Professional Documents
Culture Documents
судске праксе
Однос између правне
сигурности и судијске
независности
Harmonisation
of the case law
Relationship between
legal certainty and
judicial independence
Издавач
Друштво судија Србије
Београд, Алексе Ненадовића 24/1
www.sudije.rs
За издавача
Драгана Бољевић, председница
Штампа
Фидуциа 011 Принт
Тираж
600 примерака
Драгомир Милојевић /
Dragomir Milojević 8/9
Драгана Бољевић /
Dragana Boljević 18/19
Уједначавање судске праксе -
између правне сигурности
и судијске независности /
Harmonisation of the case law –
between legal certainty
and judicial independence
4
introduction
Though educated lawyers, judges are matically narrowed by raising the review
people with their own character and over- level from 300.000 dinars (slightly more
view of the social events and priorities. It than 3.000 euro) in disputes before the
is not foreign to any society that judges, ordinary courts, i.e. from 1.500.000 dinars
in situations factually and legally seem- in commercial disputes (around 15.600
ingly similar, though not the same, reach euro) to 100.000 euro in disputes before
different decisions, depending on the in- the ordinary courts and to 300.000 euro in
dividual circumstances. When is that ac- commercial disputes. During the period of
ceptable and when does a problem arise? only five years, two reforms of the “court
network” were undertaken. Decades-long
The matter of unharmonised judicial de- organisation of courts, which consisted
cisions has, for some time, been imposed of 138 municipal courts, was completely
as one of the most important matters in changed in 2010 by formation of 34 ba-
Serbian judiciary. sic courts with 98 court units, only until
1 January 2014 when additional 32 basic
In Serbia there are frequent, extensive and courts were founded (total of 66 basic
incoherent changes of the laws present, courts), while the number of court units
especially procedural ones, in which the was decreased to 29. In-training of judges
principle of material truth is significantly has practically been inexistent for years.
suppressed by the principle of disposi-
tion and the very procedure is, in terms The consequence of inconsistency of
of evidence, “handed over” to the parties. judicial decisions is also reflected in the
The jurisdictions of the courts have been number of decisions that the Europe-
changed, especially that of the highest an Court of Human Rights has brought
instance. As of 2010, the jurisdiction of against Serbia in relation to this matter.
Supreme Court of Cassation was dra-
5
увод
6
introduction
Are judges and courts the only ones who Appellate Court of Schleswig-Holstein
are responsible for inconsistent judicial and German ad-hoc Judge of the Europe-
decisions? How to solve the matter of in- an Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
consistency of judicial decisions? Which
solutions represent sideways for the rea- Publication that you are holding is a re-
son that they may affect the independ- minder for an event during which two
ence of judges, and which are appropriate conclusions crystallised:
and adequate?
• As much as every society needs ac-
Several dozen Serbian judges participat- cessibility and foreseeability of justice
ed in the international conference Har- and legal certainty, it also needs the
monisation of case law – relationship independence of judges, which is a
between legal certainty and judicial inde- prerequisite for their impartiality and
pendence held on 10 July 2015, whose for fair trial for citizens.
host was Judges’ Association of Ser-
bia, amongst which Dragomir Milojević, • Consistency of judicial decisions is
President of Supreme Court of Cassation, established not by imposing of the
his Deputy, Justice of Supreme Court of imperativeness of jurisprudence, but
Cassation Snežana Andrejević, as well as by ensuring of stable and consistent
Justices of Supreme court of Cassation – legal system, by high quality judges,
Presidents of court practice departments especially the judges of the highest
Vesna Popović (in civil matters) and Ljubi- court instances and by the widest
ca Milutinović (in matters of protection of possible accessibility to legal regula-
the right to trial within a reasonable time), tions and judicial decisions.
Presidents and representatives of court
practice departments of all four Courts
of Appeal, judges of the largest High and
Basic courts, as well as Goran Ilić, Presi- Dragana Boljević
dent of Association of Public Prosecutors President of Judges’ Association of Serbia
and Deputy Public Prosecutors of Serbia,
President of Judges’ Association of Ser-
bia and her Deputy and members of the
Management Board of Judges’ Associa-
tion of Serbia.
7
Драгомир Милојевић
8
Dragomir Milojević
9
Драгомир Милојевић
Ово стога, јер је препознато да је нај- у питање способност судова то јест су-
већа вредност у сваком друштву неза- дија да овакве законодавне недостат-
висан и ефикасан правосудни систем, ке превазиђу у законитој процедури,
а њега нема уколико се различито ре- будући да судови примењују право и
шава, пре свега у репетитивним споро- нису овлашћени да уместо законодав-
вима у истим чињеничним и правним не власти доносе норме којима уређују
ситуацијама, што директно утиче на правне односе.
правну сигурност.
Једном речју као да више не важи Та-
Због тога је пре свега нужно изврши- цитова максима „Кад држава не ваља,
ти анализу тренутне ситуације у вези много је закона”.
са уједначавање судске праксе, затим
кроз широку и транспарентну дискусију Стога сам мишљења да морамо више
између актера о начинима уједначава- користити правна начела, правне стан-
ња судске праксе дати конкретне пре- дарде, који својом општошћу и приме-
длоге о томе како да се осигура правна њивошћу на мноштво ситуација омогу-
сигурност уз обезбеђивање судске не- ћавају да право одговори на конкретан
зависности, што је по мом мишљењу и чињенични склоп и онда кад правна
ratio ове конференције, а о чему ће си- норма не пружа одговор или чак прко-
гуран сам више и конкретније рећи су- си њему.
дија ВКС Снежана Андрејевић у даљем
току конференције. Знам да ће многи негодовати на сам
помен речи правда, правичност, добри
Међутим, морам рећи неколико речи о обичаји, правила морала, савесност и
одређеним факторима, рекао бих спољ- поштење, али морамо се сетити да је на-
них који значајно доприносе неуједначе- чело савесности и поштења једно од нај-
ној судској пракси у Републици Србији. чешћих у историји права и у упоредном
грађанском праву и представља снажан
То се пре свега односи на чињеницу да је морални уплив у правни поредак.
на делу инфлација прописа која уситња-
ва и фрагментује правни систем и ствара Исти подразумева самосвесног и од-
међусобно одвојена и готово ничим по- говорног судију који не бежи од сло-
везана острва правног поретка. боде, који је гласноговорник друштва
и етике и који правну струку не своди
Мноштво прописа, који су међусобно на пуку интерпретацију прописа и који
неусклађени, неодређених норми које није аутомат за изрицање пресуда.
захтевају тумачење пре почетка при-
мене, застрашује, појачава страх од Да је то могуће, наше судство је пока-
грешке, угрожава свест обавезности зало обиљем пресуда које на том наче-
права, што доводи до мање креатив- лу почивају.
ности и изговора за бекство од одго-
ворности, а све то скупа сигурно узро- Морамо се подсетити да се судске
кује различиту судску праксу и доводи одлуке заснивају на Уставу, закону,
10
Dragomir Milojević
This is for the reason that it has been rec- this cause different jurisprudence and
ognised that the ultimate value in every bring into question the ability of courts, i.e.
society is the independent and efficient of judges, to overcome these legal short-
judicial system, and there cannot be one comings in a legal procedure, since the
if there is a difference in solving, above all, courts apply the law and are not author-
repetitive disputes with the same facts ised to, instead of legislative, pass legal
and legal situations, which directly affects provisions that regulate legal relations.
legal certainty.
In one word, as if the maxim of Tacitus
Consequently, it is primarily necessary “The more corrupt the state, the more nu-
to analyse the actual situation in relation merous the laws” is no longer valid.
with harmonisation of jurisprudence,
then through wide and transparent dis- Therefore, I am of the opinion that we have
cussion between the actors on the man- to use the legal principles, legal standards
ners of harmonisation of jurisprudence, more, which enable, with their generality
provide concrete suggestions on how to and applicability to multitude of situations,
secure legal certainty while ensuring judi- the law to respond to concrete factual set
cial independence, which is in my opinion even when the legal provision does not
a ratio of this conference, which will be, I provide the response or even defies it.
am sure, furthermore and thoroughly ad-
dressed by Justice Snežana Andrejević in I know that many would protest the mere
the further course of the conference. mentioning of the words justice, right-
eousness, good customs, moral norms,
However, I have to say a few words on good faith and honesty, but we cannot but
specific factors, I would say external ones, remember that the principle of good faith
that notably contribute to unharmonised and honesty is one of the most common
jurisprudence in Republic of Serbia. ones in the history of law and in compar-
ative civil law and represents a powerful
This is mainly related with the fact that influence of moral in the legal system.
the inflation of regulations is happening
and it is splitting and fragmenting the le- It implies a self-conscious and respon-
gal system and creating mutually sepa- sible judge who does not escape the
rated and virtually completely unrelated freedom, who is a spokesperson of the
islands of the legal system. society and ethics and who does not un-
dermine the profession to mere interpre-
The multitude of regulations that are mu- tation of regulations and who is not a ma-
tually unharmonised, unspecified norms chine for bringing judgements.
that require interpretation prior to their
implementation, frightens, increases the Our judiciary has shown that it is possible
fear of a mistake, endangers the aware- by numerous judgements that are based
ness of obligation of the law, which leads on this principle.
to lesser creativity and excuse for escape
from responsibility, and collectively, all
11
Драгомир Милојевић
12
Dragomir Milojević
We have to remind ourselves that the practically represents the fourth instance
court decisions are based on the Consti- in reviewing of court decisions and com-
tution and Law, the ratified internation- plicates the process of harmonisation of
al treaty and regulation passed on the jurisprudence, since judicial decisions are
grounds of the Law. Court decisions shall being quashed by a body outside of judi-
be obligatory for all and may not be a cial control.
subject of extrajudicial control. Therefore,
the decisions of the Constitutional Court On the other hand, Supreme Court of Cas-
could only be the basis for filing extraor- sation, as the highest court instance in the
dinary legal remedies. system of judicial power, enables unified
judicial application of the law and equali-
However, the authority that the Constitu- ty of the parties in the proceedings, con-
tional Court establishes, based on inter- siders the application of the law and oth-
pretation of the Article 89 paragraph 2 of er regulations, as well as working of the
the Law on Constitutional Court cannot courts, thus fulfilling its legally determined
be the basis for the annulment of final jurisdiction outside of court proceedings.
judicial decisions since the Constitutional
Court does not belong to the system of Legal views of the departments of the
judicial power and interfering with judi- Supreme Court of Cassation are binding
cial power in this manner depraves the only the judges of that Court and adoption
judicial power and endangers the princi- of the binding legal views for the judges of
ple of legal certainty, since, in dispositive the highest court instance is according to
procedures, the other party in the pro- the current legal regulation in the function
cedure is not informed about an appeal of maintaining equal legal protection be-
being filed, nor can they take a position fore the court, since the consequence of
in the procedure before the Constitutional uneven handling of the court and bringing
Court, while the Constitutional Court can, different legal decisions in equal matters
according to its practice, even after sever- may lead to breaching of the constitution-
al years from filing constitutional appeal, al and conventional right to a fair trial.
quash final decision of every court in the
Republic, including the highest – Su- However, the need of harmonisation of
preme Court of Cassation. jurisprudence, equal handling in equal
legal matters, legal certainty and the
This conflict of jurisdictions, which deep- predictability of the legal order, according
ly disturbs the principle of independence to the more and more present stance of
and autonomy of the judicial power, can domestic and international experts, must
be resolved only by changing of the Con- not violate the independence of a judge
stitution, which would specifically regu- acting in a particular case.
late the disposition of the Constitutional
Court and allow or disable the annulment Venice Commission is of the similar opin-
of the court decisions in the proceedings ion: “Abstract statements regarding the
following a constitutional appeal. In the application of a law tend generally to be
current situation, the Constitutional Court fallible, as it is difficult to foresee all the
13
Драгомир Милојевић
Због тога улога Врховног касационог Такође, сви смо упознати са другим
суда уједначавању судске праксе треба принципом – да сви треба да имају фер
да буде усмерена на доношење добро и ефикасан приступ правди.
образложених одлука у конкретним
предметима у којима ће бити решена Како се приступ правди најбоље по-
спорна правна питања судске праксе стиже – то је начин на који Влада може
кроз доношење прелиминарних одлу- најбоље обезбедити да судски систем
ка о спорном правном питању на за- буде отворен, транспарентан и ефи-
хтев првостепеног суда, одлучивање касан у заштити права да грађанима
о ванредним правним лековима у кри- пружи бољи приступ судовима кроз
вичној материји, односно ревизијско правилну употребу модерних техноло-
одлучивање и одлучивање о посебној гија, а још важније јачању права и од-
ревизији, а све мање кроз вршење на- говорности.
длежности изван суђења – заузимање
правних ставова којима се попуњавају Ниједно од ових питања која су отвoри-
правне празнине настале доношењем ла ова два начела владавине права
закона и других прописа, чије су норме није једноставнo.
неодређене, непрецизне или нејасне.
14
Dragomir Milojević
factual circumstances in which this law regulation, whose provisions are unde-
could be applied. The general session termined, imprecise or vague.
should only decide in concrete cases.”
This comment relates to the opinion of the This kind of positions are incorporated
Commission related to the proposal of the in the Plan of Activities of the Supreme
Draft Amendments to the Law on Organi- Court of Cassation for the purpose of
sation of Courts in Serbia from 2013. harmonisation of jurisprudence, having
in mind the categorical imperative of the
The same opinion was given in the Rec- institutional independence of courts and
ommendation of the Committee of Min- personal independence of judges, with
isters to member States of the Council of the aim to accomplish two main princi-
Europe to judges of 17 November 2010 ples: the Rule of Law and access to jus-
envisaging that the judges should have tice that were expressed as early as 1215
a freedom to impartially, in accordance in Magna Carta Libertatum, and at the
to the law and their interpretation of the same time in Serbia in Nomocanon or the
facts, reach decisions in the cases. Zakonopravilo of Saint Sava which repre-
sents the collection of civil and ecclesias-
According to the above mentioned, it can tical regulations.
be stated that the stance, which we adopt
has been crystallized, that the higher The first principle, the Rule of Law is
courts should not provide the judges with an ultimate prerequisite for any kind of
instructions on what kind of a judgement peaceful and sustainable development of
they should bring in particular cases, the society. We have all accepted the prin-
apart from the preliminary decisions or ciple that everyone in the State has to, not
while deciding on legal remedies accord- only act in accordance to the Law – but
ing to the law. also be equal before the Law and have
the right to a fair trial.
For this reason, the role of the Supreme
Court of Cassation in harmonisation of Furthermore, we are all acquainted with
case jurisprudence should be directed the second principle – that everyone has
towards reaching well-reasoned deci- to have a fair and efficient access to justice.
sions in particular cases in which disput-
able legal issues of jurisprudence will be How to achieve the access to justice in the
solved through reaching preliminary de- best manner – that is the way in which a
cisions on disputable legal matter upon Government may best provide that the
a request of the first instance court, de- judicial system is open, transparent and
ciding on extraordinary legal remedies in efficient in protection of rights to provide
criminal matter, i.e. review decisions and the citizens with a better access to the
decisions in the special review process; courts through the correct utilisation of
and less and less through the exercise the modern technologies, and more im-
of jurisdiction outside of the trial – mak- portantly, through strengthening rights
ing legal positions which fulfil legal gaps and responsibilities.
created by passing the laws and other
15
Драгомир Милојевић
Хвала на пажњи.
16
Dragomir Milojević
17
Драгана Бољевић
18
Dragana Boljević
19
Драгана Бољевић
20
Dragana Boljević
prescribes mutual independence of judg- the source of law. However, since ju-
es (Article 22): “A judge is free in holding risprudence, or more specifically legal
his/her views, determination of facts and views stated in it, is respected amongst
application of law in all matters under his/ the judges, jurisprudence does represent
her deliberation. А judge is not required to the source of law in practice. As such, it
justify to anyone, even other judges and/ should enable the equality of every person
or the president of the court, his/her un- before the law and legal certainty, predict-
derstanding of the law and the facts found, ability of judicial decisions here included.
except in the reasoning of the judgment or
when so particularly stipulated by law.” For this reason, every judge should know
Law on organisation of courts (Article 3): the relevant jurisprudence and consider it
„Judicial authority shall be vested in courts upon deciding, and in case of reaching a
and shall be independent of the legislative decision contrary to decisions of a supe-
and the executive authorities. Judicial de- rior court, they should state the reasons
cisions shall be binding on all and may not that determined such kind of handling. By
be subject to extra-judicial control. Judi- the power of an argument and by the au-
cial decisions may be reviewed only by the thority of courts expressing certain legal
court of competent jurisdiction in due pro- view through interpretation of the legal
ceedings established by law. All persons provisions, a legal view becomes accept-
are obliged to comply with enforceable ed by the majority of other courts, and the
judicial decisions.“ jurisprudence is created in this manner.
