Suchergebnisse

This article deals with the problems of the sens of the application of the concept of constitutional identity in constitutional jurisprudence. The author of this article analyzes the notion of constitutional identity, elaborated in constitutional jurisprudence, which is linked with the distinction in the constitutional system the hard core of values and principles, which are traditional for such state and which are no changeable or have special protection against amendments. The elements of constitutional identity play tha role of "supporting structures" of the constitutional system and their change will be a change of this all constitutional system. The emergence of the new notion always provokes discussions. Representatives of legal doctrine discuss about using of this concept, its importance and its mission. They analyse from different points the decisions of Constitutional Courts of Germany, France, Belgium, Poland or the Czech Republic and other states, in which this concept is used. Lithuanian Constitutional Court with two decisions of 26 January 2014 and 11 July 2014 joined this groupe of constitutional courts. The formation of this notion is related to the concept of the axiological system of the constitution and its axiological interpretation. It should be noted that the added value of this new concept is linked to the strengthening of constitutional review of constitutional amendments and protection of the model of relations between constitutional system and European Union law. Constitutional identity accomplishes internal and external functions. The purpose of internal functions (function) is protection of the constitution against the anticonstitutional amendments that can destroy the all constitutional system. It is the function of conciliation between stability of the constitutional system (the constitutional systeme must remain itself) and dynamics (the necessary changes). The external functions (function) protect the constitutional system against external invasions to the constitutional system, and specifically for the field of european integration this function means protection of the balance in the functioning of the model of interaction between the national constitutional system and European Union law.

This article deals with the problems of the sens of the application of the concept of constitutional identity in constitutional jurisprudence. The author of this article analyzes the notion of constitutional identity, elaborated in constitutional jurisprudence, which is linked with the distinction in the constitutional system the hard core of values and principles, which are traditional for such state and which are no changeable or have special protection against amendments. The elements of constitutional identity play tha role of "supporting structures" of the constitutional system and their change will be a change of this all constitutional system. The emergence of the new notion always provokes discussions. Representatives of legal doctrine discuss about using of this concept, its importance and its mission. They analyse from different points the decisions of Constitutional Courts of Germany, France, Belgium, Poland or the Czech Republic and other states, in which this concept is used. Lithuanian Constitutional Court with two decisions of 26 January 2014 and 11 July 2014 joined this groupe of constitutional courts. The formation of this notion is related to the concept of the axiological system of the constitution and its axiological interpretation. It should be noted that the added value of this new concept is linked to the strengthening of constitutional review of constitutional amendments and protection of the model of relations between constitutional system and European Union law. Constitutional identity accomplishes internal and external functions. The purpose of internal functions (function) is protection of the constitution against the anticonstitutional amendments that can destroy the all constitutional system. It is the function of conciliation between stability of the constitutional system (the constitutional systeme must remain itself) and dynamics (the necessary changes). The external functions (function) protect the constitutional system against external invasions to the constitutional system, and specifically for the field of european integration this function means protection of the balance in the functioning of the model of interaction between the national constitutional system and European Union law.

The article analyses the legal significance of the application of the concept of the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union as a constitutional value in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania. This idea is only acceptable in the context of the concept of a Constitution as an act establishing and protecting a specific system of values. It also reflects the openness of Lithuania's constitutional law to international law and European integration. The full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union is treated by the Lithuanian Constitutional Court as an element of the principle of the geopolitical orientation of the Lithuanian state, which is closely interrelated with the fundamental constitutional values (state independence, democracy and republic, etc.). Therefore, it is in the so-called "constitutional core", between the fundamental constitutional principles and values on which the constitutional system is based. This is one of the peculiarities of our constitutional system. Recognition of the status of a constitutional value presupposes the problems for Constitutional Court in appreciating the content and significance of this value and its relationship with other constitutional values. The balancing of the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union as a constitutional value with other constitutional values is at the centre of constitutional interpretation. Moreover, it also relates to the problems of the axiological interpretation of the Constitution. The full membership of the Republic of Lithuania as a value is one of the elements of the constitutional principle of geopolitical orientation, which arises in constitutional jurisprudence as an element of constitutional identity. One of the aspects of the use of the concept of constitutional identity is the opposition of constitutional and European identity (constitutional identity is understood in this case as an instrument of self-defence against excessive integration). The Lithuanian constitutional concept, which declares that the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union is a constitutional value and an element of constitutional identity, means that in the analysis of the legal problems of the interaction of the national and European Union legal systems, we must not simply view relations as "our own" and "foreign", but the interaction between "our own" and "our own from a wider perspective". This concept means that the constitutional identity cannot only be treated as an instrument for protecting the national system, but also as a measure for the well-founded establishment of balance between the national and EU legal systems.

The article analyses the legal significance of the application of the concept of the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union as a constitutional value in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania. This idea is only acceptable in the context of the concept of a Constitution as an act establishing and protecting a specific system of values. It also reflects the openness of Lithuania's constitutional law to international law and European integration. The full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union is treated by the Lithuanian Constitutional Court as an element of the principle of the geopolitical orientation of the Lithuanian state, which is closely interrelated with the fundamental constitutional values (state independence, democracy and republic, etc.). Therefore, it is in the so-called "constitutional core", between the fundamental constitutional principles and values on which the constitutional system is based. This is one of the peculiarities of our constitutional system. Recognition of the status of a constitutional value presupposes the problems for Constitutional Court in appreciating the content and significance of this value and its relationship with other constitutional values. The balancing of the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union as a constitutional value with other constitutional values is at the centre of constitutional interpretation. Moreover, it also relates to the problems of the axiological interpretation of the Constitution. The full membership of the Republic of Lithuania as a value is one of the elements of the constitutional principle of geopolitical orientation, which arises in constitutional jurisprudence as an element of constitutional identity. One of the aspects of the use of the concept of constitutional identity is the opposition of constitutional and European identity (constitutional identity is understood in this case as an instrument of self-defence against excessive integration). The Lithuanian constitutional concept, which declares that the full membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union is a constitutional value and an element of constitutional identity, means that in the analysis of the legal problems of the interaction of the national and European Union legal systems, we must not simply view relations as "our own" and "foreign", but the interaction between "our own" and "our own from a wider perspective". This concept means that the constitutional identity cannot only be treated as an instrument for protecting the national system, but also as a measure for the well-founded establishment of balance between the national and EU legal systems.

The author analyses the influence of the Constitutional Court on a system of democratic governance. The Constitutional Court is usually treated an institution, which exercises control over the administrative power and attempts to protect a person from unjustified interference in his rights as well as to maintain the balance of the institutions of administration. The power of the Constitutional Court lies in its right to interpret the Constitution. Nowadays everybody acknowledges that the constitutional justice is a necessary element of the constitutional democracy when actions of the administrative power are supervised in regard to their conformity with the Constitution, which is the most important legal act of civil society's life. Nonetheless, assessors of the Constitutional Court's activity are constantly debating on issues as: how wide is Constitutional Court's discretion to interpret the text of the Constitution? Don't the justices of the Constitutional Court attempt to replace the Constitution, which was approved by the Nation, with their own Constitution; is such evolution of the Constitution, in itself, constitutional? It is therefore necessary to make clear exactly which conception of democracy has proved compatible with the existence of a constitutional justice. The science of constitutional law has to explain the essence of this phenomenon as well as limits of the power of the Constitutional Court to interpret the Constitution. ; Straipsnyje analizuojama konstitucinio teismo veiklos įtaka demokratinei valdymo sistemai. Tai ypač aktualu visuomenėms, neturinčioms demokratinės bendrų reikalų tvarkymo tradicijos. Šiandien pripažįstama, kad konstitucinė justicija yra esminis konstitucinės demokratijos institutas, kad valdžios veiksmai turi būti kontroliuojami konstitucijos, svarbiausio pilietinės tautos gyvenimo akto, požiūriu. Konstitucinio Teismo veiklos vertintojai Lietuvoje ginčijasi: kokia laisvę Konstitucinis Teismas turi interpretuodamas Konstitucijos tekstą, ar Konstitucinio Teismo teisėjai savo jurisprudencijos suformuluota konstitucine doktrina nepakeičia tautos aprobuotos Konstitucijos? Tiesioginis Konstitucijos taikymas neatsiejamas nuo Konstitucijos interpretacijos. Interpretacija visados yra kūrybiškos, o ne mechaninės veiklos rezultatas. "Jurisprudencinės konstitucijos" susiformavimas atspindi konstitucinės praktikos brandumą, konstitucionalizmo, konstitucinės demokratijos būtino elemento, įsitvirtinimą ir stiprėjimą valstybiškai organizuotos visuomenės gyvenime.

In this article the author suggests to analyse the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania in the wider context of constitutional development. Such analysis could help to comprehend the true meaning of constitutional regulation of this country and to foresee the tendencies and prospects of constitutional development. The constitutionalism in the world, in Europe, in the Central and Eastern Europe is likened to three dimensions which clarify various characteristics of a national constitution. The author of the article deals with the interrelations of two common traits in the European legal systems (the constitutionalisation of Law and influence of the law of the European Union) to the future development of constitutionalism as well. This tendency compels one to think about granting a new mission to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court must become true protector of the boundary between the national law and that of the European Union.

Article 4 (2) of the Treaty of the European Union, in its version following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, proclaims that the European Union shall respect the national identities of its Member States, inherent in their political and constitutional fundamental structures, inclusive of regional and local self-government. This clause can be compared with the third paragraph of the preamble of the Lithuanian Constitutional Act of Membership of Lithuania in the European Union, which states that the Union shall respect national identity and constitutional traditions of its Member States. One can note that the clause on the respect by the European Union of the national identities of its Member States is the result of a desire to ensure a balance between the strengthening of the European integration process and the protection of the national identities of Member States.Legal doctrine recognises the clause of respect, by the European Union, of the national identities of its Member States as a legal principle. According to the doctrine, this principle is important not only for the EU legal system, but also for the interaction between the EU and its Member States' legal systems. Authors analyse the diverse aspects of this principle (cultural, political- institutional) and the relationships between national and constitutional identities. Legal doctrine has proposed a wide range of possible meanings of this principle, which can be used as a basis for a serious reflection on the potential judicial interpretation and application of this principle.The European Court of Justice, which is the official interpreter of EU law, applies the clause of respect for national identities of EU Member States in its case-law together with other legal elements (such as fundamental rights, proportionality, protection of public order etc.) on which it grounds its decisions. The judgments of the Court of Justice in Omega, Spain v United Kingdom, Sayn-Wittgenstein, and Runevič-Vardyn and Wardyn cases are examples of this principle being used in European case-law. This principle is usually applied in the case-law of the European Court of Justice in order to draw limits of fundamental freedoms and principles of EU law in individual cases.Because of the impact of the principle of respect for national identities of Member States on the balance between the European and the national legal systems, a dialogue between the ECJ and the national constitutional courts for the convergence of their positions is necessary. ; Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas Europos Sąjungos sutarties 4 straipsnio 2 dalyje įtvirtinto Europos Sąjungos pagarbos valstybių narių nacionaliniam tapatumui principo aiškinimas mokslinėje doktrinoje ir tokio aiškinimo poveikis Europos Sąjungos Teisingumo Teismo jurisprudencijai. Pažymėtina šio principo reikšmė ES ir nacionalinės teisės sąveikai, tai suponuoja ir šio principo potencijų užtikrinti tarpsisteminę darną nagrinėjimą.

