Legal protection of forests by Lithuanian Statuts

The Lithuanian Statutes regulated a wide complex of relations connected with the exploitation and protection of forests. In the article the problem of identification of these legal norms as norms of public or private law is investigated. The author has been guided by the historical sources and scientific works. The article deals with relations between the nobility and the peasantry during exploitation of forests, easements, integrated forest protection. The author of the article suggests that the Lithuanian Statutes first of all protect public interests of the nobility and monopoly on land ownership and forest. Relevant rules of the Lithuanian Statutes were part of public law of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania