Osnova sekce

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    Úvod

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    Introduction of the course

    Lecturers:
    Doc. JUDr. Ondřej Frinta, Ph.D. is a member of the Department of Civil Law. He graduated from the Faculty of Law Charles University in 2004 and received his doctoral degree (JUDr.) in 2005. At the Faculty of Law, he received also his Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D., 2008) degree and became an associate professor in 2017. He is focusing on issues concerning legal regulation of subjects, both with natural and artificial nature, their legal personality, capacity to perform legal acts and their personal status in general. He is also interested in family law, especially in issues linked with the establishment of parental relationships, surrogate motherhood, new reproductive techniques etc.

    JUDr. Vít Lederer, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law at Charles University. After graduating from the faculty, he joined the institution in 2015 as a doctoral scholar. Since 2019, he has been a member of the Department of Civil Law, where he is involved in teaching private law courses, including the basic principles and concepts that underpin various areas of private law. His research primarily focuses on the institution of the Czech trust, which he explores in depth both from the perspective of the applicable law and from the perspective of a broader comparative study. In particular, he is interested in modifications of a trust and the legal positions of its parties. In general, his field of research includes property law and inheritance law.

    Course Description
    This is the first part of a two-semester course intended to comprehensively cover the main institutions of private law. The focus of instruction in this part is on institutions of private law which are assigned, within the traditional European doctrine of private law, to the general part of civil law; those are to be followed by the institutions of family law and succession law (for details see the syllabus below). The emphasis in the lectures is always put on the theoretical substance of an institution and its reflection within Czech jurisdiction and where appropriate, also on key foreign jurisdictions having represented the sources of inspiration for the contemporary Czech Civil Code, primarily Austria, Germany, France and Quebec. Explanation and interpretation of main legal institutions are always complemented with sample cases and relevant case law for the purposes of correct understanding and practicing knowledge and skills acquired.

    Schedule of the Course
    Lectures every week during winter semester.

    List of Topics
    01) Development of Private Law in European Context
    02) Fundamental Principles of Private Law
    03) Natural Persons
    04) Legal Entities
    05) Fiducia and Trust
    06) Representation
    07) Legal Facts
    08) Development of Family Law in European Context. Fundamental Principles of Family Law.
    09) Law of Personal Status. Family Relationship. Marriage, Partnership and Cohabitation.
    10) Determination of Parenthood. Surrogacy. Adoption.
    11) Parents and Children. Parental responsibility. Foster Care.
    12) Succession Law


    Form of examination:
    The course is concluded with the final exam paper. The final exam will be 40 minutes single best answer test (closed book exam), composed of 20 questions. Students are allowed to use dictionaries (native language – English; English – native language). 
    Grading is as follows: 
    20-18 points = 1
    17-14 points = 2
    13-12 points = 3
    11-0 points = 4

    Learning outcomes:

    1) Students explain fundamental legal notions (law, right, duty), distinguish between public and private law and explain main differences between them; identify and describe main stages in the development of private law, especially with regard to previous civil codes and their main features.

    2) Students distinguish between civil law as general private law and special branches of private law; describe the basic characteristics of Civil Code (incl. its structure) and other sources of private law.

    3) Students define legal principles as systemic rules permeating private law and differentiate them from specific statutory provisions; apply the three-step proportionality test (suitability, necessity, proportionality stricto sensu) to hypothetical cases.

    4) Students interpret and apply core principles governing private law relations, including autonomy of will, equality, protection of the weaker party, and good faith and analyse the role of principles in interpretation, application, and creation of law.

    5) Students explain both the historical and philosophical foundations of the concept of “person” and its significance in modern Private Law; analyse legal provisions and case law to determine whether a given entity qualifies as a (legal) person.

    6) Students define legal personality and explain its significance as a prerequisite for rights and duties; differentiate between legal personality and legal capacity and understand their interrelation.

    7) Students define the concept of a legal entity and distinguish it from a natural person; compare and critically assess major theoretical approaches to the nature of legal entities (the Theory of Fiction and the Theory of Reality).

    8) Students classify legal entities and differentiate between entities governed by private law and those governed by public law; identify and describe the main types of legal entities under Czech law and their fundamental characteristics.

    9) Students explain the legal nature and purpose of representation; differentiate between direct and indirect representation and assess their respective legal consequences for the represented party; compare fiduciary arrangements in Roman law, German Treuhand, and common law trusts, distinguishing them from representation.

    10) Students interpret statutory provisions governing representation agreements, powers of attorney, guardianship and mandate within private and public law frameworks; identify legal acts that are inherently personal and evaluate the limitations on representation in such contexts.

    11) Students explain the concept of trust in common law systems, including its historical origins and development through equity; identify the key elements of a trust and compare different types of trusts (express, resulting, constructive) and their methods of creation.

    12) Students evaluate the reception of trusts in civil law jurisdictions, including challenges and adaptations; assess how the Czech trust model aligns with the Quebec approach and its implications for Czech law.

    13) Students define the concept of legal facts and explain their role in creating, modifying, or extinguishing rights and duties; classify legal facts into those based on the will of a natural person and those independent of it; identify essential elements for the existence and validity of a legal act, including will, manifestation, and object.

    14) Students define fundamental notions of family law (Family Law, Family and Child); describe the main stages in the development of family law including main sources of Czech Family law, especially with regard to changes from patriarchal family pattern to modern family with equal status of spouses; analyse landmark decisions of the European Court of Human Rights concerning family life (Art. 8 ECHR) and explain how the concept of family has evolved in the context of human rights protection.

    15) Students explain the concept of personal status and distinguish it from legal personality; define family relationship and compute degrees of kinship in direct and collateral lines; explain the legal concept and purpose of marriage and identify its essential elements under civil law; compare partnerships, cohabitations and marriages in terms of formation, rights, and duties under national and European law.

    16) Students distinguish between the concepts of parent, parentage, parenthood, and parental responsibility, and explain legal, biological, and social dimensions of parenthood; identify and compare traditional and modern methods of determining parentage; analyse the principle “Mater semper certa est, pater incertus” in historical and contemporary legal contexts, and assess its relevance in light of surrogacy and baby-boxes.

    17) Students describe the historical development of adoption and its transformation from property-based to child-cantered institution; explain the concept of surrogacy and identify different models how legal system treats this issue; discuss historical and modern approaches to child abandonment and analyse the legal status of abandoned child and controversies surrounding baby-boxes and anonymous births.

    18) Students identify and classify the mutual duties and rights of parents and children, emphasizing their protective purpose; define the scope and content of parental responsibility under the Civil Code; evaluate judicial interventions in parental responsibility, such as suspension, limitation, or relieving of responsibility.

    19) Students differentiate between various forms of maintenance performance, such as monetary payments, in-kind provision, and personal care; apply general and special criteria for determining the extent of maintenance duties, including considerations of ability, needs, and good morals; describe the legal framework for tutorship, guardianship, foster care, and institutional care, including their respective rights and duties.

    20) Students define fundamental notions of succession law (succession law, universal succession, singular succession); identify fundamental principles of succession law; distinguish among different legal titles of legal succession; explain the notion of forced share and know relevant EHCR case law.

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    1) Development of Private Law in European Context

    Development of Private Law in European Context

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain fundamental notions (law, right, duty).
    - Students categorise law and especially distinguish between public and private law.
    - Students explain main differences between private and public law.
    - Students identify and describe main stages in the development of private law, especially with regard to previous civil codes and their main features.
    - Students describe the basic characteristics of Civil Code (incl. its structure) and other sources of private law.
    - Students distinguish between civil law as general private law and special branches of private law.
    - Students distinguish sources of procedural law as a part of public law.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sect. 1

    Case law: 
    CZ: CC Case No. Pl. ÚS 33/2000
    CZ: SAC Case No. 2 As 50/2005

    Sources:
    * Baxa, B. K dějinám kodifikace práva soukromého v zemích českých. In Rouček, F.; Sedláček, J. (reds). Komentář k Československého obecnému zákoníku občanskému a občanské právo platné na Slovensku a v Podkarpatské Rusi. Díl prvý (§§ 1 až 284). Praha: V. Linhart, 1935, pp. 44-59.
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, pp. 21-98.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 18-61.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Hrstková, J. Fundamentals of Czech Civil Law. Czech Law and European Union. Textbooks Vol. 5. Praha: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Právnická fakulta, 2005, pp. 9-11.
    * Pelikánová, I.; Pelikán, R. Historický kontext a příprava občanského zákoníku. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. XXXI-LVII.
    * Pelikánová, I.; Pelikán, R. Komentář k § 1. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 1-14.
    * Portalis, J.-É.-M.: Discours préliminaire du premier projet de Code civil, 1801, p. 13. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mafr.fr/IMG/pdf/discours_1er_code_civil.pdf [visited 2025-12-30].

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    2) Fundamental Principles of Private Law

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain the historical and philosophical background of principles of private law.
    - Students define legal principles as systemic rules permeating private law and differentiate them from specific statutory provisions.
    - Students apply the three-step proportionality test (suitability, necessity, proportionality stricto sensu) to hypothetical cases.
    - Students analyse the role of principles in interpretation, application, and creation of law.
    - Students categorise legal principles according to different criteria.
    - Students interpret and apply core principles governing private law relations, including autonomy of will, equality, protection of the weaker party, and good faith.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 2, 3, 7, 8, 15, 19, 661, 1089 et seq., 1109 et seq., 1765, 1785 et seq., 2056

    Case law: 
    CZ: CC Case No Pl. ÚS 33/97
    CZ: CC Case No I. ÚS 2166/10
    CZ: CC Case No II. ÚS 1774/14
    CZ: CC Case No I. ÚS 185/04
    CZ: CC Case No II. ÚS 249/97
    CZ: SC Case No 3 Cdon 69/96

    Sources:
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, pp. 47-54.
    * Dworkin, R. Taking Rights Seriously. London – New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013, p. 38 et seq.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 132-135.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Hobbes, T. Leviathan or the Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil. London: Andrew Crooke, 1651, p. 172. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://historyofeconomicthought.mcmaster.ca/hobbes/Leviathan.pdf [visited 2025-12-30].
    * Hrstková, J. Fundamentals of Czech Civil Law. Czech Law and European Union. Textbooks Vol. 5. Praha: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Právnická fakulta, 2005, pp. 11-12.
    * Pelikánová, I.; Pelikán, R. Komentář k § 3. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 18-25.
    * Zuklínová, M. Status – rodinné právo – nový občanský zákoník. In Správní právo č. 2003/5-6, p. 295 et seq.

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    3) Natural Persons

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain both the historical and philosophical foundations of the concept of “person” and its significance in modern Private Law.
    - Students analyse legal provisions and case law to determine whether a given entity qualifies as a (legal) person.
    - Students compare the Czech approach to classification of persons with that of German jurisprudence.
    - Students define legal personality and explain its significance as a prerequisite for rights and duties.
    - Students differentiate between legal personality and legal capacity and understand their interrelation.
    - Students explain the conditions for acquiring full and partial legal capacity, including age limits.
    - Students explain the concept of personality rights and their distinction from legal personality.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 15-22
    Sects. 23-114
    Sects. 494, 1116, 1448, 2951, 2952, 2956, 2991

    Case law: 
    AT: SC Case No 5 Ob 174/02b
    CZ: SC Case No 30 Cdo 2304/99
    CZ: SC Case No 25 Cdo 2489/2003
    ECtHR: Oberschlick v. Austria, Application no. 20834/92

    Sources:
    * Aquinas, T. Summa Theologiae. Available at: https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/aquinas/summa.shtml [visited 2025-12-30].
    * Beran, K. Komentář k § 15 až 21. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 69-115.
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, pp. 215-267.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 136-148.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Frinta, O. Komentář k § 22 až 37. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 115-180.
    *  Tilsch, E. Občanské právo rakouské. Část všeobecná. Praha: Unie, 1910, p. 93 et seq.
    * von Zeiller, F. E. Commentar über das allgemeine bürgerliche Gesetzbuch für die gesamten Deutscher Erbländer der Oesterreichischen Monarchie. Erster Band. Wien und Triest: Geistingers Verlagshandlung, 1811, p. 103.
     * Zuklínová, M. Status – rodinné právo – nový občanský zákoník. In Správní právo č. 2003/5-6, p. 295 et seq.

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    4) Legal Entities

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students define the concept of a legal entity and distinguish it from a natural person.
    - Students interpret the evolution of terminology of legal entity.
    - Students analyse the origins of legal entities in Roman law and assess their transformation through medieval and during industrialization and beyond.
    - Students compare and critically assess major theoretical approaches to the nature of legal entities (the Theory of Fiction and the Theory of Reality).
    - Students classify legal entities under Czech law and differentiate between entities governed by private law and those governed by public law.
    - Students explain the scope of legal personality of legal entities, identify exceptions to general legal capacity under Czech law and compare with the Ultra Vires Doctrine.
    - Students analyse the doctrinal debate on whether legal entities possess legal capacity and articulate arguments for both positions.
    - Students identify and describe the main types of legal entities under Czech law and their fundamental characteristics.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 15-435

    Case law: 
    USA: Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad: 118 U.S. 394 (1886)
    AT: OGH Case No 5 Ob 10/03m

    Sources: 
    * Beran, K. Komentář k § 15 až 21. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 69-115.
    * Beran, K. The Concept of Juristic Person. Prague, Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest: Wolters Kluwer, 2020, p. 66 et seq.
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, pp. 267-317.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 136-148.
    * Frinta, O. Právnické osoby. Prameny a nové proudy právní vědy no. 40. Praha: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Právnická fakulta, 2008, p. 54 et seq.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Gierke, O. Deutsches Privatrecht, uveränderter Nachdruck der 1. Aufl., Bd. 1. München - Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, 1936, p. 471.
    * Hobbes, T. Leviathan or the Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil. London: Andrew Crooke, 1651, p. 98. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://historyofeconomicthought.mcmaster.ca/hobbes/Leviathan.pdf [visited 2025-12-30].
    * Marx, K. Capital. A Critique of Political Economy. Volume One. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., 1976, p. 780. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.surplusvalue.org.au/Marxism/Capital%20-%20Vol.%201%20Penguin.pdf [visited 2025-12-30].
    * Knapp, V. Teorie práva. Praha: C. H. Beck, 1995, p. 70 et seq.
    * Sedláček, J.: Právnická osoba. Legislativní problém občanského zákoníka. ln Právník č. 11/1933, p. 330.
    * Sedláček, J. Komentář k § 26. In Rouček, F.; Sedláček, J. (reds). Komentář k Československého obecnému zákoníku občanskému a občanské právo platné na Slovensku a v Podkarpatské Rusi. Díl prvý (§§ 1 až 284). Praha: V. Linhart, 1935, p. 247 et seq.
    * von Savigny, F. C. System des heutigen Römischen Rechts. Zweyter Band. Berlin: Veit und Comp., 1840, p. 277-278.
    * Tilsch, E.: Rakouského práva občanského čist všeobecná. Provisorní vydání. Praha: 1909, s. 81.
    *  Tilsch, E. Občanské právo rakouské. Část všeobecná. Praha: Unie, 1910, p. 110 et seq.

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    5) Representation

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain the legal nature and purpose of representation
    - Students differentiate between direct and indirect representation and assess their respective legal consequences for the represented party.
    - Students assess the admissibility and potential divergence of active and passive representation under civil law principles.
    - Students interpret statutory provisions governing representation agreements, powers of attorney, guardianship and mandate within private and public law frameworks.
    - Students identify legal acts that are inherently personal and evaluate the limitations on representation in such contexts.
    - Students compare fiduciary arrangements in Roman law, German Treuhand, and common law trusts, distinguishing them from representation.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 436-488
    Sects. 49, 166, 430, 503, 657, 669, 696, 779, 780, 892, 928, 966, 955, 1481, 1496, 1584, 1868, 1935, 2027, 2455-2456, 2471

    Case law: 
    CZ: SC Case No 26 Cdo 2857/2007
    CZ: SC Case No 33 Cdo 4385/2007
    CZ: SC Case No 27 Cdo 4593/2017
    CZ: SC Case No 28 Cdo 2649/2018

    Sources:
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, pp. 318-331.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, p. 149.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Leipold, D. BGB I. Einführung und Allgemeiner Teil: ein Lehrbuch mit Fällen und Kontrollfragen. 2. aufl. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck. 2002, p. 290 et seq.
    * Nop, M. Komparace pojetí smluvního zastoupení na základě plné moci v anglickém a českém právu. In Sedláček, M.; Střeleček, T. a kol. Zastoupení. Specifika a kontext. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020. p. 129 et seq.
    *  Tilsch, E. Občanské právo rakouské. Část všeobecná. 3. vyd. Praha: Všehrd, 1925, p. 188 et seq.
    * Sedláček, J. Občanské právo československé. Všeobecné nauky. Brno: Právník, 1931, p. 185 et seq.
    * Svoboda, K. Komentář k § 436-440. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 956-973.
    * Uhlíř, D. Komentář k § 441-449. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 974-996.
    * Svoboda, K. Komentář k § 457-488. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020 pp. 1024-1077.
    * Winterová, A.; Frintová, D. Procesní způsobilost. In Winterová, A.; Macková, A. a kol. Civilní právo procesní. Díl. první: řízení nalézací. 10. vyd. Praha: Leges, 2025, p. 132 et seq.

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    6) Fiducia and Trust

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain the concept of trust in common law systems, including its historical origins and development through equity.
    - Students identify the key elements of a trust, such as equitable obligations, fiduciary duties, and duality of ownership.
    - Students distinguish between legal and equitable ownership.
    - Students compare different types of trusts (express, resulting, constructive) and their methods of creation.
    - Students evaluate the reception of trusts in civil law jurisdictions, including challenges and adaptations.
    - Students describe the unique features of the Quebec trust (fiducia) and its concept of patrimony by appropriation.
    - Students assess how the Czech trust model aligns with the Quebec approach and its implications for Czech law.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 1400-1474

    Case law: 
    CA: Royal Trust Co. c. Tucker, [1982] 1 RCS 250
    CA: Curran v. Davis, [1933] SCR 283
    CA: Banque de Nouvelle-Écosse c. Thibault, [2004] 1 R.C.S. 758, 2004 CSC 29
    GB: Earl of Oxford’s Case (1615) 1 Ch Rep 1
    GB: Saunders v Vautier (1841) 4 Beav 115

    Sources:
    * Campagnolo, Y., Grenon, A., Bélanger-Hardy, L. Elements of Quebec Civil Law: A Comparison with the Common Law of Canada. Second Edition. Éditions Yvon Blais, 2025, pp. 167–224.
    * Cumyn, M. C. Rapport Général. In: Cumyn, M. C. La fiducie face au trust dans les rapports d’affaires / Trust vs Fiducie in a Business Context. XVe Congrès International de Droit Comparé. Brussels: Bruylant, 1999, pp. 11–30.
     * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 3. Díl třetí: Věcná práva. Praha: Wolters Kluwer, 2015, p. 180 et seq.
    * Emerich Y. Conceptualising property law : Integrating Common Law and Civil Law Traditions. Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc. 2018, pp. 235–270.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 191-192.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Hayton, D., Matthews, P., and Mitchell, Ch. Underhill and Hayton: Law of Trusts and Trustees. 17th edition. London: LexisNexis Butterwoths, 2006, p. 2.
    * Hudson, A. Equity and Trusts. Sixth Edition. Routledge-Cavendish, 2010, pp. 3–67.
    * Ryan, K. W. The Reception of the Trust in the Civil Law. University of Cambridge, 1959, pp. 2–55.
    * Lederer, V. Fiducie a svěřenský fond. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2021, p. 45 et seq.

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    7) Legal Facts

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students define the concept of legal facts and explain their role in creating, modifying, or extinguishing rights and duties.
    - Students classify legal facts into those based on the will of a natural person and those independent of it.
    - Students identify essential elements for the existence and validity of a legal act, including will, manifestation, and object.
    - Students interpret principles governing contracts, such as consensus and pacta sunt servanda.
    - Students discuss the significance of time as a legal fact.
    - Students evaluate the effects of statutory limitation and prescription on rights and obligations in civil law.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 545-654

    Case law: 
    CZ: CC Case No II. ÚS 635/09
    CZ: CC Case No II. ÚS 158/99
    CZ: CC Case No III. ÚS 21/02
    CZ: CC Case No IV. ÚS 2766/15
    CZ: SC Case No 30 Cdo 2585/2007
    CZ: SC Case No 21 Cdo 1965/2024
    CZ: SC Case No 22 Cdo 1491/2019
    CZ: SC Case No 27 Cdo 3955/2017

    Sources:
    * Bar, C. von, Clive, E. a kol. Principles, Definitions and Model Rules of European Private Law. Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR). Full Edition. Volume 1. München: Sellier, European law publishers, 2009, pp. 108–137.
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 1. Díl první: Obecná část. 2., aktualizované a doplněné vydání. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, a. s., 2016, p. 154 et seq.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 153-159.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Leipold, D. BGB: Einführung und Allgemeiner Teil. Ein Lehrbuch mit Fällen und Kontrollfragen. 2. Aufl. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2002, p. 298 et seq.
    * The UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts 2004. In Comparative Perspective. Tulane European and Civil Law Forum, 2006, s. 1–33.
    * Zuklínová, M. Právní jednání podle občanského zákoníku č. 89/2012 Sb. Komentář, srovnání se zahraničím a vybraná platná judikatura. Praha: Linde Praha, 2013, p. 11-48.
    * Zuklínová, M. Úvod do problematiky právních skutečností. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 1230-1232.
    * Zuklínová, M. Komentář k § 545-547. In Švestka, J.; Dvořák, J.; Fiala, J. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář Svazek I. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2020, pp. 1232-1247.

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    8) Development of Family Law in European Context. Fundamental Principles of Family Law

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students define fundamental notions (Family Law, Family and Child).
    - Students describe the main stages in the development of family law, especially with regard to changes from patriarchal family pattern to modern family with equal status of spouses.
    - Students critically evaluate the hybrid character of family law, its intersection with public and private law.
    - Students identify principles developed by the Commission on European Family Law (CEFL) and understand their role in harmonizing family law across European jurisdictions.
    - Students identify and briefly explain the fundamental principles of Czech family law, including legal protection of family life, equality, solidarity, and the best interests of the child, etc.
    - Students analyse landmark decisions of the European Court of Human Rights concerning family life (Art. 8 ECHR) and explain how the concept of family has evolved in the context of human rights protection.
    - Students identify and describe the constitutional, international, and statutory sources of Czech family law, and understand their hierarchical structure.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 3, 30 and 655

    Case law: 
    ECtHR: Marckx v. Belgium, Application no. 6833/74
    ECtHR: Keegan v. Ireland, Application no. 16969/90
    ECtHR: Schalk and Kopf v. Austria, Application no. 30141/04

    Sources: 
    * Čuperová, S. Lidskoprávní východiska mezinárodněprávní ochrany dítěte a participace dětí. In Šínová, R.; Kapitán, Z. a kol. Rodina v mezinárodních souvislostech. Praha: Leges, 2019, pp. 64-72.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Hanuš, D. Ohrožené dítě v právu soukromém a veřejném. Studie Národohospodářského ústavu Josefa Hlávky 6/2024. Praha: Národohospodářský ústav Josefa HLávky, 2024, pp. 30-53.
    * Hrušáková, M.; Králíčková, Z.; Wesphalová, L. a kol. Rodinné právo. Praha: C. H. Beck, 2015, pp. 3-25.
    * Radvanová, S.; Zuklínová, M. Kurs občanského práva. Instituty rodinného práva. Praha. C. H. Beck, 1999, pp. 1-11.
    * Schwenzer, I.; Dimsey, M. Model Family Code from a Global Perspective. Antwerpen – Oxford: 2006, pp. 1-5.
    * Svoboda, Emil. Rodinné právo československé. Praha: Vesmír, 1935, pp. 6-7.
    * Zuklínová, M.; Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 2. Díl druhý. Rodinné právo. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2016, p. 19-25.

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    9) Law of Personal Status. Family Relationship. Marriage, Partnership and Cohabitation.

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students explain the concept of personal status and distinguish legal personality.
    - Students define family relationship and compute degrees of kinship in direct and collateral lines.
    - Students distinguish between legal in-law relationships and social affinity relationships in family law contexts.
    - Students explain the legal concept and purpose of marriage and identify its essential elements under civil law. 
    - Students evaluate legal impediments to marriage and interpret the consequences of invalid or ostensible marriages.
    - Students compare partnerships and marriages in terms of formation, rights, and duties under national and European law. 
    - Students assess the impact of ECtHR and CJEU case law on the recognition and regulation of same-sex partnerships.
    - Students define household, common household, and family household and explain their relevance in civil law provisions.
    - Students assess the legal consequences of cohabitation in areas such as succession, maintenance, and public law rights.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sect. 15, 22, 29-37, 49, 74, 646, 836, 806, 807, 867, 885, 886, 1098, 771-774, 655-770, 1526, 1636 and 1637, 2279, 2920, 2301

    Case law: 
    ECtHR: Christin Goodwin v the United Kingdom, Application no. 28957/95
    ECtHR: Fedotova and Others v. Russia, Applications nos. 40792/10, 30538/14 and 43439/14
    CJEU: C-713/23 (Wojewoda Mazowiecki)
    CZ: CC Case No. Pl. ÚS 52/23

    Sources: 
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 159-166.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Hrušáková, M.; Králíčková, Z.; Wesphalová, L. a kol. Rodinné právo. Praha: C. H. Beck, 2015, pp. 43-117.
    * Janiš, D.; Janišová, J. Spáčil, O. Manželství v historických souvislostech. In Šínová, R.; Šmíd, O. a kol. Manželství. Praha: Leges, 2014, pp. 21-69.
    * Radvanová, S.; Zuklínová, M. Kurs občanského práva. Instituty rodinného práva. Praha. C. H. Beck, 1999, pp. 13-71; 201-208.
    * Schwenzer, I.; Dimsey, M. Model Family Code from a Global Perspective. Antwerpen – Oxford: 2006, pp. 7-85.
    * Straka, L. Nesezdané soužití v právu. Ochrana slabší strany, autonomie vůle a evropské koncepce právní úpravy. Academic Papers. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2025, pp. 37-50.
     * Zuklínová, M. Status – rodinné právo – nový občanský zákoník. In Správní právo č. 2003/5-6, p. 295 et seq.
    * Zuklínová, M.; Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 2. Díl druhý. Rodinné právo. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2016, p. 26-67; 169-183.

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    10) Determination of Parenthood. Surrogacy. Adoption.

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students distinguish between the concepts of parent, parentage, parenthood, and parental responsibility, and explain legal, biological, and social dimensions of parenthood.
    - Students interpret the scope and limitations of the child’s right to know their origins in accordance with ECtHR case law.
    - Students identify and compare traditional and modern methods of determining parentage.
    - Students analyse the principle “Mater semper certa est” in historical and contemporary legal contexts, and assess its relevance in light of surrogacy and baby-boxes.
    - Students explain the concept of surrogacy and identify different models how legal system treats this issue.
    - Students explain the evolution of paternity determination rules, and critically assess ECtHR case law and Czech legal presumptions of paternity.
    - Students discuss historical and modern approaches to child abandonment and analyse the legal status of abandoned child and controversies surrounding baby-boxes and anonymous births.
    - Students describe the historical development of adoption and its transformation from property-based to child-centered institution, including the main elements of Czech legislation on adoption.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 775-793
    Sects. 794-854

    Case law:
    ECtHR: Odièvre v. France, Application no. 42326/98
    ECtHR: Godelli v. Italy, Application no. 33783/09
    ECtHR: Yildrim v. Austria, Application no. 34308/96
    ECtHR: Rasmussen v. Denmark, Application no. 8777/79
    ECtHR: Kňákal v. the Czech Republic, Application no. 39277/06
    ECtHR: Shofman v. Russia, Application no. 74826/01
    ECtHR: Mizzi v. Malta, Application no. 26111/02
    ECtHR: Paulík v. Slovakia, Application no. 10699/05
    CZ: ConCourt Case No. I. ÚS 3226/16
    UK, House of Lords: Ampthill Peerage Case [1977] AC 547

    Sources:
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 167-172.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Frintová, D. Komentář k 775-793. In Zuklínová, M.; Elischer, D.; Nová, H. a kol. Občanský zákoník. Komentář. Svazek II. 2. vyd. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2023, pp. 295-383.
    * Frintová, D.; Frinta, O. Surrogacy from the Czech perspective: „past the point of no return“. In Mostowik, P. (ed.). Fundamental legal problems of surrogate motherhood. Global perspective. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Institutu Wymiaru Sprawiedliwości, 2019, pp. 659-707.
    * Hrušáková, M.; Králíčková, Z.; Wesphalová, L. a kol. Rodinné právo. Praha: C. H. Beck, 2015, pp. 127-180.
    * Radvanová, S.; Zuklínová, M. Kurs občanského práva. Instituty rodinného práva. Praha. C. H. Beck, 1999, pp. 73-91.
    * Schwenzer, I.; Dimsey, M. Model Family Code from a Global Perspective. Antwerpen – Oxford: 2006, pp. 96-127.
    * Zuklínová, M.; Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 2. Díl druhý. Rodinné právo. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2016, p. 26-67; 69-105.

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    11) Parents and Children. Parental responsibility. Foster Care.

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students describe the historical development of parental authority, from Roman law through the ABGB 1811 to modern civil law.
    - Students identify and classify the mutual duties and rights of parents and children, emphasizing their protective purpose.
    - Students define the scope and content of parental responsibility under the Civil Code, including care, protection, upbringing, representation, and asset administration. 
    - Students explain the duration and legal nature of parental responsibility, and its creation and extinction. 
    - Students evaluate judicial interventions in parental responsibility, such as suspension, limitation, or relieving of responsibility.
    - Students differentiate between various forms of maintenance performance, such as monetary payments, in-kind provision, and personal care. 
    - Students apply general and special criteria for determining the extent of maintenance duties, including considerations of ability, needs, and good morals. 
    - Students analyse case law illustrating the interpretation of maintenance standards.
    - Students describe the legal framework for tutorship, guardianship, foster care, and institutional care, including their respective rights and duties.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code:
    Sects. 777, 778, 855 et seq., 910 et seq., 928 et seq.

