The study program provides for the acquisition of fundamental professional legal competencies and knowledge related to the essential legal disciplines necessary for obtaining a legal profession and successfully starting a career in the legal field, as well as later for successfully passing the bar exam. The core courses, or legal disciplines through which necessary legal knowledge is acquired, include: Constitutional Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Civil Law, Civil Litigation, Administrative Law, Labor and Social Law, Commercial and Company Law, Financial and Tax Law, Private International Law, Fundamentals of European Public Law, and International Law.
In addition to specific professional knowledge, the study program also envisages the acquisition of generic competencies. All courses of the integrated undergraduate and graduate university program in Law are logically connected, thus further facilitating students' progress through the program and achieving all anticipated learning outcomes.
An appropriate sequence of courses is ensured, and prerequisites for enrollment in each course are clearly defined. Specifically, the Law study program is organized in such a way that, through a systematic approach, an appropriate sequence of individual courses is provided. At the beginning of the program, the focus is on general and introductory generic disciplines or courses, and in the later years, it gradually shifts towards fundamental positive law disciplines or courses. Specialization, as well as the contextualization of positive law within a broader social context and its connection with other disciplines, is then enabled through the study program in the final years of study, by gradually opening up options for students to choose from an increasing number of elective courses.
The study program ensures that students are introduced to all key legal disciplines or branches of law during their studies. In the process of designing the study program, key competencies necessary for the legal profession were identified, and the program is structured to ensure that students develop these competencies throughout their studies.
Furthermore, since the bar exam is a prerequisite for performing various legal professions (lawyer, notary public, judiciary, state attorney), the Law program at the Catholic University of Croatia (CUC) includes, among other things, as mandatory courses, all those subjects covered by the bar exam. Thus, unlike comparable law programs at other universities or law faculties in Croatia, the Law program at CUC includes Judicial Organization, Bankruptcy Law, and Enforcement Law as mandatory courses, since these are also part of the bar exam syllabus. Additionally, through a specific course and a practicum, students acquire necessary communication skills and learn legal drafting of court decisions and various submissions (appeals, lawsuits, proposals, etc.), as well as legislative drafting skills. This ensures that students acquire the necessary competencies in key legal areas during their studies, including the legal knowledge and skills required for working in the judiciary, but also outside the judiciary where a bar exam is not required (e.g., corporate lawyer, public administration lawyer, legal roles in academic and educational institutions, diplomacy, etc.).
Furthermore, practical instruction is provided in fundamental legal areas in the form of legal practicums, partly organized through professional internships in courts, state attorney's offices, law firms, notary public offices, or state administration bodies, as well as in European and other international judicial institutions.
- Courses, Competencies and Skills
The Law study program at the Catholic University of Croatia (CUC) integrates a range of courses designed to develop generic competencies. These courses are divided into mandatory and elective components, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience.
Among the mandatory courses aimed at developing generic competencies are Introduction to Law, Legal History, Legal Sources and Methodology of Legal Research, Fundamentals of Communication Skills in Law, Ethics of the Legal Profession, Fundamentals of Economics for Lawyers, Roman Law, Legal Drafting Practicum, and Foreign Language (English). These courses equip students with foundational skills essential for academic and professional development.
Elective courses offer additional opportunities to acquire and expand generic competencies. Examples of such courses include Human Rights and Social Ethics, Children’s Rights, Society and Corruption, Sociology, and Sociology of European Integration. A special category of elective courses titled "General or Generic Area" provides an interdisciplinary perspective on law, with courses such as Law and Artificial Intelligence, Law and Demography, Law and Bioethics, Law and Philosophy, Law and Rhetoric, and historically oriented courses like Fundamentals of Statutory Law of Dubrovnik and Dalmatian Cities. These courses enrich students' understanding of law within broader societal and cultural contexts.
In addition to traditional legal education, the program places a strong emphasis on the integration of technology and digital competencies. Students are introduced to modern IT systems and technologies used in the judiciary, which are transforming legal practice and research across various disciplines, including the humanities. They learn to use tools and methods for collecting, processing, and presenting digital data, utilizing legal information systems, and applying technological solutions in legal contexts.
As the digitalization of the judiciary becomes increasingly prevalent, students are prepared to navigate these changes. The study program includes the mandatory course Judicial Organization, which addresses digital communication and court management. Elective courses such as Judicial Digitalization Practicum and Law and Artificial Intelligence further enhance students' digital competencies.
The combination of generic and legal-specific competencies ensures that students are prepared for the evolving demands of the legal profession. The study program is designed to align with learning outcomes that emphasize the integration of theory with practice, fostering creativity and innovation, and preparing students for lifelong learning. This comprehensive approach equips future legal professionals with the skills necessary to excel in a dynamic and technology-driven legal environment.
- First year
Year of study: I – semester: 1 (winter)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER*
L
P
S
ECTS
Introduction to Law
Prof. Vanja-Ivan Savić, Ph.D.
50
0
30
8
Legal History
Prof. Ivica Miškulin, Ph.D.
Asst. Prof Mirza Hebib, Ph.D.
Assoc. Prof. Atila Čokolić, Ph.D.
60
0
15
8
Assoc. Prof. Petra Palić, Ph.D.
50
0
20
6
Legal Sources and Methodology of Legal Research
Prof. Vanja-Ivan Savić, Ph.D.
Asst. Prof. Luka Šikić, Ph.D.
30
20
0
4
English Language I
Tihana Bagić, Ph.D.
30
10
0
4
Year of study: I – semester: 2 (summer)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
Constitutional Law
Asst. Prof. Mato Palić, Ph.D.
60
0
20
8
Asst. Prof. Kristian Turkalj, Ph.D.
45
0
25
6
Roman Law
Asst. Prof. Mirza Hebib, Ph.D.
45
0
15
6
Human Rights
Assoc. Prof. Marijana Kompes, Ph.D.
Prof. Vesna Barić-Punda, Ph.D.
Katarina Krasić, Ph.D. (cand.)
30
0
30
6
English Language II
Tihana Bagić, Ph.D.
30
10
0
4
* In addition to classical instruction (lectures (L), seminars (S), and exercises/practicals (P)), in this programme for the study of Law an important instruction method will be students' work with mentor, both individually and in smaller groups. In each course listed in this study programme, students will – beyond lectures, seminars and exercises (to which all students attend jointly) – have designated teaching hours for individual or smaller-group based work with mentor (instructor in the respective course), in the amount of teaching hours equivalent to the ECTS points attributed to the course in question. This will amount to a total of 300 teaching hours of mentorship for the entire study. For more on this type of teaching as envisaged in the UNICATH study programme of Law, see the response under Standard 3.2.
- Second year
Year of study: II – semester: 3 (winter)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Criminal Law I
Assoc. Prof. Dijana Gracin, Ph.D.
Asst. Prof. Zdenko Konjić, Ph.D.
85
0
15
10
C
Asst. Prof. Tomislav Sokol, Ph.D.
Ivan Malenica, Ph.D.
50
0
30
8
C
Practicum in Administrative Law – P1
Ivan Malenica, Ph.D.
10
50
0
6
C
Essentials of Communication Skills in Law
Assoc. Prof. Filip Galović, Ph.D.
Jadranka Travaš, Judge of County Court Zagreb
Josip Turkalj, Justice at Supreme Court
30
20
20
4
C
English Language III
Tihana Bagić, Ph.D.
20
10
0
2
C
Year of study: II – semester: 4 (summer)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Civil Law I - General Part and Law of Obligations
Prof. Zvonimir Slakoper, Ph.D.
75
0
30
10
C
Criminal Procedure Law
Asst. Prof. Zdenko Konjić, Ph.D.
Asst. Prof. Gregori Graovac, Ph.D.
Ana Garačić, Justice of Supreme Court
50
0
30
8
C
30
0
15
4
C
Practicum in Criminal Law I – P2
Asst. Prof. Zdenko Konjić, Ph.D.
10
50
0
6
C
English Language IV
Tihana Bagić, Ph.D.
20
10
0
2
C
- Third year
Year of study: III – semester: 5 (winter)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
70
0
35
10
C
Family Law
Prof. Nenad Hlača, Ph.D.
50
0
20
6
C
Labour Law
Prof. Mario Vinković, Ph.D.
50
0
20
6
C
Social Security Law
Prof. Mario Vinković, Ph.D.
30
0
15
4
C
Elective Course I
40
0
0
4
E
Year of study: III – semester: 6 (summer)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Civil Law II - Property Law and Succession Law
Prof. Ante Perkušić, Ph.D.
60
10
30
8
C
International Law
Prof. Davor Vidas, Ph.D.
60
0
20
8
C
Enforcement Law
Ivan Malenica, Ph.D.
30
0
15
4
C
Practicum in Civil Law I – P3
Prof. Zvonimir Slakoper, Ph.D.
10
50
0
6
C
Elective Course II
40
0
0
4
E
In the third year of studies, students can enrol in elective courses from the following groups:
Criminal Law electives;
Public Law and Status Law electives;
International Law electives;
- Ecclesiastical Law electives;
- General or Generic electives.
- Fourth year
Year of study: IV – semester: 7 (winter)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Commercial Law and Company Law
Morana Derenčinović Ruk, Ph.D.
60
10
30
10
C
Essentials of Canon Law
Prof. Josip Šalković, Ph.D.
Assoc. Prof. Lucija Boljat, Ph.D.
