The Principle of Proportionality: Critique of Theoretical Standpoints and Its Relevance

99 The Principle of Proportionality: Critique of Theoretical Standpoints and Its Relevance Abstract: A decision concerning a fundamental rights conflict needs to respect the principle of proportionality in order to be compatible with a constitutional order. The principle of proportionality obliges the court to adequately assess and weigh the conflicting fundamental rights or other constitutional principles in light of the particular facts. The proportionality of the decision is to be ensured by the so-called proportionality test. It consists of three steps: an assessment of the suitability, necessity and proportionality in a strict sense. The thesis The Principle of Proportionality: Critique of Theoretical Standpoints and Its Relevance describes the proportionality principle and the proportionality test in a specific legal- philosophical and legal-theoretical context. The first chapter introduces discursive theory as an important starting point for the rational application of fundamental right norms and the use of the proportionality test. For this purpose, it identifies the relationships between discourse, norms of justification and the proportionality principle. The second chapter of the thesis outlines, in relation to the existing approach of Czech legal theory, an alternative view of legal methodology..