks Rivers Towns
Politics	Administrative divisions counties municipalities elderships Constitution Constitutional Court Elections Foreign relations Government Prime Minister Law Law enforcement Seimas parliament Speaker Political parties President Military Land Force Naval Force Air Force Special Operations Force
Economy	Agriculture Banks Central bank Energy Euro Litas (former currency) Telecommunications Transport airports rail roads seaport Tourism
Society	Demographics Education universities Ethnic minorities Ethnographic regions Language Lithuanians Religion Culture Calendar Cinema Cuisine Cultural history Ethnographic Lithuania Literature Music Mythology Name Public holidays Sport Symbols anthem coat of arms flag
Outline Index Book Category Portal