De Lege Lata Research Articles

Shaping the New Modality of the Digital Markets: The Impact of the DSA/DMA Proposals on Inter-Platform Competition

An unprecedented recalibration of the rules regulating the functioning of competition in the digital markets has catalysed diverse reactions among the main stakeholders. The proposed approach to regulating gatekeepers will have a paradigmatic impact on European consumers, businesses and public institutions. It will have equally significant implications for the theoretical foundations of competition law, economics and policy. While formally the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is complementing, not substituting, existing provisions of competition de lege lata, such a substantial extension of the rationale and instruments of competition policy is likely to have significant implications also for the application of ex-post rules. The entire apparatus of competition law will be extended by the new modality. Out of the wide spectrum of changes introduced by the DMA/DSA proposal, this article identifies and analyses one of the central – though not so commonly discussed – elements of the transformation. It asks a normative question about what kind of competition in the digital markets the European Union should seek to establish, and a methodological question about procedural and substantive legal mechanisms used for shaping such a new format. digital competition law, polycentric and dialectical approach to antitrust, competition law and the digital economy, goals of competition law, ex-ante and ex-post competition policy, Digital Markets Act – DMA, inter-platform competition, ecosystem competition, Digital Services Act – DSA.

Reconstructing the Principle of Nullum Crimen Sine Lege

As a product of scientism and rationalism, the principle of nullum crimen sine lege has been subject to changing times and theoretical assumptions. In practice, therefore, it has not been fully able to play its role in protecting freedom and has constantly wavered over the determination of criminal punishments. Even though it has been constantly challenged, the principle of nullum crimen sine lege should be adhered to and renewed as an important principle of the modern rule of law. First, the principle of de lege lata is being questioned by theories of substantive law, and sources not in the form of law have become the de facto basis of criminal punishment. For this reason, it is necessary to reaffirm the nature of de lege lata as an exclusive source of law. Second, although the possible boundary of the meaning of criminal law texts cannot be clearly delineated empirically, one should not therefore reject the possible boundary of this meaning. The practice of delineating an objective boundary based on empirical facts should be abandoned and normative boundaries should be delineated and justified. Finally, the responsibility for judicial clarity should be recognized and accepted as a supplement to legislative clarity, and a two-tier system of legislative and judicial clarity should be developed. Here, the definite nature of criminal legislation should develop standards in terms of behavioral guidance and judicial restrictions, and clarity in criminal justice should start from the legislative text and establish general secondary rules to make the text more specific, bringing it ever closer to specific and particular case facts, and eventually establishing a relationship of subsumption between the legislative text and the facts of the case.

A Comparative Analysis Pertaining to the Description of the Institution of a Complaint Lodged by Detainees in Selected European Countries. De Lege Lata Conclusions and De Lege Ferenda Postulates

The aim of the comparative analysis presented here was in a way to show a catalogue of ways of handling cases in which the complainant is incarcerated. Additionally the aim of this study is an attempt at explicating the current legal status in Poland in terms of the institution of lodging complaints by detainees and its functioning, and to compile a comparative analysis in the same subject area. In addition, the aim of the study is an attempt to present de lege lata conclusions and de lege ferenda postulates in the context of the matter in question. It should be emphasized that the institution of a complaint is notoriously used by persons deprived of their liberty, which is clearly visible in the statistical analysis presented in the article. For this reason, it seems justified to undertake legislative work in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Central Management of the Academy of Justice. This study uses a triangulation of the following research methods: descriptive research method, theoretical and legal method, comparative method with the elements of comparative law, and statistical method. The legal status adopted in the paper as on 30 October 2020.

The concept of institutionalised disintegration: towards a recognition of the EU institutions anew

Abstract The main purpose of this article is to recognise an ongoing phenomenon of disintegration in legal terms. A specific role of the EU institutions is inevitable because of supranational relations’ nature and to-date momentum of public international law. Briefly, disintegration supported by the EU institutions may be the expected solution. Therefore, the concept of institutionalised disintegration is the author’s proposal for using the EU acquis to create a new (autonomous) treaty regime of public international law and to define the EU institutions anew. The basis for reconciliation of institutions and disintegration is to constitute the scientific method on so-called legal phenomena that combine dogmas and functions of law in general. Legal phenomena are correlated with de lege ferenda proposals that – mainly critically – react to current challenges. Challenges – in turn – are derived from a de lege lata analysis of the politico-legal system (especially understanding of the institution, mapping of disintegration and examination of legislative methods).

Upozornenie prokurátora ako jeden z prostriedkov prokurátorského dozoru v oblasti verejnej správy

The aim of the contribution is to examine and analyse prosecutor’s notice by which prosecutor performs supervision of compliance with the law and generally binding legal regulations by public administration. The contribution’s aim is not just a description of current legal state but in addition of that the authors try to make reference to problem issues of the legislation de lege lata as well as several unclear theoretical and application questions whose analysis and answering is part of the content of this contribution. In connection with processed issues the authors off er certain recommendations and propositions which could pro futuro fi nd its application not only in the legal regulation of the prosecutor’s notice, but also in the case of supervision of compliance with the legitimacy in public administration.

Kilka uwag w kwestii sposobu zaspokojenia wierzyciela pauliańskiego w postępowaniu upadłościowym

Przedmiot badań: W prawie upadłościowym brakuje szczegółowej regulacji sposobu zaspo­kojenia wierzyciela pauliańskiego z majątku osoby trzeciej, w razie ogłoszenia jej upadłości. Wywołuje to kontrowersje w doktrynie prawa upadłościowego. Konsekwencją tego niedostatku regulacji ustawowej i braku zgodności w teorii prawa jest niepewność co do pozycji prawnej tego wierzyciela w praktyce postępowania upadłościowego.
 Cel badawczy: Celem artykułu jest ustalenie możliwości przyjęcia de lege lata wyniku wykładni przepisów prawa upadłościowego, kodeksu postępowania cywilnego oraz kodeksu cywilnego, który byłby zgodny założeniami aksjologicznymi prawa postępowania upadłościowego oraz in­stytucji skargi pauliańskiej. W przypadku braku takiej możliwości dalszym celem opracowania jest sformułowanie postulatu de lege ferenda pod adresem ustawodawcy, u którego podłoża leżą wspomniane założenia aksjologiczne.
 Metoda badawcza: W artykule posłużono się metodą logiczno-językowej analizy materiału nor­matywnego, którą uzupełniono w niezbędnym zakresie o metodę historycznoporównawczą.
 Wnioski: W sytuacji sprzeczności wartości chronionych za pomocą materialnoprawnej instytucji skargi pauliańskiej oraz leżących u podstaw postępowania upadłościowego aksjologicznie uza­sadnione jest założenie, według którego syndyk masy upadłości powinien zaspokajać wierzyciela pauliańskiego z przedmiotu, który wszedł do majątku upadłego na podstawie ubezskutecznionej czynności z pierwszeństwem przed wierzycielami upadłościowymi. Bez zmiany ustawodawczej przyjęcie wyniku wykładni przepisów Kodeksu postępowania cywilnego i Prawa upadłościo­wego, który odpowiadałby tej ocenie aksjologicznej, nie wydaje się możliwe do uzasadnienia. De lege lata wierzyciel pauliański powinien więc uczestniczyć w odrębnym podziale sumy uzy­skanej ze zbycia przedmiotu objętego wyrokiem pauliańskim. Mniej korzystne dla tego wierzy­ciela rozwiązanie ingerowałoby nadmiernie w treść prawa wierzyciela pauliańskiego określoną w art. 532 KC, przez co dochodziłoby do wypaczenia jego istoty uregulowanej w prawie material­nym. De lege lata zapewnienie temu wierzycielowi tzw. prawa odrębności trzeba więc uznać za minimalny poziom udzielanej mu w postępowaniu upadłościowym ochrony prawnej.

Dopuszczalność stosowania przepisów prawa spółdzielczego do trybu likwidacji fundacji. Rozważania w kontekście poglądów Henryka Ciocha

The Polish statutory regulations concerning the liquidation of Foundations are contained in Article 15 of the Act of 6 April 1984 concerning Foundations, hereinafter referred to as the “Act on Foundations”. The provisions of this Article constitute the only legal basis applicable to the entire complicated process of eliminating the legal existence of a Foundation as part of its liquidation. The Act on Foundations does not establish the course of liquidation proceedings, in this respect it refers to the provisions of the Statutes. Generality and imprecisiness of the applicable legal provisions regarding the liquidation of Foundations has been the subject of universal criticism in the legal literature; the current regulation is considered inappropriate and insufficient. De lege lata indicates a clear need to apply legal solutions contained in other legal acts governing the liquidation of other legal entities to the liquidation of Foundations. Although it has been variously postulated that Foundations should be liquidated according to the laws governing the liquidation of cooperatives, Associations, or according to the Code of Commercial Partnerships and Companies, it is generally acknowledged that the application of the law governing cooperatives is most closely related to the liquidation of Foundations. It is worth underscoring that the proceedings for liquidating a legal cooperative are regulated rather thoroughly and appropriately and as a result they are often used.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE DE LEGE LATA LEGISLATION ON ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENTS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC IN COMPARISON WITH GERMANY

This paper concentrates on the comparation of the Slovak de lege lata legislation on alternative punishments with the legislation in Germany. From among alternative sentences the authors chose the sentence of house arrest and the sentence of community service. The authors focus on a brief historical development of the legal regulation of these alternative punishments, the reason for their introduction into the legal order of individual countries, how they have changed over time and what their current state is. In order to evaluate the legislation of alternative punishments in the chosen countries, the authors use the comparative method and formulate de lege ferenda proposals which can be found at the end of the article.

Unfair trading practices in the agriculture and food supply chain – comparing the 2019/633 EU directive with the Hungarian regulation

This brief summary is based on the author’s presentation held on the 8th October 2020 on the international conference titled “Straf- und bußgeldrechtliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen insbesondere im Kartell- und Datenschutzrecht de lege lata und de lege ferenda” organised by the University of Heidelberg and the University of Miskolc. The study gives a short introduction to the comparison of the Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain and the Hungarian regulation on the unfair practices of distributors.

Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Law - Position Statement of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition of 9 April 2021 on the Current Debate

This Position Statement presents a broad overview of issues arising at the intersection of AI and IP law based on the work of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition research group on Regulation of the Digital Economy. While the analysis is approached mainly from a perspective de lege lata, it also identifies questions which require further reflection de lege ferenda supported by in-depth interdisciplinary research. The scope is confined to substantive European IP law, in particular, as regards copyright, patents, designs, databases and trade secrets. Specific AI-related issues are mapped out around the core questions of IP law, namely, the eligibility for protection under the respective IP regimes, allocation of rights and the scope of protection. The structure of the analysis reflects three key components of AI: inputs required for the development of AI systems, AI as a process and the output of AI applications. Overall, it is emphasised that, while recent legal and policy discussions have mostly focused on AI-aided and AI-generated output, a more holistic view that accounts for the role of IP law across the AI innovation cycle is indispensable.

Zagadnienie obciążenia wierzyciela - ZUS opłatą egzekucyjną w postępowaniu egzekucyjnym umorzonym w trybie art. 824 § 1 pkt 4 kodeksu postępowania cywilnego

Przedmiotem dociekań zawartych w niniejszym opracowaniu stała się analiza zwolnień przedmiotowych Zakładu Ubezpieczeń Społecznych w odniesieniu do ponoszenia opłat egzekucyjnych wynikających z prowadzenia cywilnych postępowań egzekucyjnych zakończonych umorzeniem. Zakres rozważań został ograniczony do sytuacji, w których na wniosek Zakładu Ubezpieczeń Społecznych prowadzone są postępowania komornicze w zakresie prowadzonej przez ten podmiot działalności określonej w ustawie, a ponadto tylko do sytuacji, w której do umorzenia postępowania dochodzi z powodu braku dokonania przez Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych w ciągu sześciu miesięcy czynności potrzebnej do dalszego prowadzenia postępowania lub braku żądania podjęcia zawieszonego postępowania.Celem badań jest odpowiedź na pytanie, czy komornik sądowy może skutecznie obciążyć Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych opłatą egzekucyjną w związku umorzeniem postępowania egzekucyjnego na podstawie art. 824 § 1 pkt 4 kodeksu postępowania cywilnego. Przeprowadzone badania prowadzą do wniosku, że de lege lata ani art. 114 ust. 4 ustawy o systemie ubezpieczeń społecznych w związku z art. 45 ust. 1 ustawy o kosztach komorniczych, ani jakikolwiek inny przepis, nie wprowadzają wystarczającej podstawy prawnej do zwolnienia Zakładu Ubezpieczeń Społecznych z opłaty egzekucyjnej w przypadku umorzenia postępowania egzekucyjnego w opisanej sytuacji.

Restitution of Polish cultural property – de lege lata remarks and basis for system evaluation. Contribution to the discussion

The article aims to present the legal and factual state of restitution of Polish cultural property and point out selected, interesting doubts, problems, and disputable issues related to applying the current law. The analy¬sis is based on legal regulations, the latest literature, and statistics on the effectiveness of restitution of cultural property in Poland in 2011-2017. The thesis was put forward that a coherent system of restitution of cultural property, before the adoption and against the background of application of the Act on Restitution of National Cultural Assets, has not yet been developed in Poland. The regulation can be treated as an essential way to stimulate change and increase the importance of the restitution of cultural assets. Restitution of Polish cultural property in the years 2011-2017 is a complex process, encountering various problems. The adoption of the Act on the Restitution of National Cultural Assets, despite numerous critical voices, may constitute a critical developmental impulse due to numerous difficulties in the effective enforcement of the restitution idea in Poland recently.

Forms of Commercial Companies and Partnerships Designed for Municipal Services Management by the Commune in Polish law: The Legislation as it Stands (de lege lata) and as it should Stand (de lege ferenda)

The article points to the forms of commercial companies and partnerships, provided for in Polish law, i.e. the Act of 2000 – Commercial Companies Code in conjunction with the provisions of the Act of 1996 on municipal services management, that can be used by a commune to run municipal services management – in particular in the procedure of their incorporation or accession to them by the commune (or holding their shares) – both in the public sphere and outside that sphere, taking into account the diverse views expressed in the literature so far relating to that issues, and extended from March 2021 based on the Act of 2019 amending the Commercial Companies Code with simple joint stock company, a catalogue of commercial companies and partnerships in general, the legal relationship between the provisions of Articles 2, 9 and 10 Act on municipal economy, the specific conditions for the incorporation (and acceding to) by the commune (or holding share rights) of commercial companies/partnerships outside the public service sphere, as well as related legal categories of companies/partnerships acting for the benefit of local government and other companies/partnerships important for the development of the commune, as well as proposals for the law as it should stand (de lege ferenda) in this area.

Glosa do wyroku Wielkiej Izby Trybunału Sprawiedliwości Unii Europejskiej z dnia 19 grudnia 2019 r., C-263/18

Wyrok Trybunału Sprawiedliwości Unii Europejskiej z dnia 19 grudnia 2019 r. dotyczy problematyki cyfrowego rynku „używanych” książek elektronicznych, w szczególności kwestii dopuszczalności wyczerpania prawa do rozpowszechniania cyfrowych kopii książek chronionych prawem autorskim. Trybunał luksemburski w istotny sposób rozwinął swoją linię orzeczniczą w odniesieniu do wyczerpania prawa autorskiego w środowisku cyfrowym, w szczególności przez to, że dokonał jednoznacznej kwalifikacji prawnej czynności dostarczania użytkownikom chronionych utworów przez pobranie ich on-line . Stanowisko trybunału luksemburskiego zdaje się wykluczać możliwość przyjęcia dynamicznej wykładni obecnie obowiązujących rozwiązań normatywnych z zakresu wyczerpania prawa autorskiego i uwzględnienia rozwoju technologii, rynku i zachowań konsumenckich. Nie pozostanie to bez wpływu na rozwój jednolitego rynku cyfrowego i handel elektroniczny i wymusi poszukiwanie nowych rozwiązań w tym zakresie. Niedostrzeganie zasadności dostosowania autorskoprawnych rozwiązań normatywnych a przynajmniej ich wykładni do zmieniających się warunków technologicznych pogłębi jedynie istniejący już stan niepewności prawa i obrotu prawnego oraz będzie sprzyjało przyjmowaniu wewnętrznych rozwiązań przez dostawców dóbr cyfrowych i usługodawców.

Prowadzenie postępowania dowodowego na rozprawie w trybie art. 378a. Zagadnienia wybrane

Artykuł dotyczy możliwości prowadzenia postępowania pod nieobecność oskarżonego lub jego obrońcy (per absentia), pomimo należytego usprawiedliwienia niestawiennictwa. W opracowaniu przedstawiono przesłanki stosowania art. 378a k.p.k., kwestie związane z wnioskiem o uzupełniające przeprowadzenie dowodu. Autor krytycznie ocenia ratio legis przepisu art. 378a ustawy karnoprocesowej w kontekście zasady rzetelnego procesu karnego, prawa do sądu i prawa do realnej obrony przed zarzutami oskarżenia. Autor formułuje postulaty de lege lata i de lege ferenda pod adresem ustawodawcy.

Legal Position of the Regional Electoral Commission for Conducting Voting in the Circuit and the Regional Electoral Commission for Determining the Results of Voting in the Circuit – de lege lata and de lege ferenda Postulates in the Light of the 2018 Local Self-government Elections

<p>During the local self-government elections that took place in 2018 in Poland, for the first time regional electoral commissions for conducting voting in the circuit and regional electoral commissions for determining the results of voting in the circuit appeared. Both electoral commissions are appointed by the appropriate electoral commissioner from among the voters. The tasks of the regional electoral commission for voting in the circuit include conducting voting in the circuit and ensuring that the election law is observed in the place and time of voting. However, the tasks of the regional electoral commission for determining the results of voting in the circuit include determining the results of voting in the circuit, making them public and sending the results of voting to the appropriate electoral commission. The introduction, by the legislator, of regional electoral commissions for conducting voting in the circuit and regional electoral commissions for determining the results of voting in the circuit should be assessed positively. However, the legal position of both committees certainly requires changes to be made by the legislator.</p>

INCREASE OF THE NUMBER OF MOTORING MUSEUMS: IS THERE A NEED FOR A NEW DEFINITION OF A HISTORIC VEHICLE?

The increase in number of museums not having legal personality and amassing motoring collections has inspired a review of the legal regulations related to historic vehicles, enriched with statistical data on the number of museums in Poland, and published in the Bulletin of Public Information of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2018–2020. The analysis of the statistical data became the foundations for theoretical and legal considerations on the definition of a historic vehicle, and of the classic vehicle. The whole analysis ends with the de lege lata and the de lege ferenda conclusions aiming to present legislative suggestions that a rational legislator should introduce in order to increase effectiveness of the regulations.

Limited Liability Companies in Romania: De Lege Lata Clarifications and De Lege Ferenda Proposals in Regard to the Forced Execution of ‘Social Parts’ for the Personal Debts of an Associate

The limited liability company is the most prevalent form of company in Romania. It is similar to the French S.A.R.L. (société à responsabilité limitée) or the German GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), but important differences can be identified in the context of this type as it exists in Romania. This article focuses on a single but very important problem: Can the creditors of associates of limited liability companies enforce their claims by selling or acquiring participation in the limited liability companies of their debtors? And, if so, under what conditions? The problem of de lege lata is controversial, and the author seeks to offer a plausible interpretation of the existing norms, which make the rule effective but, at the same time, preserve the essential and traditional features of the limited liability company. In addition, several alternatives to de lege ferenda proposals are suggested, making this study a valuable contribution to the future development of Romanian company law and offering insights for further comparative research.

Limited Liability Companies in Romania: De Lege Lata Clarifications and De Lege Ferenda Proposals in Regard to the Forced Execution of ‘Social Parts’ for the Personal Debts of an Associate

The limited liability company is the most prevalent form of company in Romania. It is similar to the French S.A.R.L. (société à responsabilité limitée) or the German GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), but important differences can be identified in the context of this type as it exists in Romania. This article focuses on a single but very important problem: Can the creditors of associates of limited liability companies enforce their claims by selling or acquiring participation in the limited liability companies of their debtors? And, if so, under what conditions? The problem of de lege lata is controversial, and the author seeks to offer a plausible interpretation of the existing norms, which make the rule effective but, at the same time, preserve the essential and traditional features of the limited liability company. In addition, several alternatives to de lege ferenda proposals are suggested, making this study a valuable contribution to the future development of Romanian company law and offering insights for further comparative research.

Tax-Related Implications of Acquiring Ownership of Real Estate by Natural Persons – Selected Issues

Tax law, treated as a branch of public law, shows strict links with other branches of the law, including the civil law or the private law. These links primarily involve taxing acts performed under the civil law. These consequences occur mainly with regard to levies included in the category of wealth taxes and revenue taxes. The subject of the analysis is the scope and nature of tax-related implications of acquiring the ownership right to real estate in individual taxes classified in these groups. On the basis of the research de lege lata conclusions are formulated. Primarily, the relationship between the personal and material scope of tax and acquiring real estate is demonstrated. Reference is also made to those elements of tax laws which directly affect the amount of taxation in the discussed scope.