The forthcoming amendment to the Divorce Act promises to make divorce in the Czech Republic significantly faster, cheaper and more pleasant. The Ministry of Justice has backed up its proposal with statistics. In the case of contested custody proceedings before the court, the proceedings stretched to 228 days between 2020 and 2022.
We have already reported here that Lucie Řezáčová, a judge at the Prague-East District Court, is a record holder in this regard. In the custody proceedings, she handed down a judgment concerning alternate (asymmetrical) custody of two minor children in favour of the father on 15 March 2024, which is exactly 1,122 days from the start of the proceedings, i.e. from the mother's filing for divorce (18 February 2021). Moreover, the judgment is still not final, since the judge has requested an extension of time to prepare the written reasons (as of 30.04.2024, 1 168 days from the commencement of the proceedings).
In a state governed by the rule of law, the courts are independent. They have the freedom to choose and decide without any external pressure. However, such a degree of freedom requires enormous responsibility. The paradox of freedom lies in its limitations. Procrastination - the tendency to postpone the performance of activities and tasks until a later date - is completely unacceptable. After all, nothing less than the future of two young children is at stake.
The question is why this individual procrastination does not cause wrinkles for the President of the aforementioned District Court.
According to our information, if the length of the custody proceedings exceeds one year, it is customary for the judge to report to his or her superior every 14 days on what specific steps he or she has taken in the case.
Western civilisation is based on the Ten Commandments. Too bad Moses didn't "compromise" one more.
Thou shalt not procrastinate!
Lenka Krejzová
grandmother of children and columnist
24.4.2024
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An asymmetrical judgment totally against common sense and against children !
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