Supreme Court President Radovan Dobronić passes away

The President of the Supreme Court, Radovan Dobronić, passed away last night in his apartment in Zagreb, at the age of 66. He had been suffering from a serious illness, and his condition had worsened over the past month. Many expressions of condolences have arrived on the occasion of his death. Everyone agrees on one thing - he was a Gentleman Judge, he judged only and exclusively according to law and justice.

Radovan Dobronić is best known to the general public for the ruling of the Commercial Court in which he ruled in favor of borrowers against eight banks related to loans in Swiss francs 12 years ago. Many consider him a gentleman and gentleman of the Croatian judiciary, and emphasize that, adhering to the letter of the law, he did not back down from any political, interest-based or other pressure.

The Franak Borrower’s Association had a particularly moving farewell to him, stressing that back in 2013; he gave them hope for a just outcome after theft on the part of banks, when with his unique and brilliant verdict he made the entire public aware that consumer rights are guaranteed by European Union law.

“In my opinion the greatest man in Croatia in the 21st century has left us, Radovan Dobronić, who dedicated his entire life to law and justice. He was a great humanist, he loved people and he didn't like crime and corruption. It would be good if there were many more judges like him,” said the coordinator of the Franak Borrower's Association legal team, Goran Aleksić.

“Mr. Dobronić's premature departure is a great loss for Croatia and the Croatian judiciary,” emphasized President Zoran Milanović in his expressions of condolences, noting that Radovan Dobronić, as a judge for many years, best demonstrated how independent and professional judgment protects the fundamental legal values of society and legal certainty, and especially the rights of citizens.

“Through his work in the Croatian judiciary, he significantly contributed to achieving justice, which should be the main goal and purpose of every judicial system,” said the president.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also believes that his departure leaves a deep mark on our country's judicial system and that Radovan Dobronić contributed to improving legal certainty, supporting individual rights and promoting justice, as well as strengthening the independence of the judiciary.

Minister of Justice Damir Habijan has had the opportunity to work with him.

“As the president of the Supreme Court and during his career as a judge at the Commercial Court in Zagreb, he left a great mark in judicial circles. I had a chance to meet him when I was a lawyer, through lawyer-judge contact, but also as minister of justice we had contact while he was the president of the Supreme Court and we had correct and good cooperation. Once again I express my condolences to the family and the news this morning truly saddened me,” said Habijan.

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković also expressed his condolences.

“I believe that his colleagues and associates will respectfully remember his overall contribution to the legal profession, his professionalism, as well as his human qualities,” said Jandroković.

The Supreme Court issued a statement saying that Dobronić's death has affected the judges and officials of the Supreme Court and the entire judicial branch, which he headed for the last three and a half years. Although seriously ill, he performed his duties until the very end.

On Monday, the State Judicial Council will authorize a Supreme Court judge to perform court administration duties until the election of a new Supreme Court president.

Source: HRT