Legislative Materials in the Light of Polish and Spanish Law, Judicial Practice and Theoretical Literature Cover Image

Materiały legislacyjne w świetle prawa, praktyki orzeczniczej i poglądów doktryny z perspektywy polskiej i hiszpańskiej
Legislative Materials in the Light of Polish and Spanish Law, Judicial Practice and Theoretical Literature

Author(s): Paulina Konca
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Philosophy of Law
Published by: Stowarzyszenie Filozofii Prawa i Filozofii Społecznej – Sekcja Polska IVR
Keywords: legislative materials; legislative history; interpretation; intention; Spanish law; Polish law; ratio legis

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to present a comparative analysis of the use of legislative materials in the process of statutory interpretation in Poland and Spain, by referring to statutes, theoretical literature and case law. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part shows that in difficult cases, when the text is not clear enough as an evidence of the legislator’s intention, other evidence should be sought, including the legislative materials. The second part delivers an analysis of the term ‘legislative materials’, followed by a study of particular examples of legislative materials, including bills and their justifications. It focuses especially on the issue of the Spanish exposiciones de motivos. Moreover, there is a reference to interpretative guidance contained in the legal regulations and to the ways in which legislative materials are used in case law. The third part of the paper responds, on the basis of Polish and Spanish theoretical literature, to some of the objections against the use of legislative materials, underlining its importance for the interpreting the law.

  • Issue Year: 19/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 38-50
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish