Törvények

Törvények are statutory laws enacted by a legislative body. In Hungarian legal usage, a törvény is an ordinary law passed by the Parliament (Országgyűlés) that regulates public and private matters not covered by the constitution. They form the core of national public law and apply uniformly within the state.

In the Hungarian legal order, the Fundamental Law (Alaptörvény) acts as the constitution since 2011. Ordinary törvények complement the constitution by detailing rules on civil life, economy, criminal law, and public administration. Other legal norms include rendeletek (government or ministerial decrees) and various jogszabályok, which govern administrative and regulatory matters and are subordinate to the laws.

Legislative process: A törvényjavaslat can be submitted by the government or by members of Parliament. It typically goes through committees, undergoes readings, and may receive amendments. After approval, the bill is promulgated by the President and published in the Official Gazette, entering into force on the date stated in the act.

Applications and examples: Törvények provide rights and duties, regulate relations between individuals and the state, and shape public policy. Prominent examples include the Civil Code (Polgári Törvénykönyv) and the Penal Code (Büntető Törvénykönyv).

Relation to justice: Courts interpret and apply törvények; enforcement is carried out by public authorities in accordance with due process, and the rule of law remains a central principle of the legal system. See also: law, constitution, rule of law.