Interdiecézní soudy na území ČR

In this article I first outline the general issues and the legal foundation of the Interdiocesan church courts which were founded in the 20th century as a legal instrument for the accessible exercise of the judicial power of the Church. I then deal with issues related to the activities of such courts in the Czech Republic. Both courts were created due to the lack of competent judges available to fulfil the staffing needs of first instance courts in each diocese, as canon law dictates. The Interdiocesan church tribunal Prague was founded in 1982 with its activity lasting until 2009 when the newly established diocesan courts in Hradec Králové, Plzeň and Prague became Metropolitan courts for the diocese of Prague, České Budějovice and Litoměřice. The Interdiocesan church tribunal Olomouc was established in 1997 for the diocese of Olomouc, Ostrava and Opava and has continued up to the present time.