Article 116: Impeachment of Senior Judges

Chapter IXMedium

Constitution Text

“For a gross violation of the Constitution or a breach of the oath, or when they are found to have committed a crime, the President and justices of the Supreme Court, as well as the President and judges of the Court of Appeal, may be removed from office by the Seimas according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings.”

Summary

The President and justices of the Supreme Court, as well as the President and judges of the Court of Appeal, may be removed from office by the Seimas through impeachment proceedings for a gross violation of the Constitution, a breach of the oath, or when they are found to have committed a crime.

Key Points

•Impeachment applies to the President and justices of the Supreme Court and to the President and judges of the Court of Appeal.
•Three grounds: gross violation of the Constitution, breach of the oath, or discovery that a crime was committed.
•Only the Seimas may remove them, and only through impeachment proceedings.
•Judges of other courts (regional, district, specialised) are not subject to impeachment; they are released under Article 115.

Practical Example

If a judge of the Court of Appeal were found to have committed a crime, the Seimas could open impeachment proceedings and vote on removal, much as it would for the President or a Member of the Seimas.

Exam Tips

Remember that impeachment applies only to judges of the two highest courts and that the grounds are the same as in Article 74. The exam asks who removes them: the Seimas.

Art. 74 Art. 86 Art. 108 Art. 112 Art. 115

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