Accepted legal views of jurisprudence Since the year 2000 – Serbian judiciary
are not binding, therefore, formally, in has been in the state of “a reform” and
Republic of Serbia, jurisprudence is not laws have been changed continuously,
frequently and, usually, in an unharmo-
1 „5. Judges should have unfettered freedom to decide nised manner.
cases impartially, in accordance with the law and
their interpretation of the facts. Chapter III − Internal
independence 22. The principle of judicial independence Instead of the Labour Law from 20012, the
means the independence of each individual judge in
the exercise of adjudicating functions. In their decision
new one was passed in 2005 and amend-
making judges should be independent and impartial ed on four occasions3. Law on Companies4
and able to act without any restriction, improper
influence, pressure, threat or interference, direct or
from 2004 was amended in 2011, only for
indirect, from any authority, including authorities
internal to the judiciary. Hierarchical judicial organisation
should not undermine individual independence 2 Labour Law, Official Gazette of RS, number 70/2001, 73/2001.
23. Superior courts should not address instructions to 3 Labour Law, Official Gazette of RS, number 24/2005,
judges about the way they should decide individual cases, 61/2005, 54/2009 and 32/2013, 75/2014.
except in preliminary rulings or when deciding on legal 4 Law on Companies, Official Gazette of RS, number
remedies according to the law..“ 125/2004 and 36/2011 – other law.
21
Драгана Бољевић
22
Dragana Boljević
a new law to be passed in the very 20115, ness Registers Agency15 from 2004 was
amended in the same year, and then twice amended in 2009 and 2011, at the same
more subsequently; Law on the Market time when the Law on the Procedure of
of Securities and other Financial Instru- Registration with the Serbian Business
ments6 from 2002 was amended 6 more Registers Agency16 was passed, which
times before 2006, when a new such Law7 was amended last year.
was passed, and was in 2011 replaced by
the Law on the Capital Market8, while the Law on Bankruptcy Proceedings17 from
Law on Takeovers of Joint Stock Compa- 2004, amended in 2005, was in 2009 re-
nies9 was passed in 2006 and amended in placed by the Law on Bankruptcy18, which
2009 and 2011. was later on amended three times, and
Law on Restructuring, Bankruptcy and
Law on privatization10 from 2001 was Liquidation of Banks19, having, for 11
amended 9 additional times, while a new years (from 1990) been amended 6 times,
one was passed11 in August of last year was replaced by Law on Bankruptcy and
and amended already in May this year; Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Com-
Law on Privatization Agency12 from 2001 panies20 in 2005, which was afterwards
was amended in 2004, 2010 and 2014; amended two more times, and in Febru-
Law on Share Fund13 from 1998 was re- ary of this year a new law21 was passed.
placed by a new one in 200114, amended
in 2005 and was revoked as of 15 May Civil Procedure Code22 from 2004 was
2010 according to the wording of the amended three times, while a new one23
Article 16 item 1 of the Law on Privati- was passed in 2011 and amended three
zation Agency; Law on the Serbian Busi-
5 Law on Companies, Official Gazette of RS, number 15 Law on the Serbian Business Registers Agency, Official
36/2011, 99/2011, 83/2014, 5/2015. Gazette of RS, number 55/2004, 111/2009 and 99/2011.
6 Law on the Market of Securities and other Financial 16 Law on the Procedure of Registration with the Serbian
Instruments, Official Gazette of FRY, number 65/2002 Business Registers Agency, Official Gazette of RS,
and Official Gazette of RS, number 57/2003, 55/2004, number 99/2011, 83/2014 .
45/2005, 101/2005 – other law 85/2005 – other law and 17 Law on Bankruptcy Proceedings, Official Gazette of RS,
46/2006 – other law. number 84/2004 and 85/2005 – other law.
7 Law on the Market of Securities and other Financial 18 Law on Bankruptcy, Official Gazette of RS, number
Instruments, Official Gazette of RS, number 47/2006. 104/2009, 99/2011 – other law and 71/2012 –
8 Law on the Capital Market, Official Gazette of RS, number Constitutional Court decision 83/2014.
31/2011. 19 Law on Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Liquidation of
9 Law on Takeovers of Joint Stock Companies, Official Banks, Official Gazette of SFRY, number 84/89 и 63/90
Gazette of RS, number 46/2006, 107/2009 and 99/2011. and Official Gazette of FRY, number 37/93, 26/95, 28/96,
10 Law on privatization, Official Gazette of RS, number 44/99 and 53/2001.
38/2001, 18/2003, 45/2005, 123/2007, 123/2007 – 20 Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and
other law, 30/2010 – other law, 93/2012 and 119/2012, Insurance Companies, Official Gazette of RS, number
51/2014, 52/2014 (Constitutional Court decision) 61/2005, 116/2008 and 91/2010.
11 Law on privatization, Official Gazette of RS, number 21 Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance
83/2014, 46/2015. Companies, Official Gazette of RS, number 14/2015.
12 Law on Privatization Agency, Official Gazette of RS, 22 Civil Procedure Code, Official Gazette of RS, number
number 38/2001, 135/2004 and 30/2010, 115/2014. 125/2004, 111/2009, 36/2011, 53/2013 – Constitutional
13 Law on Share Fund of Republic of Serbia, Official Gazette Court decision.
of RS, number 44/98. 23 Civil Procedure Code, Official Gazette of RS, number
14 Law on Share Fund, Official Gazette of RS, number 72/2011, 49/2013 – Constitutional Court decision,
38/2001 and 45/2005. 74/2013 – Constitutional Court decision, 55/2014.
23
Драгана Бољевић
24
Dragana Boljević
times. Law on Enforcement Procedure24 The situation is the same when it comes
from 2000 was amended during that very to status-organisational laws on judici-
year, then during the next year, and a new ary: previous Law on Judges32 from 2001
law25 was passed in 2004, only to be re- was, for 8 years, amended 11 times, and
placed by Law on Enforcement and Se- actual Law on Judges33 from 2008 – was
curity26 in 2011, which was already in the for the period of less than seven years
same year replaced by a new law27 and amended 10 times. Previous Law on
then the same was done in three more Organisation of Courts34 from 2001 was
occasions; during this year, a draft of a amended 6 times, while the current one
new law was prepared. has been amended 8 times35. Law on
High Council of Judiciary36 from 2001 was
Criminal Code28 from 2005 was in the amended 5 times and the current Law
same year amended, was also amended on High Judicial Council37 from 2008 – 3
twice in 2009 and once in each 2012, 2013 times, provided that in 2014 the amend-
and 2014. Criminal Procedure Code29 ments were withdrawn.
from 2001 was amended 9 times un-
til 2010; the second Criminal Procedure Several decades functioning court net-
Code30 from 2006, although it has never work of 138 municipal courts38 had been
been applied, was amended in 2007 and completely changed in 2010 by formation
2008, and the actual Criminal Procedure of 34 basic courts with 98 court units, at
Code31 from 2011 has been amended 5 the commencement of application of the
times in total – first time even before its Law on the Seats and Territorial Jurisdic-
implementation began in the same year it tions of Courts and Public Prosecutor's
was adopted, then in 2012, twice in 2013
and once in 2014.
25
Драгана Бољевић
• констатовао да, иако измене и до- Исто тако напр, суд који одлучује о
пуне закона могу бити одраз ра- правном леку, зависно од жалбених
звоја правног окружења, тако честе навода у погледу повреда поступка о
промене имају за последицу недо- којима не води рачуна по службеној
следну правосудну праксу и допри- дужности, доносиће резличите одлуке
носе општем помањкању правне (потврђујуће или укидајуће) у истовр-
сигурности (што је само по себи по- сним ситуацијама.
вреда Конвенције)
26
Dragana Boljević
• Stating that, even though amend- Thus, for example, a court deciding on
ments and supplements to the law an appeal, depending on the arguments
can reflect development of the legal of the appeal in terms of violations of the
surroundings, such frequent changes proceedings which a court does not eval-
result in consequence of inconsistent uate ex officio, will reach a different de-
case law and contribute to overall lack cisions (confirming or dismissing) on the
of legal security (which is per se a vio- same situations.
lation of the Convention)
27
Драгана Бољевић
28
Dragana Boljević
2013) and Action Plan for its implementa- of binding of jurisprudence. It should be
tion envisaged formation of Certification understood that the law will prescribe the
Commission for the purpose of harmo- binding jurisprudence.
nising the jurisprudence. According to
the Action Plan for the Implementation The practice has already seen the situ-
of the National Judicial Reform Strategy, ations of the initiation of the disciplinary
Certification Commission is to be consist- proceedings against the judges that re-
ed of heads of jurisprudence divisions of fused to amend their decision, since they
the Supreme Court of Cassation, those of disagreed with the stance of other judges
four appellate courts, of the Commercial that it should be done. In this regard, the
Court of Appeals and of the Administra- debates within courts were developed
tive Court. Its work would contribute, in and such a phenomenon, endangering
so far unidentified manner, law profes- the judicial independence, was pointed
sors and attorneys. The role of this Com- out in official documents. Luckily, disci-
mission would be to identify judicial deci- plinary reports against these judges were
sions that represent the “best practice” in dismissed, so we hope that these kinds of
different kinds of cases, and to take care issues will be addressed with great cau-
that all the remaining decisions in similar tion in the future.
cases are being brought in accordance
with “established jurisprudence”, i.e. to These seemingly simple solutions, how-
not let the decision that, according to Cer- ever, raise a series of serious problems.
tification Commission’s estimate deviates
from the jurisprudence, to be dispatched On one hand, such solutions would be
from the court and therefore maintain unconstitutional and contrary to the le-
uniform handling. gal system and legal tradition of Serbia
which date from the beginning of XIX cen-
What is more, there already are sugges- tury and the reestablishment of modern
tions that the judges should be punished Serbian statehood. Let us recall: Serbia
for disciplinary offence in case their deci- adopted a Constitution in 1835 (at the
sions, according to Certification Commis- time only nine European countries had
sion, deviate from the jurisprudence and their Constitutions) and Civil Code in 1844
if the judges do not amend their stance in (that was the third Civil Code, after French
decisions. and Austrian ones).
The process of accession to the Europe- On the other hand, these solutions would
an Union and the need for harmonisation jeopardise the inner independence of
with the law of EU contributes to this judges.
kind and these very changes of the law.
In the latest version of the Action Plan for Certification Commission would repre-
Chapter 23 of the Negotiations for acces- sent a quasi-tribunal, under the crucial
sion to EU it is envisaged that the anal- influence of the executive through the
ysis and amendments of the normative appointment of associated members
framework which regulates: the issue (professors, attorneys) and the “judges”
29
Драгана Бољевић
30
Dragana Boljević
of this “court of all courts”, unlike judges decisions. When is that acceptable and
that bring and sign their own decisions, when does a problem occur?
would not have the responsibility for their
decision, but would instead have enor- ECHR spoke about this, moreover, in a de-
mous and unacceptable power over judg- cision against Serbia42, when it stated that:
es – they would be originators to judges,
they would direct the way they should ad- 54. (II) The possibility of conflicting court
judicate, and that would suffocate every decisions is an inherent trait of any judi-
free judicial opinion. Even prescribing cial system which is based on a network
binding of the jurisprudence in a different of trial and appeal courts with authority
way would also, under current conditions, over the area of their territorial jurisdiction.
increase the inertia of judges (in Serbia, Such divergences may also arise within the
such a trait is not a characteristic of judg- same court. That, in itself, cannot be con-
es alone), pattern adjudication, dissuade sidered contrary to the Convention (see
judges to reach decisions according to Santos Pinto v. Portugal, no. 39005/04, §
judicial deliberation, have fatal influence 41, 20 May 2008, and Tudor Tudor v. Roma-
on fair trial and furthermore sap the re- nia, no. 21911/03, § 29, 24 March 2009);
liability of citizens to judiciary, without
which a Rule of Law could not exist in a (III) The criteria that guide the Court’s as-
democratic society. sessment of the conditions in which con-
flicting decisions of different domestic
courts ruling at last instance are in breach
4. A framework of the fair trial requirement enshrined in
and method of solution Article 6 § 1 of the Convention consist in:
31
Драгана Бољевић
32
Dragana Boljević
23530/02, §§ 49-50, 2 July 2009; Beian v. Ro- numerous activities directed towards
mania (no. 1), no. 30658/05, §§ 34-40, ECHR harmonisation of jurisprudence, which
2007-V (extracts); Ştefan and Ştef v. Roma- will certainly be discussed in more detail
nia, nos. 24428/03 and 26977/03, §§ 33-36, further on, amongst which to:
27 January 2009; Schwarzkopf and Taussik
v. the Czech Republic (dec.), no. 42162/02, 2 • Publish its decisions on its website, as
December 2008; Tudor Tudor, cited above, well as decisions of the Constitutional
§ 31; Ştefănică and Others v. Romania, no. Court and ECHR and legal opinions,
38155/02, § 36, 2 November 2010); views and conclusions:
This kind of assessment must also be • Prints and publishes on its website
based on a principle of legal certainty. That Bulletin that includes sentences and
principle guarantees stability in legal situ- professional articles of judges on dis-
ations and contributes to the reliability of puted legal matters;
public into courts.
• While it should be improved by de-
However, these demands do not provide an tailed systematisation of judicial deci-
inherent right on consistency of jurispru- sions through word tags.
dence since its development is not, on its
own, in discordance with proper implemen- More and more judges and judicial as-
tation of justice. The point is that an omis- sistants find the internet with databases
sion in maintaining dynamic and developing of legislation and jurisprudence easily
approach, could lead to obstruction of the accessible, and that should be developed
reform or progress (of judicial system). furthermore, thus including detailed sys-
tematisation of judicial decisions through
Judicial decisions and practice, howev- word tags.
er, should not be set in stone. Law, in the
extent it is possible, directs and shapes In the meantime, the Civil Procedure Code
social relations and keeps track of them has been amended and the review lim-
and, if appropriate, contributes to its de- it has been decreased from 100.000€ (in
velopment. Judges that implement the commercial disputes from 300.000€) mak-
law have are obliged to do that properly, to ing the review always available against
interpret the law in a dynamic and devel- a decision in which the dispute’s worth is
opmental manner upon implementing it. above 40.000€ (in commercial disputes
above 100.000€) and against a decision in
which a second instance court has decided
5. Measures for overcoming differently than the first instance.
the inconsistencies
of judicial decisions It is important to understand that juris-
prudence is not to be imposed, since that
would jeopardise inner judicial independ-
The highest court instance in Serbia, Su- ence, but instead jurisprudence is to be
preme Court of Cassation, implements accepted, and that the maintaining of har-
33
Драгана Бољевић
34
Dragana Boljević
35
Горан Илић
36
Goran Ilić
37
Горан Илић
38
Goran Ilić
prosecutorial one. The other reason is the Procedure Code, then certain lack of logic,
need to, boldly and decisively, very often legally-technical ambiguities and the like.
uncritically, accept the solutions from the
Anglo-Saxon criminal procedure system One may have an impression that it has
and one may have the impression that, not been debated enough on the potential
to a certain extent, the adoption of the influence of the new Criminal Procedure
Criminal Procedure Code was a result of Code on legal certainty for the reason that
the influence of certain international ex- these flaws and shortcomings, on which
tra-procedural, extraordinarily authorita- the professional public is mostly con-
tive and extra-legal factors. cordant, may to a great extent produce
unharmonised handling by the courts and
However, the debate begun from the public prosecution offices in the similar
Criminal Procedure Code only after it had or identical situations. Besides, such a
been adopted, the real debate, and therein traditional decision of the legal certainty
one could hear numerous critical com- precisely claims that the legal certainty is
ments, one could hear that during the predictability in accomplishing rights and
adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code obligations and the predictability in fulfill-
the care of constitutional position of public ing rights and obligations. Even the de-
prosecution had not been taken, neither cisions of the European Court of Human
had it been taken on the fact that the pros- Rights and the positions of the Venice
ecution is organised on a rigid, overly cen- Commission tell about this, that the legal
tralised, model, which is to a great extent certainty, according to the understanding
overcome and which will predominant- of the Venice Commission means the
ly hamper the adjustment of the public public, accuracy, consistency and prohibi-
prosecutor to the new procedural role and tion of retroactivity. In one other decision,
I am afraid that it has shown to be true in Demir and Baykara v. Turkey, the Europe-
practice. The second group of remarks an Court of Human Rights states that the
was related to potential unconstitutional- courts should not, without a valid reason,
ity of certain parts of the Criminal Proce- depart from the established precedents.
dure Code, the critics emphasized that the
Code is contrary to the Constitution, above Having all of this in mind, I am afraid that
all to the Article 32 of the Constitution that after the first shock caused by an explo-
provides that the suspension i.e. the initia- sive solution of the new Criminal Pro-
tion of the criminal procedure is to be de- cedure Code, came the second wave of
cided upon by the court. According to the surprises, and it was primarily related to
Criminal Procedure Code, such a decision, unharmonised handling of the courts and
at least in terms of initiation of investiga- public prosecution offices and it was viv-
tion, is in the exclusive competence of a idly explained by one judge of the Court of
public prosecutor, with no judicial or even Appeal in Belgrade by saying that, instead
hierarchical control. And the third group of applying the Criminal Procedure Code,
of remarks referred to, above all, the lack we are interpreting it, and I would add, we
of legally-technical nature of the Criminal are interpreting it on our own accord.
39
Горан Илић
40
Goran Ilić
41
Горан Илић
42
Goran Ilić
On the other hand, at the same time, concordance in the theory that the abso-
there are decisions of the courts that are lute legal certainty does not exist but, as
at the viewpoint that the photocopies of the theoretician say, there only exists the
records, regardless of the Article 139 of relative legal certainty in the framework
the Criminal Procedure Code that allows of legal culture of uncertainty, I am afraid
such a possibility, should not be used as that by the new Criminal Procedure Code,
a proof in the criminal procedure for the by striving towards the effectiveness of
same reasons stated in the sentence of the criminal procedure, which I am not
the far away 1985. sure we can obtain, we have acquired the
certainty of different decisions in a very
There are other problems in relation to similar or identical situations, we have
the handling in, for example, extraordi- somewhat jeopardised the legal certainty
nary legal remedies. According to the Ar- and at the same time, there are no relia-
ticle 470 of the Criminal Procedure Code, ble evidence that we have improved the
the reopening in the criminal procedure effectiveness of the criminal procedure.
can be done only in the case the proce-
dure is terminated by a final judgement.
That has created numerous problems in
practice since there are other types of de-
cisions that are meritorious, above all, the
decisions according to the Law on seizure
and confiscation of the proceeds from
crime and in such a situations the reo-
pening of the procedure is not allowed.
And since that affects the reopening the
regular, ordinary procedure, the Supreme
Court of Cassation has, in my opinion, in
extreme necessity, in good intention, tak-
en the work and provided the interpreta-
tion of the provision 470 of the Criminal
Procedure Code by establishing that the
reopening of the procedure is allowed
even if a procedure is terminated by a
decision, even though the Criminal Pro-
cedure Code does not stipulate it, in case
the decision has a meritorious character
and substitutes the judgment.
43
Irmgard Griss
44
Irmgard Griss
45
Irmgard Griss
46
Irmgard Griss
Precedents are not legally binding. How- would be burdened with an excessive
ever, the Court’s jurisprudence has an es- caseload and not be able to fulfil its task.
sential purpose in giving specific content
to the law, determining the meaning of Appeals are subject to limitation on the
provisions of law and assuring the legal amount in dispute, on the importance
protection of the citizen. in terms of uniformity of law, legal cer-
tainty or development of the law and on
When Austria became a member state leave granted by the appellate court. If the
of the EU in 1995, the Court’s role under- amount in dispute in the appeal court is
went a change. It ceased to be a court of below 5.000€ there lays no appeal to the
last resort in the strict sense. Like all oth- Supreme Court.
er courts of final appeal within the EU the
Court has to refer questions of interpre- The court of appeal has to grant or deny
tation of Union law to the Court of Justice leave to appeal. If leave to appeal is
of the EU if it is not an acte clair. Thus, the granted an ordinary appeal may be filed. If
Court has to seek legal uniformity also leave to appeal is denied a distinction has
with respect to EU law. to be made. Below 30.000 EUR there lays
an appeal to the appeal court to amend its
In addition, the Court has to safeguard decision. The weak point in this respect is
that the law is interpreted in accordance the fact that the judges who rendered the
with the Constitution and the Charter of decision are also the judges who decide
Fundamental Rights. In Austria the Eu- whether the case can be brought before
ropean Convention on Human Rights has the Supreme Court.
constitutional value. Interpretation in ac-
cordance with the Constitution compris- If the amount in dispute is above 30.000€
es interpretation in accordance with the and leave to appeal is denied, an extraor-
European Convention on Human Rights. dinary appeal may be filed. The Supreme
If the Court doubts whether a legal provi- Court is not bound by the appellate court’s
sion is constitutionally valid it has to start decision to grant or to deny leave to appeal.
proceedings in the Constitutional Court It is free to dismiss the appeal or to decide
for invalidation of the provision. the case on the merits. The only difference
lays in the requirements with respect to
the contents of the decision by which the
2. Access to the Supreme Court appeal is dismissed. If an ordinary appeal
is dismissed the decision has to state the
reasons. If an extraordinary appeal is dis-
Access to the Supreme Court is limited; missed no reasoning is required.
there is no automatic right of appeal. Ac-
cording to constitutional law limitation of The filter system works quite well. It
access must not be so broad as to under- strikes a balance between the need for a
mine the Court’s significance as a court manageable caseload and the need that a
of final appeal. But there has to be some single court has the last word with respect
limitation. Otherwise the Supreme Court to the interpretation of legal provisions.
47
Irmgard Griss
ни суд има последњу реч у вези са ту- застарелости за захтеве у вези са га-
мачењем законских одредаба. ранцијом био само шест месеци. Про-
ширено веће је 1992. године одлучило
да купац робе са грешком може да
3. Проширено веће изабере између гаранције и накнаде
штете. Сада је могуће тражити накнаду
за грешке и пошто је рок застарелости
Веће које најјасније одражава основну за захтеве из гаранције истекао и не
функцију Суда се састоји од једанаест само за последичне штете.
чланова и зове се проширено веће.
Формира се када се обичном већу Такође је током деценија критиковано
дода шест најискуснијих судија пошто то што се, по римском принципу “Nemo
је правно питање од фундаментал- pro praeterito alitur”, алиментација не
ног значаја и одлука би одступила од може тражити за прошлост. Тек 1987.
прецедената Суда или од последње године је проширено веће одступило
одлуке претоходног проширеног већа. од дугог низа одлука и одлучило да се
Овакво веће се користи и уколико на алиментација може тражити и за про-
изузетно важно питање није дат једи- текли период.
ствен одговор у претходним одлукама
суда. Да ли ће се проширено веће фор- У највећем броју случајева, прошире-
мирати зависи од одлуке већа које би ном већу су претходиле супротстављене
требало да одлучује по жалби. одлуке и дискусије унутар правних кру-
гова у оквиру којих је судска пракса кри-
Дала бих неколико примера: тикована. Обично је потребно неко вре-
ме док (обично) веће прихвати критике
Проширено веће је 1992. године одлу- и одлучи да конституише проширено
чило да трговачки путник има избор веће. Судови се воде одлукама проши-
између тужбе у вези са изводима из реног већа иако оне нису правно оба-
књига и ванпарничног поступка који везујуће. Међутим, уколико суд пронађе
омогућава приступ књигама и рачунима боље аргументе слободан је да другачи-
како би добио неопходне информације је одлучи. Али то је редак изузетак.
за израчунавање провизије продаје. До
ове одлуке, трговачки путник је могао
да започне само ванпарнични посту- 4. Приступ одлукама
пак. Последица је била да је морао да
сноси трошкове извода из књига.
Суд последње инстанце може испунити
Током деценија су се водиле дискуси- свој задатак заштите правне усклађено-
је о томе да ли купац робе са грешком сти и правне сигурности ако постоји лак
може тужити продавца за накнаду приступ одлукама. У Аустрији је овакав
штете на име компензације за грешку. случај. Постоји база података која са-
У то време је рок застарелости за нак- држи све одлуке Суда осим оних које се
наду штете био три године, док је рок тичу само одбацивања жалби без наво-
48
Irmgard Griss
49
Irmgard Griss
50
Irmgard Griss
the decision does not depend on a sub- decisions will be accepted by the parties
stantial point of law. and followed by fellow judges only if their
reasoning is clear and persuasive. Con-
In addition to the full texts the database tinuing education for judges, also for Su-
also contains statements of guiding prin- preme Court justices, is a must.
ciples (“Leitsätze”) derived from deci-
sions. Ideally, the panel drafts the state-
ments of guiding principles because the 6. Concluding remarks
deciding judges know best what the guid-
ing principles of their decision are. If the
panel fails to do so then the judges in the Legal uniformity and legal certainty
Records Office (“Evidenzbüro”) draft the are fundamental qualities of the “Re-
statements. In any case, the statements chtsstaat”, the state governed by the rule
have to be approved by the chair of the of law. Legal uniformity and legal cer-
panel before they are published. The de- tainty presuppose harmonization of law.
cisions and statements of guiding princi- Whether the law is harmonized depends
ples are accessible on the internet free of on the appeals system and in particular
charge: http://ris.bka.gv.at/jus. on the role of the court of last resort.
The database serves two major inter- In Austria it is one of the main tasks of
ests: Anyone seeking information about the Supreme Court to safeguard legal
the law will find additional sources of law uniformity and legal certainty. Appeals
supplementary to the statutory texts. The to the Supreme Court are subject to a fil-
public is allowed to monitor the contents ter system. The filter system guarantees
of the decisions. Publicity is one of the that the Court’s caseload is manageable
guiding principles of the Austrian proce- and that substantial points of law, in par-
dural system. ticular questions of interpretation of legal
provisions, can be brought before the Su-
preme Court.
5. Tasks of judges
But the main task lays with the judges:
The reasoning of Supreme Court deci-
The legal framework and the organi- sions must be clear and persuasive and
sational structure are only a part of the all other judges must be willing to follow
necessary requirements for an efficient the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court
harmonization of law. Equally, if not more unless they have better arguments.
important is how judges and in particular
the judges of the court of last resort are
selected and trained.
51
Christiane Schmaltz
52
Christiane Schmaltz
53
Christiane Schmaltz
суђа; али, као што је моја колегиница ма”. Очигледно, људи нису увек имали
из Аустрије нагласила – није у питању поверења у судство. Међутим, то се
контрадикторност! Нема лаких одгово- променило. Скорашња статистика по-
ра или једноставних механизама који казује да око 65% људи има висок сте-
би одржали доследност судске праксе пен поверења у немачке судове.
без угрожавања независности судија.
Него, она у великој мери зависи од нас, Желим да започнем своје излагање
од судија; уједначавање судске праксе приказом ситуације у Немачкој која се
је наша одговорност. Све што законо- тиче грађанских поступака пре него
давац може да уради је да нам стави на што истакнем посебну улогу Феде-
располагање инструменте које можемо ралног уставног суда у овом контексту.
користити да бисмо уједначили судску Намерно ограничавам своја објашње-
праксу; али неопходно је да знамо како ња на грађанске поступке јер нам то
да њима рукујемо и неопходно је да омогућава да ближе сагледамо ове
желимо њих да користимо. поступке. Међутим, механизми за ујед-
начавање судске праксе су веома слич-
Један од основних стубова владавине ни и у другим областима права, и то
права је независно судство. Друга два управног, социјалног и радног права.
основна захтева су, међутим, једнакост У кривичним поступцима, механизми
пред законом, као и једнакост у при- су различити и данас нећу о њима ра-
мени закона. Ови други елементи вла- справљати.
давине права обезбеђују доследност
у пракси судова. Ако једно независно У првом делу свог излагања објаснићу
судство трајно примењује ове елемен- систем правних лекова у грађанским
те, довешће до правне сигурности, предметима. То је систем „кочница и
како се захтева принципом правичног равнотежа” између нижих и виших
суђења садржаним у члану 6 § 1 Кон- судова који обезбеђује основу за уса-
венције о људским правима. глашену судску праксу. Према томе,
морамо разумети систем правних леко-
Према томе, једно питање је: који ме- ва како бисмо разумели механизме за
ханизми гарантују правну сигурност уједначавање судске праксе. У другом
странака у поступку док истовремено делу ћемо детаљније сагледати тре-
чувају неопходну независност суди- нутне механизме за уједначавање суд-
ја? Данас ћу вам представити немач- ске праксе. И у трећем делу објаснићу
ки приступ. Објаснићу који механизми посебну улогу коју Федерални уставни
функционишу у немачком правном си- суд игра када је у питању уједначава-
стему да обезбеде доследност судске ње судске праксе. Приказаћу пригово-
праксе и како ови механизми функ- ре које подносиоци могу да уложе уз
ционишу у пракси. Сви знамо да они своју уставну жалбу и кроз коју Уставни
нису увек функционисали у Немачкој. суд може да ревидира коришћење си-
А „проблем” са независношћу судства стема правних лекова од стране судова
илустрован је пословицом „Пред судом ниже инстанце и на тај начин доприне-
и на немирном мору сте у божјим рука- се уједначавању судске праксе.
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Legal remedies in German civil proceed- Just a note on the side: Until 2002 the
ings basically comprise the appeal, the possibility to grant leave to appeal did not
appeal on points of law and the complaint exist at all; the right to appeal always de-
against the denial to grant leave to appeal pended on the value of the claim. If that
on points of law. There is also the pos- was below 750 € the first instance deci-
sibility of a so called “leapfrog appeal”, sion would be final. This, of course, car-
which I will, however, not elaborate on ried the inherent danger of arbitrary court
today. Before getting to the actual mech- decisions. Because if judges know their
anisms safeguarding the consistency of decisions cannot be appealed - that they
the case-law, let me describe the basic have the last word so to speak - there at
principles of these remedies. least exists the risk that the decisions
are not well argued, might hold a view
not consistent with the case-law or be in
The appeal breach with procedural guarantees.
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handed down by the court hearing the question of fundamental importance can
appeal on points of law. also be referred to the Grand Senate.
Here we have the second mechanism The Joint Senate of the highest Courts
which is - you will have noticed - more of the Federation decides cases in which
or less the same as the first one but this one Federal Court wants to deviate from
time on the appeal level. the case-law of another Federal Court
and for this reason refers the case to the
The third mechanism follows immedi- Joint Senate for a decision.
ately: Different from the appeal proce-
dure the losing party can file a complaint
against the refusal of the appeal court to 3. Specific tools: Fundamental
grant leave to appeal on points of law. significance and interests in
Thus, on this level, the Federal Court of ensuring uniform adjudication
Justice, the German “supreme court” for
civil cases, which is the only competent
court for appeals on points of law, can be Now, how does all that work in practice?
asked to review the decision of the appeal Which cases are of fundamental signifi-
court not to grant leave to appeal. Howev- cance and what exactly are the “interests
er, one restriction applies: the complaint in ensuring uniform adjudication”, mean-
against the refusal to grant leave to ap- ing, in which cases must leave to appeal
peal on points of law is currently - only or leave to appeal on points of law be
admissible if the value of the claim is granted?
more than 20.000 €.
Fundamental significance
Court internal mechanisms
A case has fundamental significance if it
For the sake of completeness let me add raises a legal question which is decisive
that within each Federal Court as well as for the outcome of the case, requires fur-
among the Federal Courts - these are ther clarification and is of relevance for an
the Federal Court of Justice (for civil and indefinite number of cases, and hence of
criminal matters), the Federal Admin- overall importance. A legal question re-
istrative Court, the Federal Social Court, quires further clarification, for example,
the Federal Labor Court and the Feder- in cases in which lower courts are in dis-
al Finance Court - there exist two other agreement on how to resolve that ques-
mechanisms to harmonize the case-law: tion. In such a situation the public interest
the Grand Senates and the Joint Senate. requires a decision of the Federal Court
of Justice. That court has to give a final
If a Senate of a Federal Court wants to devi- answer, produce guiding principles which
ate from case-law of another Senate it has the lower courts can in the future apply to
to refer the case to the Grand Senate for a similar cases.
decision. A case involving a controversial
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Christiane Schmaltz
рантовати право на жалбу или право на значи? Његова сврха је – поменула сам
жалбу у вези са одредбама закона? раније – да обезбеди једнакост у при-
мени права и правне сигурности какву
штити члан 6 Европског суда за људска
Фундаментални значај права као и немачки Устав.
