The Effect of the Roman Law on Punishment

Abstract

The laws of advanced democracies are often inspired by the Roman law. The Slovak Republic is no exception. In the area of punishment, it is even one of the most important institutes. The institute of necessary defence is based on the principle of vim vi repellere licet and creates conditions for the protection of life, health and property in cases where these are not capable of being ensured by the state authorities. The principle of ne bis in idem provides protection against repeated punishment of the offender for the same act and is one of the greatest guarantees of maintaining legal certainty.