On 25 September 2026, the Faculty of Law in Rijeka hosted a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of its founding. It was a great pleasure to welcome our dear students, faculty members, associates, partners and friends of the Faculty, who filled the Academician Lujo Margetić Hall to capacity.
Welcome addresses were delivered by distinguished guests: Prof. Dr. Goran Hauser, Rector of the University of Rijeka; Prof. Dr. Iva Rinčić, Mayor of the City of Rijeka; Dr. Robert Matić, Deputy Prefect of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County; Mr. Ivica Omazić, Judge and President of the High Commercial Court of the Republic of Croatia; Ms. Inga Vezmar Barlek, LLM, Judge and President of the High Administrative Court of the Republic of Croatia; Prof. Dr. Frane Staničić, Judge and President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia; Mr. Damir Habijan, Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of the Republic of Croatia; Prof. Dr. Radovan Fuchs, Representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia; and Mr. Nikša Peronja, Representative of the President of the Republic of Croatia and Adviser to the President on Relations with Local and Regional Self-Government.
Each of the speakers highlighted the importance and distinctive role of the Faculty of Law in Rijeka from their perspective and expressed particular recognition of its teaching, research and professional work. Their addresses reflected the reputation that the Faculty has built over the decades within the academic community and wider society, as well as the value of its contribution to educating new generations of lawyers, advancing legal scholarship and professional practice. Particular emphasis was placed on the dedication of our faculty members and associates, the quality of education we provide to our students, and the Faculty’s continued contribution to the development of the legal profession and society as a whole.
Prof. Dr. Dario Đerđa, Dean of the Faculty of Law in Rijeka, then reflected on 50 years of excellence at the Faculty, recalling the most significant events, milestones and achievements that have shaped its development over five decades as an institution of higher education. He highlighted the continuity of the dedicated work of successive generations of faculty members and associates, the development of its teaching and research activities, and the role the Faculty has played over the decades in educating lawyers and advancing legal scholarship and the legal profession for the benefit of the wider community.
In her report, Elena Bašić, President of the Student Union of the Faculty of Law in Rijeka, presented the key aspects of the work of students and student associations, highlighting their active role in shaping the identity of the Faculty.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to present awards and recognitions for outstanding achievements over the past year. The following distinctions were awarded: a recognition to Student of the Year Dorotea Žuteg; an award for the best scientific paper published in a foreign journal in 2025 to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanja Smokvina; a recognition to the Legal Clinic – Centre for Free Primary Legal Aid; and recognitions to former deans of the Faculty of Law in Rijeka: Prof. Dr. Ivan Padjen; Prof. Dr. Mladen Montana; Prof. Dr. Miomir Matulović; Prof. Dr. Eduard Kunštek; and Prof. Dr. Vesna Crnić-Grotić. Congratulations once again to all the award recipients!
Musical performances by the “Josip Kaplan” Youth Choir and the “Val” Rijeka Chamber Choir enriched the programme marking this important anniversary.
