We educate, network and support the legal community.
The Law Institute is a civil association focused on strengthening the value of the legal community. We want awyers in our country to be actively involved and contribute to the development of civil society, its strengthening, and help to consistently enforce the principles of the rule of law, democracy and equality, already during law studies and when entering this profession.
THE VALUES WE LIVE BY
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE
We educate
- We educate young lawyers.
- We provide education, workshops, seminars, trainings, discussions and other events for professionals and the public.
We network
- We bring together lawyers performing activities in the field of public interest law and providing Pro Bono legal services.
- We cooperate with organizations and persons from the public, non-profit and corporate environment.
We support the legal community
- We implement strategic litigation.
- We carry out publication and popularization activities.
- We carry out research, surveys, analyses, consulting,consulting and advisory activities.
Education
We are committed to developing the legal community by fostering a strong value system and enhancing professional skills. To achieve this, we are currently developing:
- A year-long academy for students
- A series of trainings, courses, and conferences
- Opportunities for expert discussions
Cooperations and networking
We provide direct support to civil society and focus on human rights advocacy:
- We facilitate connections between third sector organizations and pro bono legal services.
- We partner with other associations and institutions.
- We specialize in strategic litigation.
Work with the public
Our ambition is to increase public trust in institutions, the legal profession, and to strengthen democracy in Slovakia. To achieve this, we plan to implement the following activities:
- Discussions on today’s most important issues
- Podcasts
- Awards for lawyers
Publishing activities
We aim to disseminate verified data, valuable ideas, and current information. To promote critical thinking and data literacy, we will be publishing the following for both professionals and the general public:
- Academic articles
- Books
- Surveys
HISTORY
“We stand on the foundations of the renowned law firm Krivak & Co with a twenty-year history.”
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Establishment of the Law Institute
Martin Krivák started organizing discussions on the recodification of civil law and the commercial code. It enabled students and young lawyers to participate in various foreign conferences and various programs.
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Own premises
Premises on Klemensova Street were purchased, which are used for organizing discussions and small forms of debates on societal topics. The goal was to create a space that will be a workshop base and an inspiring place not only for young lawyers.
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Other activities
Martin Krivák became the administrator of the Slovak Advocacy Foundation, where he transformed his experience and activities within the framework of an informal association into meaningful activity. During several years of administration, the foundation supported projects, awarded awards and supported the socially disadvantaged.
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Cooperation with universities
We established cooperation with the University of Trnava and a year later the cooperation was signed. The law institute supported GESAP, a mock legal case competition in which students compete. A year later, cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the Comenius University was established.
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First activities and guests at Klemensova
The first event we organized in the new premises was a memorial meeting on November 17. We also hosted the Socrates Institute during its 10th anniversary celebration. Prince Karel Schwarzenberg introduced himself as the first guest of the discussion for the general public. Later we also hosted Zora and Martin Bútorov, Martin M. Šimečka and Lukáš Jeník.
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Established civic association
We formalized our activities in the form of a civil association on August 2, 2023. In it, we are dedicated to education, networking and support of the legal community and mediation of pro bono services.
Establishment of the Law Institute
Martin Krivák started organizing discussions on the recodification of civil law and the commercial code. It enabled students and young lawyers to participate in various foreign conferences and various programs.
Own premises
Premises on Klemensova Street were purchased, which are used for organizing discussions and small forms of debates on societal topics. The goal was to create a space that will be a workshop base and an inspiring place not only for young lawyers.
Other activities
Martin Krivák became the administrator of the Slovak Advocacy Foundation, where he transformed his experience and activities within the framework of an informal association into meaningful activity. During several years of administration, the foundation supported projects, awarded awards and supported the socially disadvantaged.
Cooperation with universities
We established cooperation with the University of Trnava and a year later the cooperation was signed. The law institute supported GESAP, a mock legal case competition in which students compete. A year later, cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the Comenius University was established.
First activities and guests at Klemensova
The first event we organized in the new premises was a memorial meeting on November 17. We also hosted the Socrates Institute during its 10th anniversary celebration. Prince Karel Schwarzenberg introduced himself as the first guest of the discussion for the general public. Later we also hosted Zora and Martin Bútorov, Martin M. Šimečka and Lukáš Jeník.
Established civic association
We formalized our activities in the form of a civil association on August 2, 2023. In it, we are dedicated to education, networking and support of the legal community and mediation of pro bono services.
OUR TEAM
Martin Krivák
Executive Director
krivak@pravnyinstitut.sk
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A practicing attorney since 1996, he founded the law firm Krivak & Co. and has since held various roles in the legal profession. His international experience includes internships at Radcliffe College London, King’s College London, Cambridge, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as lecturing on law in the Netherlands and the United States. He has advised the boards of major corporations, represented the state in strategic lawsuits, and currently works as an attorney, negotiator, and mediator. He is also the founder of the Law Institute.
Zuzana Zoláková
Program Consultant
zuzana@pravnyinstitut.sk
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Zuzana holds a degree in Political Science from the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague, and a law degree from the Law Faculty of the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik. During her studies, she organized discussions focusing on topics in medical law. After graduation, she continued her work as a lecturer for healthcare professionals, specializing in privacy, informed consent, confidentiality, and medical records management. During Slovakia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, she worked in the public service at the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Slovak Republic, focusing on international relations and the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) after its entry into force. Data privacy and access to information have been her areas of expertise for over a decade, whether working as a lawyer or in-house counsel. She enjoys designing processes and making small changes with a big impact. In addition to these activities, she has volunteered with the Foundation Stop Corruption and mentors in the educational project Socratic Institute.
Jana Ďaďová
Program Coordinator
dadova@pravnyinstitut.sk, +421907739502
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Having completed her studies in International Relations at the University of Economics in Bratislava, which included research stays in Moscow, Warsaw, and Gdansk, she has since held various managerial positions within the civil society sector. Her experience spans working with seniors and young people with disabilities at the Barlička Association, supporting children and youth at the Plusko Association, and leading the Socrates Institute at the Živica Center for Environmental and Ethical Education for nearly seven years. She currently coordinates the core activities of the Law Institute.
OUR PREMISES
We are located in newly renovated premises at Klemensová 9 in Bratislava – Staré Mesto. These spaces are available for rent for various discussions, private events and regular events.