On the 26th and 27th of September, the second-year junior interns of the Central European Academy (CEA) participated in a Supervisor workshop led by legal historian doc. JUDr. et Mgr. Ondřej Horák, Ph.D.. The workshop provided an in-depth exploration of the roots of modern civil law, focusing on the historical development of Czech civil law and its sources of inspiration.
The first day featured a presentation titled "Selected Chapters of (Czech) Civil Law II. Sources of Inspiration." In this lecture, Prof. Horák traced the origins of the current Czech Civil Code back to ancient legal systems, particularly Roman law, as well as the influence of natural law traditions. He discussed the role of historical legal frameworks, such as the ABGB (Austrian Civil Code) and BGB (German Civil Code), in shaping Czech legislation. Through these historical lenses, Prof. Horák demonstrated how these foreign systems provided key legal concepts that were adapted and integrated into Czech law.
The presentation included practical and engaging examples, such as “Acquisition from a non-owner” and “Finding a treasure,” to illustrate the relevance of historical legal principles in today’s Czech civil law. These cases exemplified the enduring nature of legal concepts rooted in Roman law and natural law, showing the participants how historical precedents continue to influence modern legislation.
On the second day, Prof. Horák shifted the focus to the development of civil law science in the Czech and Slovak regions. He offered an extensive overview of the work of Emanuel Tilsch (1866–1912), a pivotal figure in the evolution of Czech civil law, whose contributions have had a lasting impact on legal thought and codification. Prof. Horák also discussed other notable legal scholars, such as Jan Krčmář (1877–1950), Emil Svoboda (1878–1948), and Jaromír Sedláček (1885–1945), whose works played an instrumental role in shaping Czech legal doctrine and academic scholarship. By highlighting these legal minds, Prof. Horák traced the milestones of civil law development in Czechoslovakia, illustrating the intellectual legacy that shaped the current legal landscape.
To complement the lecture, the students themselves contributed by presenting legal scholars from their own countries of origin. Notable figures such as Ivan Maurović, Béni Grosschmid, Gyula Eörsi, János Zlinszky, Constantin N. Hamangiu, and Fryderyk Zoll (junior and senior) were introduced, all of whom played significant roles in the codification of private law in their respective nations. These scholars, hailing from various Central and Eastern European countries, enriched the comparative aspect of the workshop by providing insights into legal traditions beyond the Czech and Slovak contexts.
Overall, the workshop delivered a comprehensive look into the historical influences on modern civil law, especially within the Czech legal system, and highlighted the intellectual contributions of key legal scholars. Prof. Horák's engaging lectures and the students' presentations created a rich learning environment that allowed participants to appreciate the shared and unique aspects of legal development across Europe. The workshop was not only a deep dive into Czech civil law’s past but also an opportunity for students to connect their own national legal traditions with broader European influences.
