Tryb uzyskiwania dowodu z akt Sądów Metropolitalnych – uwagi ogólne w kontekście działalności sądów karnych.

Abstract

The article’s main aim is to discuss the body of evidence as derived from the files of court of ecclesiastical. To be more precise, its admissibility and its adequate examination procedure. In the first place, the author of the article pinpoints the wide range of legal application of the evidence material originating from the courts of ecclesiastical. Yet, at the same time, the possibility of taking evidence is also deliberated upon by the author, especially when taking into consideration the evidentiary prohibition being the result of the seal of confession. Next, presuming taking evidence in the aforementioned circumstances to be possible, the article describes the actual practice as not allowing for a norms functioning in the judicial system, particularly the norms concerning international position of the Holy See and metropolitan courts. Consequently, the author argues the correct procedure of gaining access to the evidence in question is the procedure of legal aid defined in the article 585 Criminal Procedure code and in the subsequent articles. On balance, the author combines the conclusions presented in the article along with the principle of equality of citizens and equitability of churches and religious associations. As a result, the author proves the procedure of legal aid to be applicable not only in metropolitan courts but also in broadly defined ecclesiastical courts.

Keywords

• criminal proceedings
• evidence proceedings
• ecclesiastical courts