Studia Iuridica Caroliensia 1. [antikvár]

Preface Dear Reader, On behalf of the Faculty of Law of the Károli Gáspár University of the Hungárián Reformed Church I would like to suggest and recommend this booklet introducing our Faculty to you. This is our initial attempt in compiling it in foreign languages and if successful, we will plan to publish it on an annual basis. By way of introduction, I shall say a few words about the history of our Faculty. In Hungary, at the start of the 181*1 century, protestant legal education had a high regard for old traditions when protestant legal academies were established in several parts of the country including Sárospatak, Máramarossziget, and Debrecen. These academies were in existence until the first half of the 20,h century. In 1831 the Protestant Legal Academy, the legal predecessor of the Faculty of Law of the Károli Gáspár University of the Hungárián Reformed Church was founded in Kecskemét. It was in 1949, during the communist era, that the Protestant Legal Academy in Kecskemét was alsó closed down, and the protestant legal faculty could be reinstated again only in 1998, after the political changes were made. Our Faculty currently operates as an institution maintained by the Hungárián Protestant Church and is accredited as a legal education provider. Students may apply for an academic and PhD program at our Faculty. The current enrollment in our academic program exceeds nine hundred. As the historical introduction indicates, 2006 is a special event for us as it marks the 175,h anniversary of the establishment of our Faculty. Furthermore, I'd like to devote a few words in this booklet to our Dear Reader, who will find 16 essays with 13 compiled in English, 2 in Germán and one in French. Each is followed by a summary in either Germán or English. The authors are all professors, lecturers and researchers of the Faculty of Law of the Károli Gáspár University of the Hungárián Reformed Church. As illustrated in the table of contents, the diversity and the comprehensive array of themes covered in this initial booklet, allows for you, the Dear Reader to familiarize yourself with extensive subject matter belonging to various branches of law. It is our hope that this booklet will enrich the Dear Reader with useful and valuable insights and that you will anticipate our next publication in 2007. Budapest, February 2006 Dr. Gábor MÁTHÉ Dean