The court structure in the Czech Republic comprises 89 district courts, eight regional courts and the Supreme Court.
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District courts, regional courts, high courts and the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic are responsible for judging civil cases.
District courts hear and judge disputes and other legal cases arising from civil, employment, family and commercial relationships whenever no other court has material jurisdiction over them under the law.
Other matters that are not of a private nature (e.g. on the appointment and dismissal of arbitrators, on the annulment of an arbitration award, etc.) are to be heard and judged by the district courts in civil proceedings where the law so provides.
Cases that fall within the jurisdiction of a district court are usually ruled upon by a judge sitting alone.
Where the law so determines, employment and other matters are heard by a chamber consisting of a judge and two lay judges.
Regional courts act as courts of first instance in cases and disputes referred to in Sections 9(2) and 9a of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Proceedings before a regional court as a court of first instance are heard and ruled upon by a single judge; a chamber consisting of a president of chamber and two judges hears and rules on proceedings at first instance where the law so provides.
The Supreme Court rules at first instance on the basis of Section 51 of Act No 91/2012 on private international law. In those circumstances, the Supreme Court recognises the final rulings of foreign courts.
The Supreme Court sits as a chamber or a Grand Chamber.
Where district courts hear the case at first instance, a regional court is the court of appeal (second-instance court).
Where regional courts hear the case at first instance, the high courts act as the courts of appeal.
The high court sits as a chamber consisting of a president of chamber and two judges unless there are separate legal provisions to the contrary.
Legislation of the Czech Republic can be found on the official portal of the Czech government.
Yes, only this portal provides legislative texts free of charge.
District courts, regional courts, high courts and the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic are responsible for judging criminal cases.
Unless Act No 141/1961 on criminal proceedings determines otherwise, proceedings at first instance take place at the district court.
Criminal proceedings before a court are ruled upon by a chamber of judges or a single judge; the president of chamber or the single judge decides alone only where this is expressly provided for by law. District court chambers are composed of a president of chamber and two lay judges. A president of chamber or a judge may act as a single judge. Only a judge may act as president of chamber.
Regional courts hear proceedings at first instance regarding criminal offences in respect of which the law provides for a sentence of at least five years’ imprisonment, or where an exceptional sentence may be imposed. Regional courts also act as courts of first instance in respect of criminal offences referred to in Section 17(1) of the Criminal Proceedings Act even if the minimum prison sentence is lower.
Regional courts act in chambers. A single judge rules in cases provided for in the laws on proceedings before the courts.
Regional court chambers are composed of
A president of chamber or a judge may act as a single judge. Only a judge may act as president of chamber.
The higher regional court decides on appeals against judgments of a district court. The superior high court decides on appeals against judgments of a regional court at first instance.
The high court sits as a chamber consisting of a president of chamber and two judges unless there are separate legal provisions to the contrary.
The role of the judiciary in administrative matters is to protect the individual rights of natural and legal persons under public law.
This role is fulfilled by administrative courts. These are specialised chambers within the system of regional courts that act as courts of first instance.
Administrative courts are composed of: the president of the regional court, vice-presidents and judges. Individual cases are heard by a chamber composed of three judges.
Administrative courts adjudicate on
The Supreme Administrative Court is the administrative court of last instance and consists of the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, vice-presidents and judges. Individual cases are usually heard by a chamber composed of three judges.
Aside from hearing appeals, the Supreme Administrative Court decides on the dissolution of a political party or of a political movement, the suspension or resumption of their activities, on matters of jurisdiction and on the revocation of measures of a general nature or part thereof. The further substantive jurisdiction of the Supreme Administrative Court is laid down in specific laws.
Further details on the website European Judicial Atlas in Civil Matters - Judicial system of the Czech Republic.
Further information can be found on the website: Nejvyšší správní soud (Supreme Administrative Court).
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