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.
Discussions
For law students and the public, we organize discussions on the topics of democracy, the rule of law, equality and reflect on important current societal problems.
Cooperations
Cooperation is an important value for us. We want to connect with other non-profit organizations, public institutions and professionals who help society and Slovakia to progress.
Pro Bono
Our ambition is to cooperate with law firms and connect them with individuals and non-governmental organizations in order to provide Pro Bono services.
Strategic Litigation
We deal with society-wide cases with value and legislative impact in the area of justice, gender equality and human rights.
Education
We are currently preparing an educational program for law students focused on value education and the development of soft skills important for the performance of this profession, such as professionalism, academic honesty, empathy and engagement. We will open registration in the spring of 2025. Follow our website and social networks for up-to-date information.
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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Martin has been practicing law as a lawyer since 1996, when he founded the law firm Krivak & Co. He completed foreign internships at Radcliff College London, King’s College London, Cambridge, The London School Of Economics and Political Science. While working for Arthur Andersen, he was a lecturer in the field of law in the Netherlands and the USA. He lectured at foreign universities, also acted as an advisor to the boards of large companies on fundamental issues and represented the state before the courts in several strategic disputes. He currently works as a lawyer, negotiator and mediator. He is the founder of the Law Institute.
Jana Ďaďová
Program Coordinator
dadova@pravnyinstitut.sk, +421907739502
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Jana studied International Relations at the University of Economics in Bratislava, she completed study stays in Moscow, Warsaw and Gdańsk. She cooperated with several civic associations in a managerial positions. In the Barlička association, she worked with seniors and young people with disabilities, in the Plusko association with children and youth, and in the Center for Environmental and Ethical Education Živica, she led the Socrates Institute for almost seven years. In the Law Institute, she coordinates the main activities of the association.
Tomáš Koval
Assistant
koval@pravnyinstitut.sk
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Tomáš graduated from the Law Faculty of the Comenius University in Bratislava. As part of his studies, he completed several clinical legal courses, such as public procurement management, competition law, or simulated litigation. Since 2020, he has been a stable part of the Krivak & Co team, currently working here as a paralegal. It focuses primarily on administrative law, especially administrative punishment, administrative justice and public procurement, as well as the issue of fundamental rights.
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.