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Christiane Schmaltz
For example, a controversial question ciples to more or less identical cases dif-
regarding the interpretation of general fers, this is not a case of deviation. Two
terms and conditions can have funda- courts might well come to a different con-
mental significance, since such condi- clusion in similar cases - that’s part of the
tions are used not only in one contract but independence of the judiciary.
in an indefinite number of contracts. The
Federal Court of Justice has quite a num- However, “interest in ensuring uniform
ber of times dealt with the general terms adjudication” does not only apply in cas-
and conditions of mutual savings banks. es where a court departs from settled
case-law of a higher court or a court at
The “further development of the law” the same level. It will also apply in cases
which is also a reason to grant leave to where actual errors of the lower court in
appeal often coincides with the “funda- applying substantive or procedural law
mental significance”; therefore I will not require a decision of the higher court in
dwell on it any further. order to restore confidence in the courts.
However, such errors will only require
the decision of the higher court if they go
Interests in ensuring beyond the individual case and strongly
uniform adjudication affect the public interest. This is the case
if the lower court’s decision has certain
And, now, what does “interests in ensur- publicity and thus carries the danger of
ing uniform adjudication” really mean? Its “infecting” - so to speak - other decisions;
purpose is I have mentioned it earlier - to in these cases the higher court needs to
ensure equality in applying the law and le- prevent further spreading of the “faulty
gal certainty as protected by Article 6 § 1 decision”. Thus, not any error will require
ECHR as well as the German constitution. a decision of the higher court. Even re-
petitive errors usually do not make a
The question of whether to grant an ap- decision of the higher court necessary;
peal or an appeal on points of law be- unless they disclose a misunderstanding
cause of an interest in ensuring uniform or misinterpretation of the case-law of a
application is not first and foremost a higher court. Basically only permanent
question of individual justice. Rather, in- and infectious errors require a decision of
dividual justice is only protected as long the higher court.
as access to the higher court is also in the
public interest. Hence, not every wrong decision will trig-
ger an appeal or an appeal on points of
First of all, an appeal or an appeal on law. You may argue that this is not con-
points of law is granted if a lower court sistent, because every wrong decision
deviates from settled case-law. This is interferes with the uniform adjudication
the case, if the court applies an abstract since it is based on an application of le-
legal principle which is not in accordance gal rules that diverges from the - correct
with settled case-law. If on the other hand - application by all other courts. That is
only the application of standing legal prin- correct. However, if every wrong decision
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Christiane Schmaltz
одлука нижег суда има одређено ин- бу у вези са одредбама закона када је
тересовање у јавности и према томе до такве повреде дошло, помаже да
носи опасност „инфицирања” – да се се умањи број предмета Федералног
тако изразим – других одлука; у ова- уставног суда; у складу са принципом
квим случајевима је потребно да виши супсидијарности, било каква повреда
суд спречи даље ширење „погрешне уставности би требало, уколико је мо-
одлуке”. Према томе, неће свака гре- гуће, бити отклоњена од стране редов-
шка захтевати одлуку вишег суда. Чак них судова.
и грешке које се понављају не захте-
вају одлуку вишег суда; осим ако ука- На крају, све грешке о којима сам го-
зују на неразумевање или неправилно ворила само чине одлуку вишег суда
тумачење судске праксе вишег суда. У неопходном уколико је оспорена одлу-
суштини, само трајне и заразне грешке ка заснована на грешци, то јест, ако је
захтевају одлуку вишег суда. грешка одлучујућа по исход предмета,
који би највероватније био другачији
Према томе, неће свака погрешна да суд није начинио поменуту грешку.
одлука иницирати жалбу или жалбу Верујем, али ме исправите ако грешим,
у вези са одредбама закона. Можете да је ово посебност немачког закона.
рећи да ови није конзистетно, јер сва- У многим предметима, не отклањамо
ка погрешна одлука омета јединствено било које грешке судова које се не од-
пресуђивање јер је заснована на при- носе на исход предмета.
мени правних правила која одступају
од – правилне – примене од стране
свих других судова. То је тачно. Ме- Преглед
ђутим, ако би свака погрешна одлука
могла и морала да буде ревидирана Сада, све је ово било углавном технич-
од стране апелационих судова и Феде- ки. Да сумирам: жалбу и посебно жал-
ралног суда правде, правилно спрово- бу у вези са одредбама закона би тре-
ђење правде би било угрожено јер ови бало да буде гарантована у случају да
судови не би више могли да савладају предмет поставља спорно питање од
своје оптерећење предметима. фундаменталног значаја које је одлу-
чујуће по исход предмета.
Што се тиче повреда процедуралних
права гарантованих немачким уставом, Такође, ако је нижи суд начинио грешку
ситуација је мало другачија. Повреде – материјалну или процесну – која ће
права на изјашњење или права на слу- се по свој прилици проширити и тиме
чајног судију, као и повреда забране вероватно наштетити поверењу људи у
доношења абритрерних одлука увек судове, право на жалбу би требало да
захтевају одлуку вишег суда. Разлог за буде дозвољено. У погледу повреда
то је чињеница да обично такав про- процедуралних права које гарантује
цедурални недостатак може нарушити немачки устав, она увек оправдавају
свеукупно поверење у судство. Такође, жалбу или жалбу у вези са одредбама
обезбеђење права на жалбу или жал- закона. Коначно – и очигледно – право
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Christiane Schmaltz
could and had to be reviewed by the appeal ticular an appeal on points of law should be
courts and the Federal Court of Justice the granted if the case raises a controversial
proper administration of justice would be question of fundamental importance which
endangered because those courts could is decisive for the outcome of the case.
no longer handle their case load.
Also, if the lower court has made an er-
With regard to violations of procedural ror - substantive or procedural - which
rights guaranteed by the German con- is likely to spread and thereby will like-
stitution, the situation is a bit different. ly impair the people’s confidence in the
Breaches of the right to be heard or the courts, leave to appeal should be grant-
right to a legally competent judge as well ed. As regards violations of procedural
as a violation of the prohibition of arbi- rights guaranteed by the German consti-
trary decisions always require a decision tution, these always justify an appeal or
of the higher court. The reason for that an appeal on points of law. Finally - and
is, that in general any such procedural obviously -, an appeal is also granted if
defect potentially damages the overall the lower court deviated from principles
confidence in the judiciary. Also, granting settled in the case-law.
the appeal or the appeal on points of law
when such a violation has occurred helps If these mechanisms do not work - for
to minimize the caseload of the Federal whatever reason - the German legal
Constitutional Court; in accordance with system provides for yet another, special
the principle of subsidiarity any breaches remedy, the constitutional complaint.
of the constitution should, if possible, be And that is what in my opinion holds all
remedied by the regular courts. of this together; it’s sort of a “safety net”.
The Federal Constitutional Court takes an
Finally, all the errors I have been talking outside view; it reviews the cases from a
about only make a decision of the higher constitutional perspective. And it can put
court necessary if the challenged decision “rebellious” judges back in line, thereby
is based on the error, that is, if the error marking the outer limits of judicial inde-
is decisive for the outcome of the case, pendence. Because even judicial inde-
which would most likely be different if the pendence is not illimitable; it is embedded
court had not committed that error. I be- in a system of effective judicial protection,
lieve, but please correct me if I am wrong, a system of interlocking interests which
that this is a specialty of German law. In need to be balanced - among others the
most cases we do not remedy any errors independence of the judiciary, equal pro-
committed by courts which are not rele- tection before the law and the right to effi-
vant for the outcome of the case. cient and effective judicial protection.
Summary
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Christiane Schmaltz
на жалбу се такође гарантује ако нижи ног суда правде који одбацује притужбе
суд одступа од принципа уређених суд- против одбијања одлуке да се допусти
ском праксом. право на жалбу у вези са одредбама
закона. Док у овим другим случајевима
Ако ови механизми не функционишу – странке у поступку бар добију одлуку
из било којег разлога – немачки прав- највишег грађанског суда, ова одлука је
ни систем омогућава још један, посе- само процедуралне природе, а не одлу-
бан, правни лек, уставни приговор. И ка о меритуму њихових захтева.
управо је то оно што по мом мишљењу
држи све ово на окупу; то је нека вр- Овде Федерални уставни суд ступа на
ста „сигурносне мреже”. Федерални сцену. Постоје различити начини да се
уставни суд посматра изван; разматра ове коначне одлуке грађанских судова
предмете из уставне перспективе. По- испитају пред Уставним судом, према
што чак ни судијска независност није томе и различити начини да суд обез-
неограничена, уткана је у систем ефи- беди доследност судске праксе.
касне судске заштите, систем међу-
собно повезаних интереса који морају Вероватно најчешћа примедба јесте да
бити избалансирани – између осталог, је одлука грађанског суда арбитрер-
независност судства, једнака заштита на и тако представља повреду права
пред законом и право на ефикасну и на једнаку заштиту пред законом. Ова
делотворну судску заштиту. примедба оспорава одлуку грађанских
судова по питању меритума. Међутим,
праг арбитрерности је тешко достићи.
4. Улога Федералног Није свака погрешна одлука арбитрер-
уставног суда на, чак ни очигледно погрешна одлука
не мора нужно бити арбитрерна. Одлу-
ка је арбитрерна само ако једноставно
Као што смо видели, има одлука које не постоји начин да се оправда приме-
су коначне и не могу бити ревидира- на закона већ – чак – указује на то да
не од стране више инстанце. Посебно одлука почива на небитним околно-
говорим о пресудама месних судова стима; преовладавајуће правне норме
који одлучују по захтевима који се тичу морају бити грубо погрешно схваћене.
вредности мањих од 600€. Ако месни
суд не гарантује право жалбе, ове одлу- Приговор да је право на изјашњење
ке су коначне; а право на жалбу није повређено такође се тиче меритума
често гарантовано. Такође говорим и о захтева. Странка у поступку је убеђена
пресудама апелационог суда са спор- да би исход предмета био другачији
ним износима од мање од 20.000€ које да је суд узео у обзир његове/њене
су такође коначне, осим ако апелацио- тврдње и његове/њене доказе. Опре-
ни суд гарантује право на жалбу у вези дељујућа одлика овог приговора је да
са одредбама закона. А ови судови та- странка у поступку мора да уложи при-
кође нерадо дозвољавају такво право. говор на повреду права на изјашњење
Коначно, говорим о одлукама Федерал- прво пред редовним судом пре него
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stance court. These complaints will be that his judgment would be reversed on
successful if the refusal of the lower court appeal, was in breach of the right to effec-
to grant leave to appeal was arbitrary, or tive judicial protection. The arbitrary deni-
if the denial is not reasoned even though al to grant leave to appeal had barred the
the fact, that leave to appeal should be applicant from the constitutionally guar-
granted was more or less evident. anteed recourse to the courts.
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Christiane Schmaltz
Поврх тога, ту су и други – меки – меха- област у којој Немачкој није – до сада
низми који помажу да се обезбеди да – требао надзор Стразбура.
ће већина судија правилно применити
механизме о којима смо расправљали. На крају, али не и најмање важно, не
Већина њих се заснива на људским сме се заборавити да, као још један
слабостима. Судије, као већина дру- механизам за уједначавање судске
гих људи, не воле када нису у праву и, праксе у Немачкој, постоји могућност
према томе, не воле да буду надгласа- или – за судове крајње инстанце –
ни. При праћењу судске праксе других обавеза да се обрате Европском суду
судова и при правилној примени поме- правде ако се појави питање тумачења
нутих механизама, у мањој су опасноси закона Европске уније.
да им виши судови преиначе одлуке; то
је разлог због којег понекад прате суд-
ску праксу иако знају да је погрешна. 7. Закључак
Немачки систем унапређивања унутар
судства такође помаже; оцене ће веро-
ватно бити боље ако су ваше пресуде У овом кратком приказу, покушала сам
потврђене по жалби или бар нису увек да вам дам приказ немачких правила
преиначене. Даље, мање је посла об- која имају за циљ да се судска пракса
разложити пресуду тако што се једно- одржи доследном. Међутим, то уопште
ставно прати судска пракса вишег суда није толико једноставно као приме-
него што се расправља зашто се жели на исправних механизама или рад са
одступити од одлуке вишег суда. правим средствима. Најбољи механи-
зми или најефикаснија средства неће
Али, коначно, и у вероватно већини слу- функционисати ако су погрешно упо-
чајева, судије су једноставно убеђене требљени.
да је судска пракса виших судова тачна.
Ако не желимо да се ослањамо ис-
кључиво на меке механизме, који су у
6. Европски суд за људска највећој мери засновани на људским
права и упућивање на слабостима, потребан нам је прави став
Европски суд правде међу судијама. Судије морају да буду
свесне своје одговорности! И док је су-
дијска независност драгоцена и треба-
Такође је требало да говорим о улози ло би очувати је по сваку цену, судије
Европског суда за људска права у ујед- такође морају да имају интерес страна-
начавању судске праксе у Немачкој. ка у виду. Ми као припадници судства
Међутим, не знам ни за једну одлуку не би требало да тражимо размирице,
или пресуду Суда у Стразбуру у којој расправе, са вишим судовима за рачун
је тај суд указао на недостатке који се људи који се обраћају судовима, и тиме
тичу недостатка уједначености судске нама, са својим проблемима. Морамо
праксе у Немачкој. Наводно, ово је да будемо свесни да правна сигурност
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Christiane Schmaltz
But finally, and in hopefully most of the If we do not want to rely solely on the soft
cases, judges are simply convinced that mechanisms, which for the most part are
the case-law of the higher court is correct. based on human weaknesses, we need the
right attitude among judges. Judges need
to be aware of their responsibility! And
6. European Court of Human while judicial independence is precious and
Rights and Referral to the ECJ should be guarded at all costs judges also
need to keep the interests of the litigants
in mind. We as members of the judiciary
I was also supposed to talk about the role should not look for a fight, an argument,
of the European Court of Human Rights in with the higher courts at the expense of
the harmonization of case-law in Germa- the people who turn to the courts and thus
ny. However, I know of not one decision to us with their problems. We need to be
or judgment of the Strasbourg Court in mindful that legal certainty with regard to
which that court pointed out deficiencies the practice of the courts serves the benefit
as regards a lack of harmonization of the of society and thus all of us.
case-law in Germany. Apparently, this is
one area in which Germany has - so far If we disagree with the higher courts, we
- not needed the European supervision of should do so explicitly, in a transparent
Strasbourg. way and by allowing the parties to chal-
lenge our understanding of a legal norm
Last but not least, one should not forget, before the higher courts - namely by al-
as yet another mechanism for the har- lowing an appeal or an appeal on points
monization of case-law in Germany, that of law. In the end, the better argument
there is a possibility or - for the last in- should win. Do not get me wrong, I do not
stance courts - the obligation to refer a want all lower courts to slavishly follow
case to the European Court of Justice if the higher courts case-law; that would
questions arise regarding the interpreta- lead to a petrification of the case-law to
tion of European Union law. the detriment of society. On the contrary,
lower courts should question the case-
law and challenge it if they can claim
7. Conclusion the better argument for themselves. In
fact, lower courts have a responsibility
to question the higher courts case-law,
In this short presentation I have tried to namely in order to develop the case-
give you an overview of the German rules law and to adapt it to social changes;
which are aimed at keeping the case-law but - again - such challenges should only
consistent. However, it really is not as be brought with good arguments and
simple as applying the correct mecha- well-considered, not because of a politi-
nisms or working with the right tools. The cal agenda. And, if we want to enter into a
best mechanisms and the most efficient dialogue with the higher courts, we need
tools will not work if they are misapplied. to give them a chance to answer and
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Christiane Schmaltz
по питању праксе судова служи добро- Тако да, на крају, ипак је судијски став
бити друштва и према томе свима нама. тај који је важан и који прави разлику!
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Christiane Schmaltz
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