WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/SVN/1
13September 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3558)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Slovenia
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases:
- TheCircuit Court ofLjubljana hastheexclusive jurisdiction overallIPRinfringement
cases(LawonCourts,OfficialGazetteNos.19/1994,45/1995,Article103(2)).Appeals
against itsdecisions areexamined bytheHigher Court inLjubljana (LawonCourts,
Article 104,p.1).
- Exception: theLabour andSocial Courts decide indisputes between employers and
employees withregard toinventions, shapes ofproducts, pictures, drawings and
technical improvements (LawonCourts, Article 103(2); LawonLabour andSocial
Courts, Official Gazette No.19/1994, Article 4,p.3).
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytherightholder?
- Anyrightholder ofanIPR,whoorwhich isanatural orlegalperson, hasstanding
toassert his/its rights (CodeofCivilProcedure, Official Gazette Nos.4/1977-27/1990,
1/1991-I, 55/1992, 19/1994, Article 77(1); Industrial Property Act,Articles 95(1),
96;Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Official Gazette No.21/95, Articles 72,142,
164).Inaddition andsubject tospecial conditions, thisstands alsoforother forms
ofassociations, which donothavethelegalstatus ofanatural orlegalperson (Code
ofCivil Procedure, Article 77(3))andforCollecting Societies, when collectively
administering copyright andrelated rights (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,
Article 157).
- IPRrightholders mayberepresented byanynatural person withfulllegal capacity
(Code ofCivilProcedure, Article 90(1);Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Articles
142,144(1) ),byanattorney (Code ofCivilProcedure, Article 95)orbyanauthors '
agency (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 144(2) ).
1Document 1P/C/5IP/N/6/SVN/1
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- There arenorequirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt of
therightholder (Code ofCivilProcedure, Article 295,269).
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Attherequest oftheopposing party thejudicial authorities mayorder provisional
measures orpreservation ofevidence (seebelow):
- Attherequest ofoneparty thejudicial authorities mayorder theopposing party to
produce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol (Code ofCivilProcedure, Article 233).
- Iftheopposing party doesnotproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol, thecourt
judges atitsowndiscretion andduetoallcircumstances, what importance istobe
given tothefactofthedenial ofaccess ofinformation (Code ofCivil Procedure,
Article 233(5) ).
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
- Inorder toensure protection ofconfidential information, brought forward asevidence,
thecourtmaydecide toexclude thepublic fromthecourthearings. Thejudge isobliged
towarn allparties thattheyhavetorespect theconfidential nature ofanyrelevant
information, which they receive insuch hearings (Code ofCivil Procedure,
Articles 307-310 ).Incaseofpatent infringement litigations concerning patented
processesfornewchemicalcompounds,thelegitimateinterestsoftheproducertoprotect
business secrets mustbetaken intoaccount (LawonIndustrial Property, Article 93(3)).
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- Injunctions: theCourt mayorder theinfringer todesist from apreparatory actfor
aninfringement andtheinfringement itself (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,
Article 167(1), p.1)andfromfurther infringements (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,
Article 167(1), p.1;Industrial Property Act,Articles 93(1), 96(1); LawonProtection
ofCompetition, Official Gazette No.18/93, Article 26(1)).Thecriterion is(i)an
infringement ofrights, andincaseofpreparatory actsforcopyright infringements,
(ii)theapparent danger thataninfringement willoccur.
- Damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees: the
Court mayorder damages tobepaidinfavour oftherightholder (Copyright andRelated
Rights Act,Article 164(1); Industrial Property Act,Articles 93(1), 96(1); Lawon
Protection ofCompetition, Article 27).Damages include recovery ofprofits and
expenses (Code onObligations, Articles 185,189,190).Thewinning party isentitled
torecover from theopposing party allexpenses duetotheprocedure, including
attorney 'sfees(Code ofCivilProcedure, Articles 154(1), 151).Thecriterion forthis
istheactual existence ofdamage orexpenses.
- Destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements fortheir
production: theCourt mayorder thattheinfringing copies, theirpackaging, stencils,
negatives, plates, melds orother means, which wereinstrumental totheinfringement,
bedestroyed oraltered (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 167(1), p.3,4;IP/N/6/SVN/1
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LawonProtection ofCompetition, Article 26(1)).Thesame stands fordevices, the
soleorprevalent purpose ofwhich istomake infringements andwhich areowned by
theinfringer (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 167(1), p.5).Thecriterion
isthataninfringement hasoccurred.
- Other remedies -publication ofthejudgement: theCourt mayorder thatthejudgement
bepublished attheinfringer 'sexpense (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article
167(1), p.6; Industrial Property Act,Articles 96(1), 104; LawonProtection of
Competition, Article 26(2)).Thecriterion isthataninfringement hasoccurred.
- Other remedies -moral damage: theCourt mayorder thattheinfringer paystothe
rightholder monetary satisfaction fornon-material damages (Copyright andRelated
Rights Act,Article 169;Industrial Property Act,Article 104).Thecriteria are:(i)that
aninfringement ofmoral rights hasoccurred, (ii)thatithascaused mental anguish
andsuffering totheauthor; and(iii)thatthedegree andduration ofthesuffering entitle
themonetary compensation (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 169; Code of
Obligations, Article 200).
- Other remedies -punitive damages: incaseofinfringement ofcopyrights andsubject
tospecial conditions, theCourt mayorder thattheinfringer paystotherightholder
aroyalty increased byupto200% (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 168).
Thecriteria are: (i)thataninfringement hasoccurred intentionally orbygross
negligence, (ii)thedegree ofculpability, (iii)theamount ofroyalties, (iv)the
achievement ofageneral preventive purpose (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,
Article 168(2) ).
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany,dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform therightholder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved intheproduction
anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels ofdistribution?
- Arightholder maydemand thatpersons, whoareinanywayconnected withthe
infringement ofrights recognized bytheCopyright andRelated Rights Act
(manufacturers, printers, importers, suppliers, orpossessors ofcopies ormeans with
which theright wasinfringed), provide information andproduce documents in
connection withtheinfringement, immediately upondemand. Ifthepersons mentioned
failtogivetherequired information orproduce thedocuments intheirpossession,
theyareliable fordamages thatmaybecaused bytheirfailure tocomply (Copyright
andRelated Rights Act,Article 172).
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchsituations andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
- Incaseofabuse ofenforcement procedures, general rules ondamages (Code on
Obligations, Articles 16,154-209 )willapply fortheindemnification ofthedefendant
(Code ofExecution Procedure, Article 274).
- Public authorities areliable fordamages, caused bytheirofficials tothirdparties in
theadministration orinconnection withtheadministration oftheirduties, under the
general rules ondamages (Code onObligations, Article 172).IP/N/6/SVN/1
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8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir costs.
- Thecourts shallendeavour thattheprocedures shallnotentail delays andshallrun
under thelowest costspossible (CodeofCivilProcedure, Article 10).Theproceedings
aresummary (Industrial Property Act,Article 98).
- Theactual duration ofproceedings andtheircostdepends onthecomplexity ofeach
individual case(e.g.attorney 'sfeesandCourt taxes areproportional totheextent of
thesums claimed).
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
- Administrative procedures arenotforeseen.
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial Measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
- Incaseofindustrial property rights: prohibition ofselling orothertransfer ofmoveable
objects, prohibition ofanyactivity thatmight cause damage totherightholder (Code
ofExecution Procedure, Article 268,p.1,3),preservation ofevidence (Code ofCivil
Procedure, Articles 272-276 ).
- Incaseofcopyright andrelated rights: seizure, exclusion fromcirculation, andtaking
intocustody ofcopies, means, equipment, andrelevant documents; interdiction of
imminentinfringementsorofinfringementsalreadycommenced;othersimilarmeasures
(CopyrightandRelatedRightsAct,Article170,186)preservationofevidence,including
theinspection (ofplaces, business records, inventory, databases, computer memory
units, orother things etc.), examination andseizure ofdocuments, examination of
witnesses, andtheappointment andexamination ofexperts (Copyright andRelated
Rights Act,Article 171).
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte.
- Incaseofindustrial property rights: inurgent cases (forpreservation ofevidence)
(Code ofCivilProcedure, Articles 275(5) ).
