Judicial System and Prosecution
This domain tests judicial independence and the prosecutor’s constitutional role.
Courts
Judges are independent and subject only to law. The court system includes district courts, regional courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court; specialised courts may be created by law. The Constitutional Court is separate from the ordinary judiciary and does not hear criminal appeals. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Seimas on the President’s proposal; other judges are appointed by the President under statutory procedure.
Prosecution
The Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes criminal cases, supervises investigation and performs other functions set by law. The Prosecutor General is appointed and dismissed by the President with Seimas approval.
Worked example. A minister telephones a judge and asks for a favourable ruling. The judge must decide independently and ignore the request. Judicial independence protects the judge from executive instruction; the minister’s call is not a lawful source of law.
Traps. The prosecution service is part of the courts - false; it is a separate constitutional institution. The Constitutional Court hears ordinary criminal appeals - false. Judges serve at the President’s pleasure - false; removal requires constitutional grounds and procedure. A ministerial instruction can bind a judge - false.