FAQ

Which court decisions can I appeal to the Supreme Court of Lithuania?

Only decisions, rulings, and judgments reviewed by a court of appellate instance can be appealed in cassation proceedings.

What is the deadline for filing a cassation appeal?

A cassation appeal must be filed within three months from the date a final judgment, decision or ruling becomes legally binding. However, in civil cases there are some exceptions – a deadline of one month applies to appeals against appellate court rulings that remit the case for retrial in a court of first instance, as well as in public procurement or concession-related cases.

How much is the stamp fee for filing a cassation appeal?

No stamp fee is required for cassation appeals in criminal cases. In civil cases, the stamp fee is the same as required for filing a lawsuit. The specific amounts are set out in Article 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

How long does it take to decide on the admissibility of a cassation appeal?

There is no legally defined timeframe. The duration depends on various factors, such as the scope of the appeal and the complexity of the legal issues raised, etc.

Can I supplement my cassation appeal?

A cassation appeal can only be supplemented until the selection panel decides on its admissibility. Once this decision is made, the appeal cannot be supplemented or modified.

Can the deadline for filing a cassation appeal be extended?

No. However, a request for term renewal may be submitted if the deadline was missed due to reasons deemed significant by the Court.

What is the timeframe for the Supreme Court of Lithuania to issue and announce a ruling?

In criminal cases, the ruling must be announced as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days from the hearing date. In civil cases, the ruling must be announced within 30 days from the hearing day.

Can I take photos or record a court hearing?

Filming, taking pictures, making audio or video recordings, broadcasting the hearing, or using other technical means during the Court session is prohibited, except as provided in Article 38 of the Law on Courts.

Can a party to the proceedings attend a court hearing remotely?

To attend the Court hearing remotely, a motivated request must be submitted to the panel of judges hearing the case, which will then decide whether such participation is permitted.

Can I bring my child to the court hearing?

Persons under the age of sixteen are not allowed into the courtroom unless they are involved in the case (as participants, defendants, victims, or witnesses).

Can a ruling issued by the Supreme Court of Lithuania be appealed?

No, rulings issued by the Supreme Court of Lithuania are final and cannot be appealed.

Can I find Court decisions online?

Anonymized versions of Court decisions can be found in the public search section of the LITEKO (the Lithuanian courts’ information) system. They are also published in the Legal Acts Register (E-TAR).

I am considering filing a cassation appeal. Can the Supreme Court of Lithuania advise me on this matter?

The Supreme Court of Lithuania does not provide legal consultations.

Where can I seek legal consultation and assistance?

For legal consultation, you can contact lawyers (advocates) and legal service providers.

For free legal consultation (primary legal aid) under the Law on State-Guaranteed Legal Aid of the Republic of Lithuania, you may apply to the municipal executive authority based on your place of residence. Individuals held in detention facilities can apply based on their place of imprisonment or pre-trial detention.

For free or partially funded legal representation in court and the preparation of procedural documents (secondary legal aid) under the Law on State-Guaranteed Legal Aid, you can apply to the State Guaranteed Legal Aid Service (Odminių 3, 01122 Vilnius).

State-guaranteed primary and secondary legal aid services can also be accessed online through the Legal Services Information System (TEISIS) at www.teisis.lt.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a method of resolving disputes with the help of a neutral third party (known as a mediator). If an agreement is reached, a settlement agreement is signed.

How will my identity be verified at Court? What documents do I need?

If you visit the Court in person, you must present an official identity document.

If you call, identity is usually verified using:

- name, surname, and the last four digits of your personal identification number;

- case number, name, and surname.