- Incaseofcopyright andrelated rights: ifthere isademonstrable riskthatthe
provisional measures mentioned above maynotbeeffective atalatertime, thecourt
mayorder andexecute suchmeasures without prior notification andhearing ofthe
otherparty(Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 170(2) ).Iftherightholder shows
probable grounds forbelief thathisexclusive rightunder theActisbeing infringed,
andthatthereisademonstrableriskthatevidenceofsuchinfringementwillbedestroyedIP/N/6/SVN/1
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orthatitwillbeimpossible toobtain suchevidence atalatertime, thecourt may,
onapplication oftherightholder, takesuchevidence without prior notification and
hearing oftheother party (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 171(3) ).
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
- Initiation: theprocedures forprovisional measures startonwritten application bythe
rightholder (Code ofCivil Procedure, Article 274; Code ofExecution Procedure,
Article 267(1); Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Articles 170(1), 171(1) ).
- Ordering andmaintenance inforce: thecourt requires theapplicant toshow probable
grounds forbelief, thathisclaim isexisting andthatwithout theprovisional measure
therealisation ofhisclaim would beimpossible orrather difficult orthatthemeasure
isnecessary toprevent theuseofforce ortheevent ofirreparable harm (Code of
Execution Procedure, Article 267(1), (2)).
- Time-limits: initsdecision, thecourt isfreedefine theduration oftheprovisional
measure and,incases inwhich themeasure wasordered before themaking ofalaw-suit
orbefore thebeginning ofanother proceeding, thedeadline forsuchabeginning (Code
ofExecution Procedure, Article 272(1) ).
- Defendant 'ssafeguards: thedefendant hastherightofappeal against thedecision on
provisional measures (CodeofExecution Procedure, Article 48).TheCourt mayorder
theapplicant toprovide security forthedefendant 'sdamages which might occur due
totheprovisional measure (Code ofExecution Procedure, Article 270(2) ).The
defendant himself mayprovide security fortherightholder 'sclaims; insuchcasethe
provisional measure isrevoked (CodeofExecution Procedure, Article 269(2) and(3)).
Thedefendant hastherighttoclaim damages, caused withtheprovisional measure,
ifthemeasure hadnolegalground (Code ofExecution Procedure, Article 274).
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
- Thecourts shallendeavour thattheprocedures shallnotentail delays andshallrun
under thelowest costspossible (CodeofCivilProcedure, Article 10;CodeofExecution
Procedure,Article10(1)).Theproceedingsaresummary(CopyrightandRelatedRights
Act,Articles 170(3), 171(4) ).
- Theactual duration ofproceedings andtheircostdepends onthecomplexity ofeach
individual case(e.g.attorney 'sfeesandCourt taxes areproportional totheextent of
thesums claimed).
(b) Administrative procedures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
- Administrative procedures arenotforeseen.IP/N/6/SVN/1
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Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoin
respect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other thancounterfeit
trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement (footnote toArticle 51).
Specify, together with relevant criteria, anyimports excluded from theapplication ofsuch
procedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms union, goods intransit, orde
minimus imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother
country byorwiththeconsent oftherightholder andtogoods destined forexportation?
- Border measures aredefined forpirated copyright goods inthesense ofArticle 51,
footnote 14oftheTRIPS Agreement.
- Forcounterfeit trademark goods theTRIPS Agreement isdirectly applicable onthe
basis ofconstitutional provisions (Constitution, Article 8).
- Theprocedures donotapply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother country
byorwiththeconsent oftherightholder andtogoods destined forexportation.
16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities (Article 51),
therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements related totheduration
ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security orequivalent assurance), 56
(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofgoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
- Theprocedures aredefined solely forpirated copyright goods (Copyright andRelated
Rights Act,Article 173).Otherwise theTRIPS Agreement applies directly.
- Competent authorities: thecompetent Customs-house, which takes decisions under
thegeneral administrative procedure (LawonCustoms Services, Official Gazette
Nos.1/91-I, 58/93, 65/93, Article 11; Customs Act,Official Gazette No.1/95,
Article 6).
- Application: therightholder shallberequired toprovide detailed description ofthe
goods, aswellasadequate evidence ofhisexclusive rights andtheir probable
infringement. Customs authorities mustpromptly notify theimporter andtherecipient
ofthegoodsontheadoptedmeasures(CopyrightandRelatedRightsAct,Article173(1),
(2),(3)).
- Duration: thecustoms authorities shallrevoke theadopted measures iftherightholder
doesnotfileasuitorinitiate some otherproceedings, leading toadecision onthemerits
ofthecase, within seven days(Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 173(3) ).
- Security:thecustomsauthoritiesmayrequiretherightholdertopostasecuritytoprotect
thedefendant against possible damage thatmaybecaused bysuchmeasures (Copyright
andRelated Rights Act,Article 173(2); Code ofGeneral Administrative Procedure,
Article 217(2), 292(2) ).IP/N/6/SVN/1
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- Indemnification: thecustoms authority mayorder theapplicant topaydamages, caused
withtheprovisional measure, ifthemeasure hadnolegalground (Code ofGeneral
Administrative Procedure, Article 293(1), (2)).
- Inspection: thecustom authorities may, onapplication oftherightholder, order that
therightholder orhisagent mayinspect suchgoods (Copyright andRelated Rights
Act,Article 173(1) ).
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir costs. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
- Theproceedings shallbeguided inafastway,under thelowest costpossible andshall
notentail delays (Code ofGeneral Administrative Procedure, Article 13).Ifnot
prolonged, thesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation shallbevalid
forseven days(Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 173(3) ).
- Theactual duration ofproceedings andtheircostdepends onthecomplexity ofeach
individual case.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative, and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
- Thecustoms authorities havenopowers toactupon theirowninitiative.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
- Thecustoms authorities mayorder thatsuchgoods beseized, theirrelease intofree
circulation besuspended, andthegoods bedetained awaiting finaldecision bythe
competent authority (Copyright andRelated Rights Act,Article 173(1) ).
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
- Thejurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRslieswiththedistrict Courts
(LawonCourts, Official Gazette Nos.19/1994, 45/1995, Article 99I.1).
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
- Trademarks: counterfeiting (Penal Code, Article 238(1) ).
- Industrial designs: counterfeiting (Penal Code, Article 238(2) ).
- Patents: unauthorized useofinventions (Penal Code, Article 239).
- Copyright (moral rights): infringement oftheright ofpaternity (Penal Code,
Article 158(1) ).IP/N/6/SVN/1
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- Copyright (moral rights): infringement oftheright ofrespect (Penal Code,
Article 158(2) ).
- Copyright (economic rights): whoever, withtheintent toobtain forhimself orfor
another asubstantial unlawful material gain, reproduces, distributes, rents copies,
publicly performs, publicly transmits, publicly presents, broadcasts ortransforms a
copyright workwithout thepermission oftheauthor oranother copyright holder, when
suchpermission isrequired bylaw(Penal Code, Article 159(1) ).
- Copyright (economic rights): whoever, withtheintent toobtain forhimself orfor
another asubstantial unlawful material gain, putsintocirculation, orwiththeintent
ofputting intocirculation offers tothepublic copies ofacopyright work, knowing
thatsuchcopies werereproduced without authorization (Penal Code, Article 159(2) ).
- Copyright (economic rights): if,bytheactdescribed intheforegoing paragraph, very
largematerial gainwasobtained anditwasintheperpetrator 'sintention toobtain such
material gain(Penal Code, Article 159(3) ).
- Copyright: whoever makes, acquires, sellsorletsanother useimplements, intended
forbreaking intoacomputer system (Penal Code, Article 309(3) ).
- Related rights (rights ofperformers): whoever, without permission ofaperformer,
when suchpermission isrequired bylaw,broadcasts, reproduces, putsintocirculation
orcommunicates tothepublic aperformance orafixation ofaperformance, andthereby
obtains substantial material gain(Penal Code, Article 160).
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
- Theauthorities, responsible forinitiating criminal procedures, arethePolice andthe
District StateProsecutors. Depending onthetypeofinfringement theyactexofficio
oronacomplaint.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
- Private persons, i.e.rightholders, havestanding toinitiate criminal proceedings only
incases ofcriminal actsunder Articles 158and160ofthePenal Code.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed.
- Trademarks: counterfeiting -imprisonment foruptothreeyears. Theinfringing goods
shallbeconfiscated onanobligatory basis (Penal Code, Article 238(1), (3)).
- Industrial designs: counterfeiting -imprisonment foruptothreeyears. Theinfringing
goods shallbeconfiscated onanobligatory basis (Penal Code, Article 238(2), (3)).
- Patents: unauthorized useofinventions -imprisonment foruptothree years (Penal
Code, Article 239).
- Copyright (moral rights): infringement oftherightofpaternity -fineorimprisonment
foruptooneyear(Penal Code, Article 158(1) ).IP/N/6/SVN/1
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- Copyright (moral rights): infringement oftherightofrespect -fineorimprisonment
foruptosixmonths (Penal Code, Article 158(2) ).
- Copyright (economic rights): whoever, withtheintent toobtain forhimself orfor
another asubstantial unlawful material gain, reproduces, distributes, rents copies,
publicly performs, publicly transmits, publicly presents, broadcasts ortransforms, a
copyright work without thepermission oftheauthor oranother copyright holder, when
suchpermission isrequired bylaw-fineorimprisonment foruptothree months.
Theinfringing goods anddevices fortheirreproduction shallbeconfiscated onan
obligatory basis (Penal Code, Article 159(1), (4)).
- Copyright (economic rights): whoever, withtheintent toobtain forhimself orfor
another asubstantial unlawful material gain, putsintocirculation, orwiththeintent
ofputting intocirculation offers tothepublic copies ofacopyright work, knowing
thatsuchcopies werereproduced without authorization -imprisonment foruptotwo
years. Theinfringing goods anddevices fortheirreproduction shallbeconfiscated
onanobligatory basis (Penal Code, Article 159(2), (4)).
- Copyright (economic rights): if,bytheactdescribed intheforegoing paragraph, very
largematerial gainwasobtained anditwasintheperpetrator 'sintention toobtain such
material gain-imprisonment foruptothree years. Theinfringing goods anddevices
fortheir reproduction shall beconfiscated onanobligatory basis (Penal Code,
Article 159(3), (4)).
- Copyright: whoever makes, acquires, sellsorletsanother touseimplements, intended
forbreaking intoacomputer system -imprisonment foruptooneyear(Penal Code,
Article 309(3) ).
- Related rights (rights ofperformers): whoever, without permission ofaperformer,
when suchpermission isrequired bylaw,broadcasts, reproduces, putsintocirculation
orcommunicates tothepublic aperformance orafixation ofaperformance, andthereby
obtains substantial material gain-fineorimprisonment foruptosixmonths (Penal
Code, Article 160).
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
- Thecourts shallendeavour thattheprocedures shallnotentail delays (Code ofCriminal
Procedure, Official Gazette 63/94, Article 15).
- Theactual duration ofproceedings andtheircostsdepends onthecomplexity ofeach
individual case.
- Thepublic prosecutor mayfileasummary charge sheet onthebasisofacrime report
alone (CCP, Article 430/2).
- Theactsofinvestigation shallbecarried outasquickly andefficiently aspossible (CCP,
Article 431/1).
- Ifthecrime report isfiledbytheinjured person (rightholder) andwithin aperiod of
onemonth from thereceipt oftherequest bythepublic prosecutor thelatter failsto
prefer thesummary charge sheet andnotify thedefendant thathehasdismissed theIP/N/6/SVN/1
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chargeoradjournedcriminalproceedings,theinjuredparty(rightholder)shallbeentitled
toassume prosecution subject tofilethesummary charge sheet withthecourt (CCP,
Article 443).
- Thejudge shallorder thatthecharge sheetorprivate charge beserved onthedefendant
andshallschedulethemainhearingimmediately(withinamonth)(CCP,Article435/2).
- Once opened, themain hearing shallproceed andendwithout interruption whenever
possible (CCP, Article 443/1).
- Anappeal against thejudgement maybelodged within eightdaysofreceipt ofacopy
thereof (CCP, Article 443/3).