Eljárásjog

Eljárásjog, often translated as procedural law or adjective law, refers to the body of rules and principles that govern the conduct of legal proceedings. It dictates the manner in which legal rights and obligations are enforced through the court system. Unlike substantive law, which defines rights and duties (e.g., contract law, criminal law), eljárásjog focuses on the "how" of legal action.

In essence, eljárásjog ensures fairness, order, and efficiency in the legal process. It covers various stages, from the initiation of a lawsuit or claim, through evidence presentation, trial, judgment, and enforcement. Key aspects include rules on jurisdiction, competence of courts, admissibility of evidence, deadlines for actions, and the rights of parties involved, such as the right to be heard and to legal representation.

There are different branches of eljárásjog, corresponding to different areas of substantive law. For instance, polgári eljárásjog (civil procedure) governs civil disputes, büntető eljárásjog (criminal procedure) governs criminal cases, and közigazgatási eljárásjog (administrative procedure) deals with actions involving public administration. These procedural rules are crucial for the consistent and predictable application of substantive law, safeguarding due process and the rule of law.