National ordinary courts

Slovenia

This section provides you with information on the organisation of ordinary courts in Slovenia.

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Slovenia

Ordinary courts

Under Article 98 of the Courts Act, the ordinary courts in Slovenia include:

  • local courts (okrajna sodišča),
  • district courts (okrožna sodišča),
  • higher courts (višja sodišča),
  • the Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia (Vrhovno sodišče) (hereinafter ‘the Supreme Court’).

Jurisdiction of local courts

Under Article 99 of the Courts Act, local courts in Slovenia have jurisdiction in the following matters:

Criminal matters

  1. To adjudicate at first instance on criminal offences that are punishable by a fine or a term of up to three years imprisonment, except where they concern criminal defamation offences committed by the press, via radio, television or other means of public information
  2. To investigate criminal offences as described above
  3. To perform other tasks determined by statute

Civil matters

To adjudicate or decide at first instance:

  1. In civil cases in accordance with the Civil Procedure Act
  2. In succession and other non-contentious matters, unless otherwise determined by statute, and in respect of the land register
  3. In matters of the enforcement and securing of claims, unless otherwise determined by statute.

Other matters

Adjudicating or deciding on other matters, where determined by statute.

Legal aid

To deal with matters involving legal aid where other courts have no statutory jurisdiction, and to deal with international legal aid in cases of minor offences.

Jurisdiction of district courts

Under Article 101 of the Courts Act, district courts in Slovenia have jurisdiction in the following matters:

Criminal matters

  1. To adjudicate at first instance on criminal offences that do not fall under the jurisdiction of local courts.
  2. To carry out an investigation or investigatory actions concerning criminal offences (as described at point 1 above).
  3. To conduct preliminary proceedings and adjudicate at first instance on criminal offences committed by minors.
  4. To decide at first instance on the enforcement of a criminal judgment issued by a foreign court.
  5. To execute criminal judgments (arising from points 1, 3 and 4 above) and to execute the criminal judgments of local courts.
  6. To decide on permission to interfere with human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  7. To reach decisions in a pre-trial chamber (also in criminal matters falling within the jurisdiction of local courts).
  8. To perform other tasks determined by statute.
  9. To exercise supervision in respect of the lawful and correct treatment of convicts and supervision of detainees.

Specialised departments of the (district) courts are responsible for dealing with the tasks in points 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 in more complex cases involving organised and economic crime, terrorism, corruption and other such criminal activities.

Civil matters

To adjudicate or decide at first instance:

  1. In civil matters in accordance with the Civil Procedure Act
  2. On recognition of the decisions of foreign courts
  3. In cases of compulsory settlement, bankruptcy and liquidation when it is within the court’s jurisdiction, and in connected disputes
  4. In disputes concerning intellectual property rights
  5. On proposals for issuing interim measures filed prior to the commencement of a dispute, on which the court will decide in line with the rules on economic disputes, matters in which the arbitration jurisdiction has been agreed and applications for interim relief in intellectual property matters.
  6. In non-contentious proceedings where determined by statute.

Other matters

  • Keeping the commercial register.
  • Adjudicating or deciding on other matters, where determined by statute.
  • To deal with matters involving legal aid in civil, criminal and other matters.
  • Dealing with international legal aid.

Jurisdiction of higher courts

Under Article 104 of the Courts Act, higher courts have jurisdiction in the following areas:

  1. To adjudicate or decide at second instance on appeals against decisions of local and district courts in their territory
  2. To decide on jurisdiction disputes between local or district courts in their territory, and to decide on the transfer of jurisdiction to another local or district court in their territory
  3. To perform other tasks determined by statute.

Legal databases

Name and URL of the database

Sodstvo Republike Slovenije (Courts of the Republic of Slovenia)

Is access to the database free of charge?

Yes access to the database is free of charge.

Brief description of content

Sodstvo Republike Slovenije (Courts of the Republic of Slovenia) gives you access to several databases, such as:

  • Judicial system of the Republic of Slovenia
  • Judicial administration
  • Public registers (land registers, judicial register).

Related links:

List of courts

Last update: 16/04/2020

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