Slovakia's new Civil Code will bring major changes to the rules governing contracts, inheritance and other areas of private life. MPs approved it with a constitutional majority of 90 votes on Thursday, and it will take effect next July.
Justice Minister Boris Susko (SMER-SD) says the Civil Code affects people throughout their lives — from contracts and property to inheritance and compensation for damages. He says the current code dates back to 1964, has been amended around 70 times, and that attempts to replace it have been under way since 2009. Susko says the new code is the result of expert work rather than a party-political project.
The new rules will give people more freedom to arrange their affairs, while introducing new safeguards for those in weaker positions. They will also introduce new forms of inheritance, including inheritance contracts, as well as new rules for major changes in circumstances after a contract has been agreed. The legislation will also bring together rules currently divided between the Civil and Commercial Codes.
Most opposition parties voted against the bill, criticizing, among other things, the lack of public information about the changes. According to opposition MP Zuzana Števulová (PS) the government has not done enough to inform the public and that people may not have enough time to prepare for the changes. The Justice Ministry rejects that criticism, saying it will launch an information campaign and that people will have enough time to get familiar with the new rules.
The only opposition party to support the bill was KDH. The party’s leader Milan Majerský says the Christian Democrats helped change the legislation through two amendments, including provisions introducing a new form of security interest and a private fund.
Source: STVR, TASR
