Faculty

International Student Guide

After its renewal in 1991, the Faculty of Law became an integral part of the second oldest university in the Czech Republic. In accordance with the targets and priorities of the European Union one of its most important objectives is the progressive development in the field of international education and training. Therefore, it supports student and teacher mobility and welcomes all international students interested in studying at it.

At the moment the Faculty provides two international study programs – the Central European Legal Program and the Joint Degree Program in European Studies (together with the University of Salzburg).

The beginnings of legal studies at a higher level are closely connected with the establishment of the University in Olomouc in 1573. Actual instruction started 100 years later, in 1677, by lecture in Canon Law, followed two years later by formally opened studies in profane law, but continuous disputes within   the academic Community blocked the development of instruction of civil law.            

The next step was reached in 1725 when the Moravian Community established the Nobility Academy at the University. In 1755 lectures in natural and international law were opened. Further development is a continuous line of limitations and re-openings of law studies. This difficult development reached its peak in 1855 when legal studies in Olomouc were abolished by the Kaiser’s Decree, and the whole university was disestablished 5 years later, with the exception of the Faculty of Divinity.

Efforts made by later generations to renew legal education in Olomouc were in vain. Nor did it happen after the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The University of Olomouc was renewed only after World War II in accordance with Act No. 35/1946 Coll. on the Renewal of Olomouc University. The University was renewed, including the Faculty of Law, as literally stated in the Act. The Faculty should have been open on the basis of a ministerial decree. Despite the great effort of the academic community, as well as that of the lay public, several generations again tried, in vain, to get that decree.

The new history of the Faculty starts after 1991, based on the decision of the Academic Senate and with the support of the spiritual father of the idea of renewal of the Faculty of Law, Prof. PhDr. Josef Jařab, CSc., Rector of the University, and the first Dean of the Faculty, late Doc. JUDr. Miroslav Liberda.

The renewal of the faculty would not have been possible without the support of foreign academic institutions as well as outstanding personalities. To name al least some of them, they were Prof. U. Hafelin of the Law Faculty of Zurich, Prof. W. Posch and Prof. A. Stolz of Karl-Francens Univerzitat Graz, Prof. J. Murphy of Georgetown University Washington.

Grants awarded by important foundations from abroad – the Ford Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, and others, enabled the Faculty to finance some activities to enrich and deepen regular instruction.

• Number of students in the Academic Year 2007/2008: 1830
  
• Number of new students: 436
  
• Number of graduates in the Academic Year 2006/2007: 172
  
• Number of recounted teachers: 80