Evidentiary Hearings in Civil Proceedings – Selected Problems

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss selected problems related to conducting evidentiary hearings in civil proceedings, with a special emphasis on the essence of a motion for evidence and on the option to file it. The performed analysis covered both primary and secondary legislation concerning the formal matters related to filing motions for evidence, the possibilities of admitting evidence, the procedure of taking evidence, and the deliberations on the outcome of the evidentiary hearings. The regulations as they are in force at present offer no possibility to present evidence at the discretion of the parties and participants of the proceedings. It is therefore very important to use the evidence in accordance with the legislator’s suggestions so as not to be deprived of the chance to receive a favourable court decision only because the court finds the motion for evidence as having been filed too late.