Lithuanian Court System

THE SUPREME COURT OF LITHUANIA

The Supreme Court of Lithuania is the only court of cassation for judgements, decisions, rulings and decrees of courts of general competence. It forms uniform case law through the interpretation and application of laws and other legislation.

COURT OF APPEAL OF LITHUANIA

The Court of Appeal of Lithuania is an appellate instance for cases that were examined by district courts as courts of first instance, it also examines applications for the recognition and enforcement of decisions of foreign and international courts and arbitration in Lithuania, and performs other functions assigned to the competence of this court by laws. Th e Chairperson of the Court of Appeal of Lithuania organizes and controls the administrative activities of regional courts in accordance with the procedure established by laws.

REGIONAL COURTS

The regional court is the first instance that hears criminal and civil cases assigned to its competence by law, as well as the appellate instance for judgements, decisions, and rulings of district courts. The Chairperson of the regional court organizes and controls the administrative activities of the district courts in the territory of their activity in accordance with the procedure established by law

DISTRICT COURTS

The district court is the first instance that examines criminal, civil, and administrative offences cases (assigned to the competence of this court by laws), cases assigned to the competence of mortgage judges, and cases related to the enforcement of decisions and judgements. District court judges also perform functions of pre-trial investigation judge and other functions assigned to the competence of the district court by laws.

In addition to general jurisdiction courts, there are courts of special jurisdiction – Regional Administrative Court and the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania.