Farewell to Judges Emeritus at the Presidential Palace
For the first time in the history of the Slovak Republic, a ceremonial farewell was held for judges who are leaving the judicial system this year due to reaching their retirement age. The President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, and the President of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, Marcela Kosová, received twenty judges emeritus at the Presidential Palace on November 21, 2024. On this occasion, they both personally thanked them for their long-term work in the judiciary and their personal contributions to building the pillars of an independent judicial system. “I do appreciate greatly that you all accepted the invitation to this ceremonial event, which aims to deliver a moral appreciation of your hard work and gratitude for all the years you have worn the judicial robe. I believe that you will remember this time primarily with love, a smile on your lips and a sparkle in your eye. Whoever did not form a loving bond with the blindfolded lady could not do this profession," said Marcela Kosová, the President of the Judicial Council, in her speech to the judges emeritus. The President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, emphasized that "the decisions of the courts contribute to the extent to which citizens consider society to be fair – whether they trust not only the judiciary but also the entire democratic system."
The judges ending their term received a decree of thanks from President Pellegrini. The President of the Judicial Council presented them with a specially made plaque of thanks. "We were pleasantly surprised that after all these years, someone finally remembered the departing judges. We are thrilled. It was kind, immediate, and I also believe sincere," Ľubica Břoušková from the Bratislava Regional Court shared her impressions shortly after the ceremony. "The work was very difficult, strenuous, and responsible at the same time. We tried to organize it in a way that would satisfy all participants, even though it was difficult. Such a celebratory act was missing and it is a very gratifying event”, said Ivan Daňo, a judge from the Humenné District Court.
“When I took the office, unfortunately, an international visitor came to the castle that day and we were inaugurated only in the courtroom of the Supreme Court. It was not a ceremony so I don’t have many memories of that moment. I said to myself that since the beginning was like that, I would attend the closing ceremony and hoped it would be much more beautiful and pompous. And it was. I am here and I am pleasantly surprised. It had its weight, the speeches were tailored to the work of a judge and our position in society. It was a very nice point at the end of our career”, said Emília Guľová from the Municipal Court in Košice.
Among the departing judges were judges of City, Regional and District courts and the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic. The largest number of departing judges emeritus served in the Košice Region. With this ceremonial act, the President of the Slovak Republic and the President of the Judicial Council established a new tradition of a dignified farewell to departing judges.
If you are interested, you can view the ceremonial thanks to emeritus judges by clicking on the attached link.
Ceremonial speech of Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic
- 181kB
Ceremonial speech of Marcela Kosová, President of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic - 370kB
The judges ending their term received a decree of thanks from President Pellegrini. The President of the Judicial Council presented them with a specially made plaque of thanks. "We were pleasantly surprised that after all these years, someone finally remembered the departing judges. We are thrilled. It was kind, immediate, and I also believe sincere," Ľubica Břoušková from the Bratislava Regional Court shared her impressions shortly after the ceremony. "The work was very difficult, strenuous, and responsible at the same time. We tried to organize it in a way that would satisfy all participants, even though it was difficult. Such a celebratory act was missing and it is a very gratifying event”, said Ivan Daňo, a judge from the Humenné District Court.
“When I took the office, unfortunately, an international visitor came to the castle that day and we were inaugurated only in the courtroom of the Supreme Court. It was not a ceremony so I don’t have many memories of that moment. I said to myself that since the beginning was like that, I would attend the closing ceremony and hoped it would be much more beautiful and pompous. And it was. I am here and I am pleasantly surprised. It had its weight, the speeches were tailored to the work of a judge and our position in society. It was a very nice point at the end of our career”, said Emília Guľová from the Municipal Court in Košice.
Among the departing judges were judges of City, Regional and District courts and the Supreme Administrative Court of the Slovak Republic. The largest number of departing judges emeritus served in the Košice Region. With this ceremonial act, the President of the Slovak Republic and the President of the Judicial Council established a new tradition of a dignified farewell to departing judges.
If you are interested, you can view the ceremonial thanks to emeritus judges by clicking on the attached link.
Ceremonial speech of Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic
- 181kBCeremonial speech of Marcela Kosová, President of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic
- 370kB