<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The article analyses and evaluates the proposal to amend the regulations concerning the penalty of deprivation of liberty that consists in the eradication of the fixed penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment from the catalogue of penalties laid down in Criminal Code and exceeding the upper time limit of the penalty of deprivation of liberty from up to 15 to up to 30 years. The article presents the opinions of the doctrine and the judicature on the nature and function of the penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment and other penalties of deprivation of liberty, points out practical difficulties indicated in the literature that are connected with the imposition of the fixed penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment in case of perpetrators cooperating in the commission of crime, and presents proposals to amend the regulations by means of successive CC amendment bills from 2000 up to now, as well as the opinion of the doctrine on the proposed changes. The considerations presented in the article lead to the conclusion that neither the proposal to eliminate the fixed penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment nor exceeding the so-called standard penalty of deprivation of liberty to 30 years deserves approval.
</abstract>

On the Proposal to Change the Upper Limit on the Penalty of Deprivation of Liberty and Abandon the Penalty of 25 Years’ Imprisonment

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Upskirting consists in taking photographs or videotaping beneath women’s dresses or skirts, usually secretly. In accordance with Polish criminal law, the conduct matches the features of recording the image of a naked person under Article 191a § 1 CC only in extraordinary situations. Usually, a perpetrator is liable for a misdemeanour under Article 51 § 1 MC or Article 140 MC. On the other hand, many foreign legislations, inter alia England, Wales and Germany, have recently introduced criminal regulations penalising upskirting. A comparative legal analysis shows that the scope of application of Section 67A of the English Sexual Offences Act 2003 is much narrower than that of § 184k of the German Criminal Code. However, none of the countries has avoided errors in regulating upskirting. Based on their experiences, the following proposals de lege ferenda are formulated. It is necessary to introduce a new type of a prohibited act penalising recording and dissemination of an image of genitals, buttocks and underwear covering those body parts if they are hidden from third persons’ eyesight. However, the parts of body protected by this provision should not include breasts. The requirement of a perpetrator’s special motive laid down in the English regulation is disapproved. Moreover, the introduction of liability for acts other than recording or dissemination of such images like in the German law is criticised.
</abstract>

Upskirting in Polish, English, Welsh and German Law: Penalisation of Secretly Taking Photographs or Videotaping Beneath Clothing

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The publication is devoted to the issue of adopting an adult. Under the Polish legislation in force, only a minor may be adopted. The study considers the legitimacy of introducing regulations allowing the adoption of adults to the family and guardianship code. It was pointed out that such solutions were in force in earlier Polish legislation. The proposals of the Human Rights Defender submitted in this respect were presented. In an attempt to support the legitimacy of the postulate to introduce into the Polish legal system legal norms allowing the possibility of adopting an adult, reference was also made to selected foreign legal systems guaranteeing this type of possibility.
</abstract>

Adopting an Adult Person – Postulates de Lege Ferenda

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

According to the well-established Supreme Court’s case law, the civil court is entitled to determine independently whether a tort constitutes a criminal offence even in the absence of a final judgement of conviction. This opinion was expressed by the Supreme Court for the purpose of applying the extended limitation period under Article 4421 § 2 of the Civil Code for claims for a tort that is a crime. The Supreme Court’s statement raises doubts on the grounds of the presumption of innocence. The purpose of this article is firstly to present the standard concerning the scope of the presumption of innocence in civil proceedings, created by the European Court of Human Rights on the basis of Article 6 § 2 of the ECHR, according to which everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law. Then it is the assessment of the compatibility of the Supreme Court’s opinion through the perspective of the Convention standard.
</abstract>

The Possibility for a Civil Court to Independently Determine that a Tort is a Crime – Comments in the Light of Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights Regarding Presumption of Innocence

