Good faith principle in Lithuanian contract law

Straipsnyje analizuojamas sąžiningumo principo vaidmuo Lietuvos sutarčių teisėje, apibrėžiamos jo funkcijos ir atskleidžiami turinio elementai - piktnaudžiavimo teisė ir nesuderinamo elgesio teisės institutai. Taip pat straipsnyje kritiškai vertinama Lietuvos teismų praktika taikant sąžiningumo principą.Examples from Lithuanian judicial practice show that the role of the good faith principle and its functions are not properly perceived, and Lithuanian legal doctrine does not give it enough attention. Comparative and historical analysis shows that good faith principle was a tool allowing the courts to correct and develop the law when necessary in those states where the private law is codified. Such role of the good faith principle should be emphasised in its application, which requires the courts to clearly justify why in a concrete case there is a need to resolve a factual situation differently than prescribed by existing law, or why a concrete factual situation needs a new solution, and why the chosen corrective or supplementing decision is most appropriate and just. Taking that into account, the good faith principle should be developed by defining those values which would justify modification of written law when it is necessary in concrete situations. For these purposes the main elements of the good faith principle are the doctrines of abuse of rights and inconsistent behaviour