Non-applicable but still in force: the case of the Lithuanian Register of Legal Acts

This article explores the phenomenon of legal obsolescence within the Lithuanian legal system, specifically focusing on the challenges posed by the Register of Legal Acts. As of May 2026, the Register of Legal Acts contains over 380 000 objects marked as ‘In Force’, whereas the ‘Not Applicable’ status is utilised for only 21 objects, primarily those invalidated by the Constitutional Court. This accumulation of legislation – acts that are formally in force but practically irrelevant – creates significant hurdles for legal clarity and increasingly misleads artificial intelligence systems, which may cite outdated norms as applicable law. The author identifies several distinct categories of obsolete acts cluttering the Register. These include transitional legislation from the 1990s that was never systematically reviewed, and acts issued by liquidated institutions that currently lack a legal mechanism for repeal. Furthermore, the Register is burdened by temporary collaborative mechanisms and a vast number of individual implementing acts (e.g. decrees on vacations or civil servant penalties). The indefinite publication of these individual legal acts raises personal data protection concerns, as sensitive information remains publicly accessible long after its administrative purpose has been served. The article highlights significant legislative shortcomings, including the minimal use of ‘sunset clauses’ and the failure of ‘temporary laws’ to actually expire. Drawing on international models – such as the revision commissions in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Italy’s Taglialeggi reform, and the European Union’s REFIT programme – the author suggests a systematic ‘regulatory deep cleaning’. The article concludes by proposing amendments to the Law on Legislative Framework and the Law on the Government to grant authorities the power to purge obsolete norms, thereby ensuring the Lithuanian Register remains a reliable, transparent, and technologically compatible source of law.