Case law as the state family policy formation instrument
Mykolo Romerio universitetas |
Date Issued |
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2009 |
Apibendrinant atliktą tyrimą daroma išvada, kad teismų praktika gali būti veiksmingas ir patikimas valstybinės šeimos politikos formavimo instrumentas šiuolaikinėje greitai besikeičiančioje visuomenėje. Straipsnyje keliama mintis ir dėl teismų praktikos pranašumų šioje srityje: ji visuomet yra lankstesnė ir labiau orientuota į žmogų, o esant įstatymų leidėjo darbo brokui, ji yra pajėgi operatyviai užkirsti kelią žmogaus teisių pažeidimams.
The aim of the present article is to explain the role of the judiciary in forming the family policy in Lithuania. For this purpose in the first part of the article the legal basis for the state family policy formation is discussed. The conclusion is drawn that the judiciary is not separated from the formation of the family policy by any constitutional means. The article further describes how this function is actually implemented by the judiciary. The actual influence of the judiciary is demonstrated by an analysis of the Lithuanian case law in three different areas: dissolution of marriage, child maintenance and the protection of the rights of children born outside marriage. The results of the analysis suggest that the influence of the judiciary on the state family policy works in diverse ways: when filling in legal gaps overlooked by the legislator; determining specific criteria which are important to the state family policy (while the legislator has determined only general principles); introducing international human rights standards in the national legal system, etc. One of the most controversial ways for the case law to influence the state family policy is through the modification of the legal regulation models prescribed by the laws.