Demokratinėje teisinėje valstybėje ir rinkimų reguliavimas įstatymais, ir rinkimų praktika yra grindžiami šalies Konstitucija, kurioje įtvirtinti svarbiausi rinkimų teisės principai. Šių principų turi laikytis ir rinkimų santykius reguliuojantis įstatymų leidėjas, ir rinkimus organizuojančios rinkimų komisijos, ir kitos valstybės institucijos bei pareigūnai. Demokratinių rinkimų konstitucinius pagrindus saugo ir konstitucinės justicijos institucijos. Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinis Teismas užtikrina konstitucingumą rinkimų santykių srityje dviem būdais: a) tikrindamas įstatymų ir kitų teisės aktų rinkimų klausimais konstitucingumą ir b) teikdamas išvadas, ar nebuvo pažeisti rinkimų įstatymai per Seimo ar Prezidento rinkimus. Per keliolika savo veiklos metų Konstitucinis Teismas vertino Seimo rinkimų, Respublikos Prezidento rinkimų, savivaldybių tarybų rinkimų ir kitų įstatymų, susijusių su rinkimų klausimais, konstitucingumą. Nemažai šių aktų nuostatų buvo pripažintos antikonstitucinėmis. Jis taip pat nagrinėjo dvi bylas (1996 ir 2004 m.), kuriose buvo sprendžiama, ar per Seimo narių rinkimus nebuvo pažeisti rinkimų įstatymų reikalavimai. Pažymėtina, kad tiek tirdamas įstatymus, tiek rinkimų praktiką Konstitucinis Teismas turi vadovautis Konstitucija. Todėl kiekvienoje tokių bylų jam teko aiškinti Konstitucijos nuostatose įtvirtintus rinkimų teisės pagrindus. Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinis Teismas savo jurisprudencijoje yra suformulavęs oficialią demokratinių rinkimų pagrindų konstitucinę doktriną. Jis tyrė ir vertino nemažai rinkimų santykius reguliuojančių įstatymų normų ir kai kurias iš jų pripažino antikonstitucinėmis. Šiuo atveju Konstitucinis Teismas veikė kaip "negatyvusis įstatymų leidėjas". Pagal Konstitucijos 105 straipsnio 3 dalies 1 punktą Konstitucinis Teismas teikia išvadas, ar nebuvo pažeisti rinkimų įstatymai per Respublikos Prezidento ir Seimo narių rinkimus. Taip Teismas įgyvendina "rinkimų arbitro", pagal Lietuvos Konstituciją ir Konstitucinio Teismo įstatymą turinčio tik labai ribotą kompetenciją (Teismas tiria ir vertina tik Vyriausiosios rinkimų komisijos sprendimus arba jos atsisakymą nagrinėti skundus dėl rinkimų įstatymų pažeidimų tais atvejais, kai sprendimai buvo priimti arba kita šios Komisijos veika buvo padaryta pasibaigus balsavimui renkant Seimo narius arba Respublikos Prezidentą), misiją. Autoriaus atlikta Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinio Teismo jurisprudencijos, susijusios su rinkimų teisės konstitucinių pagrindų apsauga, apžvalga leido jam padaryti keletą išvadų: Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinio Teismo jurisprudencijoje suformuluota demokratinių rinkimų instituto konstitucinių pagrindų doktrina yra gana fragmentiška, kol kas plačiau atskleisti tik kai kurie rinkimų teisės konstituciniai principai. Tai lėmė santykinai ne itin didelis nagrinėtų bylų skaičius, taip pat prašymuose suformuluoti klausimai. Konstitucinėje jurisprudencijoje suformuluota gana plati rinkimų proceso skaidrumo ir kontrolės, asmeninio balsavimo, draudimo tiesiogiai arba netiesiogiai pirkti rinkėjų balsus reikalavimai. Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinis Teismas, savo nutarimuose pripažinęs, kad Konstitucijai prieštaravo ne viena tikrinto rinkimų įstatymų nuostata, "išvalė" rinkimų reguliavimą įstatymais. Reguliavimo įstatymais konstitucingumą reikia laikyti būtina prielaida tinkamai organizuoti demokratinius rinkimus. Tirdamas gautus prašymus patikrinti, ar nebuvo pažeisti rinkimų įstatymai per Seimo rinkimus (nagrinėtos tik dvi bylos), Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinis Teismas daugiau dėmesio teikė aplinkybėms, kuriomis buvo grindžiami apskųsti Konstituciniam Teismui Vyriausiosios rinkimų komisijos sprendimai, ištirti ir įvertinti. Autorius daro išvadą, kad Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinio Teismo veikla užtikrinant rinkimų reguliavimo ir rinkimų praktikos konstitucingumą neabejotinai stiprina politinio rinkimų proceso teisines ribas.

The present article analyses the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the execution of foreign policy in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. It should be noted that the matters of foreign policy were on the brink of constitutional regulation for a long time. The powers of institutions of the state in the field of foreign relations were established laconically by the Constitutions of first and second "waves" of establishment of constitutionalism. It was argued that the choices of decisions and the execution of foreign policy were determined by political reasons and the law could only fix the results of that policy. That is why these constitutions should be seen as establishing quantitative characteristics of action of the state institutions in the field of foreign policy. As a result of the changes in the concept of the Constitution and the general recognition of the relevance of constitutional regulation from the middle of the twentieth century the constitutional acts began to define not only the powers of certain state institutions in the field of the foreign policy but also the objectives and principles of this policy. These objectives and principles are qualitative parameters of the action of state institutions, which are mandatory constitutional requirements to all subjects engaged in foreign policy. From a qualitative standpoint, the powers of the state institutions can be exercised only by taking the constitutional objectives into account and by respecting the Constitution. The Constitution establishing both qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the execution of foreign policy becomes an actual basis of this policy. It is unlawful to execute foreign policy without complying with its objectives and constitutional principles. The institutions of constitutional review have the powers to determine the constitutionality of legal acts related to the execution of foreign policy. Constitutional regulations previous to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania of 1992 only defined the powers of state institutions, i.e. the quantitative parameters of their action. The Lithuanian Constitution of 1992 also established the constitutional objectives and principles of foreign policy. This area of constitutional regulation has been enhanced by the participation of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union. The author suggests analysing this matter as an autonomous constitutional principle and not only as a case of participation in international organisations or an integral element of the principle of geopolitical orientation. Constitutional objectives and principles of foreign policy, as well as the other provisions of the Constitution regarding the exercise of foreign policy, are interpreted in constitutional jurisprudence. In cases concerning the constitutionality of international treaties, laws and other legislative acts directly related to the exercise of foreign policy, the Constitutional Court reveals the content and meaning of the qualitative and quantitative constitutional parameters of foreign policy. Despite the fragmented nature of the case law one can see the precise contours of the foreign policy system. ; Straipsnyje analizuojami Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucijoje įtvirtinti kokybiniai ir kiekybiniai užsienio politikos įgyvendinimo parametrai. Reikia pažymėti, kad ilgą laiką užsienio politikos formavimas ir įgyvendinimas buvo konstitucinio reguliavimo pakraštyje. Pirmosios ir antrosios konstitucionalizmo įtvirtinimo "bangų" konstitucijose buvo fiksuojami tik valstybės valdžios institucijų įgaliojimai užsienio santykių srityje, dažniausiai itin lakoniškai. Buvo teigiama, kad vienokių ar kitokių užsienio politikos tikslų ar sprendimų pasirinkimą lemia politiniai motyvai, kad teisei lieka tik tos politikos įforminimo vaidmuo. Todėl šiose konstitucijose regime vien kiekybines atitinkamų valstybės institucijų veikimo užsienio politikos srityje charakteristikas. Konstitucijos sampratos pokyčiai, konstitucinio reguliavimo visa apimančio pobūdžio pripažinimas lėmė, kad nuo XX a. vidurio konstituciniuose aktuose imta įtvirtinti ne tik tam tikrų valstybės institucijų įgaliojimus užsienio politikos klausimais, bet ir fiksuoti šalies užsienio politikos tikslus bei principus. Tai jau kokybinio pobūdžio valstybės veiklos parametrai, kurie tampa privalomais konstituciniais imperatyvais, saistančiais užsienio politiką įgyvendinančius subjektus. Kiekybiniu požiūriu nustatytų valstybės institucijų įgaliojimai gali būti įgyvendinami tik siekiant konstitucinių tikslų, tik paisant konstitucijos. Konstitucija tampa tikruoju šalies užsienio politikos pagrindu. Užsienio politika, pažeidžianti konstitucinius jos tikslus ir principus, negalima. Konstitucinės kontrolės institucijos įgyja įgaliojimus vertinti teisės aktų, susijusių su užsienio politika, įgyvendinimo konstitucingumą. Lietuvos Respublikos konstituciniame reguliavime iki 1992 m. Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucijos buvo nustatomi tik veikimo kiekybę fiksuojantys valstybės institucijų įgaliojimai. 1992 m. Konstitucijoje fiksuojami ir užsienio politikos tikslai ir principai. Konstitucinis narystės Europos Sąjungoje fiksavimas sustiprino tokią konstitucinio reguliavimo kryptį. Autoriaus manymu, Lietuvos narystę Europos Sąjungoje reikia traktuoti kaip savarankišką konstitucinį principą, kurio turinys netelpa vien į narystės tarptautinėje organizacijoje atvejo ar geopolitinės orientacijos sudėtinio elemento rėmus. Konstituciniai užsienio politikos tikslai ir principai, kitos konstitucinės nuostatos, susijusios su užsienio politikos įgyvendinimu, yra oficialiai aiškinamos konstitucinėje jurisprudencijoje. Konstitucinis Teismas, nagrinėdamas bylas dėl tarptautinių sutarčių, įstatymų ir kitų teisės aktų, susijusių su užsienio politikos įgyvendinimu, konstitucingumo, atskleidžia tiek kokybinių, tiek kiekybinių užsienio politikos konstitucinių parametrų turinį ir reikšmę. Nepaisant jurisprudencijos fragmentiškumo, joje galima aiškiai matyti konstitucinių užsienio politikos pagrindų sistemos kontūrus.

