Supreme Court President Štefan Harabin changed judges for the senate hearing the court case of Tipos vs. Lemikon and this action was at odds with Slovakia’s Constitution, the Constitutional Court stated in overruling a verdict of the Supreme Court, writing that the change in judges was purposive and the decision of the changed senate was superficial and unjust, the Sme daily reported.
The Constitutional Court's verdict has returned the Tipos case to its beginning and might bring disciplinary action Harabin, who has already been disciplined for not allowing the Finance Ministry's audit of the Supreme Court. Another serious transgression might cost Harabin his position, Sme wrote.
Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská might propose further disciplinary proceedings against Harabin under the new rules of the amended law on judges.
Following the Constitutional Court's verdict, the Supreme Court will have to decide again whether the state-run betting company, Tipos, must pay over €76 million to the Cyprus-based Lemikon company for alleged illegal use of trade marks and know-how of the former Czech betting company Športka.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