45
0
20
6
C
Financial and Tax Law
Assoc. Prof. Petra Palić, Ph.D.
Ivan Reiner, Ph.D.
45
0
15
6
C
Bankruptcy Law
Asst. Prof. Jelena Čuveljak, Ph.D.
30
0
15
4
C
Elective Course III (or Legal Practicum (elective))**
40
0
0
4
E
Year of study: IV – semester: 8 (summer)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Organisation of Judiciary
Asst. Prof. Kristian Turkalj, Ph.D. 45
30
15
8
C
Asst. Prof. Tomislav Sokol, Ph.D.
45
0
20
6
C
Asst. Prof. Odilon Singbo, Ph.D.
Josip Turkalj, Justice of the Supreme Court
Marijan Janković, Attorney
Hana Hoblaj, Public Notary
30
0
15
4
C
Practicum - Drafting of Legal Acts - P4
Assoc. Prof. Filip Galović, Ph.D.
Jadranka Travaš, Judge of County Court of Zagreb
Josip Turkalj, Justice of Supreme Court
Ana Garačić, Justice of Supreme Court
0
45
10
4
C
Elective Course IV
40
0
0
4
E
Elective Course V
40
0
0
4
E
In the fourth year of studies, students enrol in elective courses from the following groups:
Criminal Law electives;
Civil Law electives;
Commercial and Financial Law electives;
Public Law and Status Law electives;
International Law electives;
Ecclesiastical Law electives;
General or Generic electives.
** Instead of one elective course, it is possible to enrol in one elective practicum (the list is the same as in the 5th year: see the list at page 10, below).
- Fifth year
Year of study: V – semester: 9 (winter)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Prof. Vesna Lazić, Ph.D.
80
0
30
10
C
Practicum in European Law – P5 (*)
Asst. Prof. Kristian Turkalj, Ph.D.
Iris Gović Penić, Judge of County Court of Zagreb
10
50
0
6
C
Elective Course VII
40
0
0
4
E
Elective Course VIII
40
0
0
4
E
Practicum (Elective) – P6
10
50
0
6
E
Year of study: V – semester: 10 (summer)
COURSE
COURSE LEADER
L
P
S
ECTS
STATUS
Legal Research Seminar and Graduate Paper completion***
Course leaders/ mentors
0
120
120
30
C
In the fifth year (9th semester), students enrol in elective courses from the following groups:
Civil Law electives;
Commercial and Financial Law electives;
International Law electives;
Ecclesiastical Law electives;
General or Generic electives.
In the fifth year (9th semester), students enrol in one elective practicum of their choice from the following list:
Practicum in Criminal Law II – Prof. Damir Primorac, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Zdenko Konjić, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Gregori Graovac, Ph.D.
Practicum in Civil Law II - Prof. Ante Perkušić, Ph.D., Prof. Mario Vinković, Ph.D., Iris Gović Penić, Judge of the County Court of Zagreb, Prof. Nenad Hlaća, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Jelena Čuveljak, Ph.D., Ivan Malenica, Ph.D.
Practicum in Commercial Law – Asst. Prof. Jelena Čuveljak, Ph.D., Morana Derenčinović Ruk, Ph.D.
Practicum in International Law - Prof. Davor Vidas, Ph.D.
Practicum in Digitalization in Judiciary - Asst. Prof. Kristian Turkalj, Ph.D., Dražen Penzar.
*** In the final, tenth semester students can choose a theme for legal research from the courses they attended to in the previous nine semesters. Within that framework, students enrol in a legal research seminar and thereupon work on the completion of their graduation paper/thesis.
- Elective Course System
The elective course system allows students to further specialize in one or more legal fields. Electives are offered across six key legal areas: (1) Criminal Law, (2) Civil Law, (3) Commercial and Financial Law, (4) Public and Status Law, (5) International Law, and (6) Canon Law. Additionally, the program provides a seventh category of electives, which is not tied to a specific legal discipline but is instead general or interdisciplinary in nature.
Most courses do not have prerequisites for enrollment, as indicated in the syllabus of each course. However, some elective courses and legal practicums do require prerequisites. For example, the elective Legal Practicum – Criminal Law II requires students to have passed Criminal Law I and II, Criminal Procedure Law, and Legal Practicum – Criminal Law I. Similarly, enrollment in the Legal Practicum – Civil Law II requires completion of Civil Law I and II, Civil Procedure Law, and Legal Practicum – Civil Law I.
Furthermore, the elective Criminal Law II can only be taken after passing the exams in substantive and procedural criminal law. For elective courses in International Law, such as Law of the Sea, International Humanitarian Law, Diplomatic and Consular Law, Law of International Organizations, Dispute Resolution in International Law, Climate Change and International Law, and the Legal Practicum – International Law, the prerequisite is the successful completion of the mandatory course International Law.