30th Anniversary of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic

This year the Supreme Court commemorates the 30th anniversary of its existence within an independent state. On this occasion, its representatives organised a festive event associated with the presentation of the first publication mapping the history and activities of the top institution in the field of general justice.

“The three decades we have lived through give us the opportunity to look back into the history of our Republic and the emergence of this important institution of justice. At the time when the Slovak Republic gained its independence, there were many tasks of fundamental importance. One of them was to ensure a fair judicial system that would serve our citizens and protect their rights and freedoms,” said Pavol Naď in his speech. He added that in 2021, we witnessed, some even directly witnessed, another important milestone in the judiciary when the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic was established. “This step shows us how important the development of our judicial system is, as well as our ability to adapt to the times and the needs of society.”

Pavol Naď concluded his solemn speech with words from the publication Karol Plank – The Work and the Times by the authors Professor Ján Svák and Dr Martin Gregor, who in the monograph outline the vision of the first President of the Supreme Court of the independent Slovak Republic. In their work they write that for Professor Karol Plank the question of the form of the administrative judiciary and his basic position towards it was very important. The authors of the work also note his statement in which he argued that “if we want to live in a democratic state governed by the rule of law, it is necessary to guarantee citizens their constitutional right to judicial protection against unlawful decisions of the executive.” Pavol Naď pointed out that the words of the first President of the Supreme Court are a challenge to all of us. It is important that the already started activities of the Supreme Administrative Court continue to be filled with real content. “Only in this way will the work and time of Karol Plank be materialized in our present.”

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Court, the Vice-President of the Supreme Administrative Court, Marián Trenčan, and several judges of the Supreme Administrative Court who served on the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court before the establishment of the local court. Among the invited judicial dignitaries were also the President of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic Ivan Fiačan, the President of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic Ján Mazák and the President of the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic Peter Angyalossy.