The courts of Liechtenstein
The order of precedence, in ascending order is as follows:[1]
- Regional court
- Higher court
- Supreme court
Public law
- Administrative court
- State court[2]
Appointment of judges
The Prince has the overall power to appoint the nation's judges.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Liechtenstein is the highest judicial body in Liechtenstein. Under the Constitution of Liechtenstein.[3], all courts were brought under Liechtenstein control. Previously, the court of Appeal was based in Vienna, Austria.
The Supreme court is one of three courts and is the third and final Court.[4] It exercises power over both civil and criminal matters. In 2020 it handled over 128 cases[5]
The court is made up of 3 Judges and a President who both regulate each other.[3]
Constitutional Court
The Constitutional court was established in 1921, the first of its kind in Europe. The court consists of a president and 4 judges.[6]
Under article 96 of the Liechtenstein Constitution, the Prince appoints half of the Judges and Parliament the other half.
The court rules on Constitutional rights, European Court of Human Rights issues and EEA rights. Both corporations and humans are able to appeal to the court. The court is also able to assess parliamentary legislation and nullify unconstitutional laws. Citizens are able to petition the court to review the law, as long as 100 citizens support the motion. The Constitutional Court also decides upon conflicts of jurisdiction between administrative and judicial authorities, as well as upon impeachment proceedings against ministers and electoral disputes.[6]
State Court
The State Court rules on the conformity of laws with the constitution and has five members elected by parliament.
References
- ^ "Organisation of the judicial system".
- ^ "European Databases | Princely courts of Liechtenstein".
- ^ a b Europe, Council of (27 November 2002). "CONSTITUTION OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN INCORPORATING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BY THE PRINCELY HOUSE AND DETAILING THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE "CITIZENS' INITIATIVE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL PEACE"*".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Tools, Legal Research. "European Databases | Princely courts of Liechtenstein".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Entscheidungen der liechtensteinischen Gerichte". www.gerichtsentscheidungen.li. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
- ^ a b "Competences of the Constitutional Court".