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The article is aimed at resolving a research problem on the basis of two methods: the axiological method and formal-dogmatic method, it also finds the answer to the question: what were the reasons which made the institution of limitation weak in terms of its axiological establishment within the civil law. The axiology of limitation consists of protection of the debtor. Creditor may withhold obligation by means of plea that the action was time-barred, it deprives creditor from the opportunity to claim the obligation. The shape of the given regulation makes the safety of the civil turnover jeopardised. The argumentation and the conclusions show clearly that limitation can both foster and prevent the stability of the civil turnover. This fact is a clear indication that the institution of limitation indeed shows its weakness in terms of its axiological establishment within the civil law.
</abstract>

Axiology of the Limitation of Liability

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The purpose of this study was to analyse and assess the accuracy and completeness of the solutions introduced to the provisions of the Civil Code under the amendment of December 2, 2021 in the scope regarding the effects of mediation and submitting an invitation to a settlement attempt for the running of the limitation period for claims. The paper presents the leading views of science and judicature presented before the amendment which formed a basis for further considerations regarding the amended law. The analysis carried out with the use of the formal-dogmatic method made it possible to confirm the hypothesis about the accuracy and completeness of the amendment in regard with the issue concerning invitation to a settlement attempt.
The legal norm introduced into the provisions of the Civil Code is exhaustive and allows a precise determination of the period for which the limitation period is suspended. The opposite conclusion can be drawn from the analysis of the solution to the issue of the effects of submitting a request for mediation. In this case, the regulation provided for by the legislator does not provide a sufficient answer to the question of when the period of suspension of the limitation period commences and ends. Thus, there is no precise regulation that would dispel doubts as to what specific circumstances determine the suspension of the limitation period.
</abstract>

Suspension of the Limitation Period in Civil Law in the Light of the Amendment of December, 2021

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Liberalization of air transport services and changes in the external transportation policy of the EU caused that the economic regulation of the market is also changing. As a result, the standards that are in force based on bilateral agreements and laying down restrictive attitude towards access to the market of air transport are breached. The scope of regulations covered in international aviation agreements is also widened by the addition of issues that were subject to those agreements to a limited extent if at all. The article analyses those changes and evaluates them from the perspective of the regulation of access to aviation services among various states’ economies.
</abstract>

Economic Regulation of Air Transport in the Light of the Changing Legal Environment

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

In this paper, I analyse problem of interpretation of the Constitution in American doctrine. Starting point is the distinction between the concept of Originalism and Living Constitution. The author briefly presents the main assumptions of both concepts. On that background examines the concept by Jack M. Balkin. He described it as Living Originalism. Balkin in his theory combines the best of traditional Originalism and concept of Living Constitution. He combined Dworkin’s “moral reading” of the Constitution with traditional Originalism. For Balkin, Originalism is seen as a initial framework for governance (framework originalism). From Ronald Dworkin, he adopted a distinction between legal rules and legal principles, and the argument that principles express values. Balkin described his concept of Originalism as “method of text and principle”.
</abstract>

Between <italic>Originalism</italic> and <italic>Living Constitution</italic> – Jack M. Balkin Concept of Interpretation of the Constitution

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The article discusses the issues concerning the influence of the Polish legislative power on the functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal that started in the autumn of 2015. The analysis covers all legal acts passed between 2015 and 2017 that introduced changes in the structure and functioning of the Constitutional Tribunal and modified the status of its judges. The research made use of the innovative method devised by Professor Paweł Chmielnicki, which consists in the examination of substantial sources of law, i.e. real reasons for passing a given statute. The analysis covers, inter alia, materials developed by a group of specialists, including the author, employed by the Centre for Legislative Process Research at Lazarski University. The article shows that the changes in the Constitutional Tribunal do not serve to exercise citizens’ rights. They aim to strengthen the political authorities (the Parliament and its emanation, the Government) at the judicial power expense. It matches the general tendency visible after the 2015 parliamentary election targeted at weakening the position of the judiciary and personal influence of the legislative on this power. The activities do not follow the constitutional rule of separation of powers and are in conflict with the principle of separation and independence of courts and tribunals guaranteed by the Constitution. Taking into account the fact that authorities change in the conditions of a democratic system, the only panacea for the restoration of the shape and prestige of the Constitutional Tribunal is the change of the authorities. There will be an opportunity for that in the autumn of 2023.
</abstract>

Subjection of the Constitutional Tribunal to the Organs of Political Authorities in Poland After 2015: Contribution to Considerations

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The article is aimed at analysing regulations concerning administrative financial penalties laid down in Act of 20 July 2018: Law on higher education and science.
The article discusses the issues important from the point of view of the entities of the system of higher education and science, especially universities. The analysis focuses on such issues as the role of administrative financial penalties in the supervision of the system of higher education and science, the subjective scope of the regulations concerning penalties, their legal nature and the procedure of imposing them.
The analysis leads to the conclusion that administrative financial penalties constitute a novelty in the system of higher education and science, and Act: Law on higher education and science regulates all basic normative elements of those penalties with the exception of procedural matters, which are laid down in Code of Administrative Procedure. The analysis results in the establishment of the nature of hose penalties (they are relatively specified and the features of acts under the regulations are formulated by means of a general expression of administrative-legal ‘obligations’ stipulated in the statute, as well as by reference to conduct of a more defined nature), bodies competent to impose them, and the role of financial penalties in the system of higher education and science.
</abstract>

Administrative Financial Penalties in the System of Higher Education and Science

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The subject of the gloss is a resolution of the Supreme Administrative Court in which the Court examined the rules of determining income in social assistance proceedings. While recognising the possibility of reducing income solely by the amount of alimony provided to an entitled person under the provisions of the family and guardianship code, the Supreme Administrative Court stated unequivocally that the privileged method of determining income cannot be used by persons who do not pay alimony and are obliged to make payments to the alimony fund. This gloss presents arguments supporting the theses contained in the resolution and their axiological justification. Moreover, it elaborates on the issues indirectly raised by the adjudicating panel, such as overdue alimony and amounts that are actually paid as part of alimony. This subject is important for determining the income of persons applying for support under the social assistance system as well as paying for benefits.
</abstract>

Gloss on the Resolution of a Panel of Seven Judges of the Supreme Administrative Court of 21 November 2021, I OPS 2/21

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 18 (2024): Issue 1 (March 2024)

Volume 17 (2023): Issue 4 (December 2023)

Volume 17 (2023): Issue 3 (September 2023)

Volume 17 (2023): Issue 2 (June 2023)

Volume 17 (2023): Issue 1 (March 2023)

Volume 16 (2022): Issue 4 (December 2022)

Volume 16 (2022): Issue 3 (September 2022)

Volume 16 (2022): Issue 2 (June 2022)

Volume 16 (2022): Issue 1 (March 2022)

Ius Novum

Ius Novum is an all-Poland scientific journal that presents analytical articles on the science of law, with focus on Central and Eastern European countries. The journal covers a range of basic areas of law, including constitutional law, civil law and procedure, criminal law and procedure, administrative law and procedure, financial law, business law, and international law.　  The journal aims to create a modern forum for the exchange and debate of opinions among scholars of jurisprudence by popularising research results at both domestic and international levels. It takes into account the significance of the impact of legal studies on the social and economic environment of Central and Eastern Europe.  The journal publishes original scientific papers of considerable cognitive value for all representatives of legal science and practice. These papers can be of interest not only to domestic, but also, or even primarily, to international scientific circles. The journal presents innovative dogmatic analyses of current legal solutions, forecasts for the direction of development in various areas of law, legal evaluations of new social phenomena, assessments of the quality of law enactment and application, signals of the efficiency of adopted legal regulations, and discussions on problems concerning legal certainty. Additionally, the journal features empiric research findings of great social importance.   The journal is open not only to the scientific and teaching staff of Lazarski University, but also to representatives of jurisprudence from other academic centres within the international scientific community. We welcome independent scholars with recognised achievements, as well as young scientists who wish to contribute their interesting and innovative ideas to the discourse on law.   The quarterly publishes original articles using research apparatus, and exceptionally, glosses that concern and resolve especially significant scientific issues.　  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 