    Case law:
    CZ: CC Case No III. ÚS 606/04
    CZ: CC Case No I. ÚS 1393/17
    CZ: CC Case No IV. ÚS 650/15
    CZ: CC Case No IV. ÚS 2691/24
    CZ: SC Standing No Cpjn 204/2012
    CZ: SC Case No 24 Cdo 80/2020
    CZ: SC Case No 4 Tdo 250/2012

    Sources:
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 172-176.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Frinta, O. The Czech Republic. In Karczewski, D.; Słyk, J.;  Wilczek-Karczewska, M. (eds). Parental Authority. Cross-Disciplinary Analysis fo a Legal Institution. Volume III: Parental Authority from the Perspective of International Law and Selected Legal Systems. Warszawa: Academie Wymiaru Sprawiedliwości, 2023, pp. 139-173.
    * Frinta, O.; Frintová, D.; Elischer D. Children and Their Debts: Current Situation in the Czech Republic. Part Three: Practical, Ethical, Procedural and Comparative Perspectives and Current Proposals of Legislative Solutions. In Prawo w Działaniu. [Law in Action]. Sprawy cywilne, 2021, no. 46, pp. 204-222.
    * Hrušáková, M.; Králíčková, Z.; Wesphalová, L. a kol. Rodinné právo. Praha: C. H. Beck, 2015, pp. 181-250.
    * Radvanová, S.; Zuklínová, M. Kurs občanského práva. Instituty rodinného práva. Praha. C. H. Beck, 1999, pp. 73-158; 165-187.
    * Schwenzer, I.; Dimsey, M. Model Family Code from a Global Perspective. Antwerpen – Oxford: 2006, pp. 136-176.
    * Zuklínová, M.; Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 2. Díl druhý. Rodinné právo. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2016, p. 26-67; 106-168.

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    12) Succession Law

    Learning outcomes:
    - Students define fundamental notions: succession law, universal succession, singular succession.
    - Students identify fundamental principles of Succession Law and sort them in relevant pairs.
    - Students identify and analyse prerequisites of inheritance.
    - Students identify and distinguish among different legal titles of legal succession.
    - Students explain the notion of forced share and know relevant EHCR case law.

    Relevant provisions of Czech Civil Code: 
    Sects. 1475-1720

    Case law: 
    ECtHR: Jarre vs. France, Application no. 14157/18

    Sources:
    * Bednář, V. Dědické právo v novém občanském zákoníku. In Obchodní právo, 2012, vol. 21, no. 5., pp. 162-170.
    * Dvořák, J.; Švestka, J.; Zuklínová, M. a kol. Občanské právo hmotné. Svazek 4. Díl čtvrtý. Dědické právo. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2019, p. 17-51; 116-138.
    * Eliáš, K.; Zuklínová, M. Principy a východiska nového kodexu soukromého práva. Praha: Linde Praha a. s., 2001, pp. 198-210.
    * Elischer, D. Darování a jeho podoby v novém soukromém právu. Praha: Wolters Kluwer ČR, 2016, pp. 81-88.
    * Frinta, O. Private Law in the Czech Republic – Development, Presence and Prospects, In Moon, J.; Tomášek, M. et al. Law Crossing Eurasia. From Korea to the Czech Republic. Passau-Berlin-Prague: rw&w, 2015, pp. 63-89.
    * Horák, O.; Daduová, M.; Osina, P. Czech Inheritance Law and the Signigicance of Tradition. In The Lawyer Quarterly, 2019, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 333-348.
    * Hrstková, J. Fundamentals of Czech Civil Law. Czech Law and European Union. Textbooks Vol. 5. Praha: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Právnická fakulta, 2005, pp. 85-88.
    * Mikeš, J.; Muzikář, L. Dědické právo v teorii a praxi. Praha: Leges, 2011, p. 9-11.
    * Tilsch, E. Dědické právo rakouské se stanoviska srovnávací vědy právní. Část. I. Praha: Sborník věd právních a státních (Brusík & Kohout) 1905, pp. 9-38.

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