Standard of proof in Lithuanian and Polish Civil Proceedings

ENThe publication aims to discuss the issue of the standard of proof in civil proceedings in Poland and Lithuania. The authors analyse the historical formation of the standard of proof and the definition and application of the standard of proof in both legal systems and compare the differences between them. Attention is also paid to the role of prima facie evidence in litigation, emphasising its relationship with the credibility of the parties’ claims. The analysis also covers the practical consequences related to the concept of degree of proof for the course of court proceedings in Poland and Lithuania. The article concludes with a summary of the conducted research results and an indication of the areas in which the two countries’ legal systems differ or are similar in terms of the standard of proof in civil proceedings. Keywords: standard of proof, evidence procedure, civil procedure, principle of truth, free evaluation of evidence.