The author in this article the analyzes the role of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania judging cases about state officers impeachment. The author is concentrated on impeachment institute that is established in Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. It's analyzed in two cuts. First of all the author is interested in interaction problems between law and politics in impeachment process. Secondly, Constitutional Court being a part of impeachment process has to judge actual facts. So we meet relationship between fact and law in this type of constitutional justice cases. By 74 th article of Constitution for gross violation of the Constitution, breach of oath, or upon the disclosure of the commitment of felony, the Seimas may, by three fifths majority vote of all the Seimas members, remove from office the President of the Republic, the Chairman and judges of the Constitutional Court, the Chairman and judges of the Court of Appeals, as well Seimas members, or may revote their mandate of Seimas member. Such an action shall be carried out in accordance with impeachment proceedings that shall be established by the Statute of the Seimas. In 105 th article 2 nd part 5 th mark of the Constitution is established that the Constitutional Court shall present conclusions concerning the compliance with the Constitution of concrete action of Seimas members or other State officers against whom impeachment proceedings have been instituted. So in impeachment process participates political institution – Seimas and judicial institution – Constitutional Court. Jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court demonstrates that Court explaining Constitutional articles regarding impeachment tires to strengthen legal impeachment aspect. Constitutional Court has marked that only Constitutional Court shall present conclusion concerning the compliance with Constitution of concrete actions of higher State officers against whom impeachment proceedings have been instituted.

The author in this article the analyzes the role of Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania judging cases about state officers impeachment. The author is concentrated on impeachment institute that is established in Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. It's analyzed in two cuts. First of all the author is interested in interaction problems between law and politics in impeachment process. Secondly, Constitutional Court being a part of impeachment process has to judge actual facts. So we meet relationship between fact and law in this type of constitutional justice cases. By 74 th article of Constitution for gross violation of the Constitution, breach of oath, or upon the disclosure of the commitment of felony, the Seimas may, by three fifths majority vote of all the Seimas members, remove from office the President of the Republic, the Chairman and judges of the Constitutional Court, the Chairman and judges of the Court of Appeals, as well Seimas members, or may revote their mandate of Seimas member. Such an action shall be carried out in accordance with impeachment proceedings that shall be established by the Statute of the Seimas. In 105 th article 2 nd part 5 th mark of the Constitution is established that the Constitutional Court shall present conclusions concerning the compliance with the Constitution of concrete action of Seimas members or other State officers against whom impeachment proceedings have been instituted. So in impeachment process participates political institution – Seimas and judicial institution – Constitutional Court. Jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court demonstrates that Court explaining Constitutional articles regarding impeachment tires to strengthen legal impeachment aspect. Constitutional Court has marked that only Constitutional Court shall present conclusion concerning the compliance with Constitution of concrete actions of higher State officers against whom impeachment proceedings have been instituted.

Lietuvoje įstatymas dažniausiai analizuojamas vien kaip nacionalinės teisės akto rūšis. Straipsnio autoriaus nuomone, šiuolaikinės įstatymo sampratos tyrimas turėtų būti papildytas istoriniu ir lyginamuoju tyrimu, kurie atskleistų įstatymo raidą ir jo vietą šiuolaikinėse nacionalinės teisės sistemose. Tradiciškai įstatymas suprantamas kaip atstovaujamosios valdžios institucijos specialia tvarka priimtas pirminis teisės aktas, nustatantis teisės normas, reguliuojančias svarbiausius visuomeninius santykius ir turintis aukščiausiąją teisinę galią.
Lietuvos nacionalinė teisė kuriama Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucijos pagrindu. Įtvirtinus konstitucinės justicijos institutą, Konstitucija tapo tikru viso šalies teisinio gyvenimo centru. Konstitucinis Teismas nuolatos tikrina įstatymų konstitucingumą. Konstitucinio Teismo jurisprudencijoje ryškėja ir nauji įstatymo sampratos bruožai.
Dabar nebetiktų ir toliau įstatymą įvardyti kaip pirminį teisės aktą. Moderniojoje teisėje toks yra tik vienas aktas – Konstitucija, kuris tradiciškai vadinamas pagrindiniu įstatymu, tačiau pagal savo požymius iš tikrųjų esantis aukščiausiąja steigiamąja teise. Įstatymas pagal visus savo parametrus privalo atitikti šią aukščiausiąją teisę. Kartu pažymėtina, kad įstatymas priklauso artimiausiam Konstitucijai teisinio reguliavimo sluoksniui. Tai demokratiškas teisėkūros instrumentas, reguliuojantis svarbiausius santykius visuomenėje.
Įstatymų leidėjui kyla pareiga laikytis Konstitucinio Teismo jurisprudencijoje atskleistų Konstitucijos reikalavimų įstatymų leidybai.

The article deals with very important for the so-called new democracies constitutional control issues of protection of the information freedom. This freedom is vital to the status of man of modern day society. The foundations of a person's right to information are laid in Article 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. Various aspects of this freedom are stated in other articles of the Constitution as well. For this reason, legal regulation of information is the object of the constitutional control The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania has decided several cases on the protection of aforementioned constitutional freedom. The Court, interpreting constitutional norms, drew some important conclusions: not only does this freedom concern individual persons, but also is the basis of the pluralist democracy since it directly relates to the implementation of other fundamental rights. The decisions in these cases have to be made within the wider contextual framework since TV/Radio media plays a central role regarding the access to information. Freedom to information is not unrestrained. Its restriction is but under the law and the purpose of such restriction is no protect ceiiain other constitutional values. In the article the aforementioned problems are analysed from the point of view of the Constitutional Court in its decisions regarding constitutionality of the Law on Alcohol Control, of the Law on Tobacco Control, of the Law on State Secrets and Their Protection, of the Statute of Lithuanian TV and Radio and of the other laws.

The article deals with very important for the so-called new democracies constitutional control issues of protection of the information freedom. This freedom is vital to the status of man of modern day society. The foundations of a person's right to information are laid in Article 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. Various aspects of this freedom are stated in other articles of the Constitution as well. For this reason, legal regulation of information is the object of the constitutional control The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania has decided several cases on the protection of aforementioned constitutional freedom. The Court, interpreting constitutional norms, drew some important conclusions: not only does this freedom concern individual persons, but also is the basis of the pluralist democracy since it directly relates to the implementation of other fundamental rights. The decisions in these cases have to be made within the wider contextual framework since TV/Radio media plays a central role regarding the access to information. Freedom to information is not unrestrained. Its restriction is but under the law and the purpose of such restriction is no protect ceiiain other constitutional values. In the article the aforementioned problems are analysed from the point of view of the Constitutional Court in its decisions regarding constitutionality of the Law on Alcohol Control, of the Law on Tobacco Control, of the Law on State Secrets and Their Protection, of the Statute of Lithuanian TV and Radio and of the other laws.