Recent significant developments in the judicial field since December 2016 in Lithuania

1.      The amendments of the Code of Criminal procedure were adopted while implementing the following directives:

-          directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings;

-          directive 2013/48/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings, and on the right to have a third party informed upon deprivation of liberty and to communicate with third persons and with consular authorities while deprived of liberty.

2.      The Law on Mutual Recognition and Implementation of the Judicial Decisions of the EU Member States was amended while implementing the directive on the European directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters. The order replaces the request for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in the EU (with some exceptions).

3.      The new Labour Code shall come into force from July 1, 2017. The aim is to simplify the procedures of labour law, making it more flexible, as well as to leave security measures for employees in other legal acts.

4.      On the 1of January, 2017 came in force the new Code of Administrative Offenses. It changed an old code which was in force more than 30 years.The separation of criminal and administrative liability now is clearer. Some offenses - driving drunk (more than 1,5 promilie of alcohol), storage of small quantities of drugs, resistance to a police officer are considered as a crimes and are incorporated in the Criminal Code. Also is abolished penalty type – administrative arrest. There are some other novelties.Institution dealing with the cases of administrative offenses may obligate a person to participate in the prevention, resocialization, improving communication with children, directed against violence programs, to repay for damage, prohibit attending some public events. Also there are extended opportunities to infringer benevolently pay a half of the fine (e. g., fine no more than 1500 Eur; the violation was committed for the first time).

Laima Garneliene

Judge of the Court of Appeal

of Lithuania