An Authentic Interpretation of Laws

Vjerodostojno tumačenje zakona pravni je institut kojim zakonodavac u slučaju pogrešnog ili različitog tumačenja određene zakonske odredbe u praksi, radi pravilnog tumačenja i jedinstvene primjene, utvrđuje njezino autentično značenje aktom koji ima snagu zakona. Njegova inherentna obilježja su retroaktivnost i učinak na pendentne postupke. Zbog tih obilježja i njihovog odnosa prema načelima vladavine prava, pravne sigurnosti i diobe vlasti, vjerodostojno tumačenje podložno je ozbiljnoj kritici pravne teorije i prakse. Autor analizira institut vjerodostojnog tumačenja kroz povijesno-komparativnu perspektivu, normativno uređenje u Republici Hrvatskoj, praksu Hrvatskog sabora i stajališta teoretičara koji ga osporavaju ili zagovaraju. Na temelju toga iznosi vlastiti zaključak o tome da bi kvalitetnijim postupcima pripreme i donošenja zakona institut vjerodostojnog tumačenja mogao postati nepotrebnim. Ako ga se ipak zadrži u pravnom poretku, nužno bi bilo nad njim provoditi bitno djelotvorniji ustavni nadzor.Authentic interpretation of laws is a legal institute whereby a legislator gives the authentic meaning to a specific legal norm in case of its incorrect or diversified interpretation in practice. It has the same legal force as the law. Retroactivity and influence on pending cases are its inherent characteristics. Due to these characteristics and their relation to the principles of the rule of law, legal certainty and separation of powers, it is subjected to severe criticism not only by legal theory but also legal practice. The author analyses the institute of authentic interpretation from historical and comparative point of view and through the Croatian normative regulation, practice of the Croatian Parliament and academic debate, including opinions in favour as well as against it. On these grounds the author concludes that higher quality of law making procedure could make the authentic interpretation dispensable. On the other hand, should this institute be kept in the legal order it is essential to receive more effective constitutional control