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The Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Stanislav Balík, was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Czech Bar Association (CBA) at the 9th Assembly of the Czech Bar Association (ČAK). As stated by the Czech Bar Association: "The award belongs to him as a long-time official of the Chamber and former chairman of the Czech Bar Association from 2002 to 2003. A long-time examiner and lecturer who focuses on the young generation of lawyers. An important legal historian who has been mapping the history of the legal profession in the Czech lands for a long time, including by organizing regular conferences on the history of the legal profession."

The awarding of the award to a total of 14 personalities was reported by Advokátní deník. Among the awardees were also the first post-November chairman of the Czech Bar Association and former Minister of Justice Karel Čermák (in memoriam) and members of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Law of the University of West Bohemia Antonín Mokrý and Petr Poledník.

"I am honoured to receive this award and I promise that I will continue to defend democracy and the rule of law, to which independent advocacy definitely belongs," said Stanislav Balík when receiving the award.

In an interview for the Aleš Čeněk Publishing House website, which he gave on the occasion of the award, Balík said: "The legal professions have undergone a significant transformation since November 1989, they are again independent, trustworthy and, in the case of advocacy, notaries and court execution, fully self-governing. I am glad that I was able to participate in the transformation of the legal profession and its inclusion among the recognized legal professions in the Council of European Bar Associations from the very beginning of the post-November period."

The Cross of Merit of the Czech Bar is one of the highest professional awards awarded by the Czech Bar Association. According to the Statute of the Chamber, it is awarded to attorneys who have demonstrably done many years of dedicated work for the benefit of the legal profession, held positions in elected bodies and have often already been awarded in other ways. Its award is approved by the Board of Directors of the Czech Bar Association and the award is then presented by the President of the Chamber. The Cross of Merit therefore represents not only the recognition of professional and professional merits, but also a symbolic reminder of the role of individuals in the development of the legal profession, the rule of law and self-government of this profession.