Reforma studiów prawniczych 1949–1950 w Polsce. Zarys problematyki

Abstract

In the first decade of the Polish People’s Republic the authorities undertook a number of actions that were aimed at changing the previous nature of the judiciary, which was planned to be transformed into one of the tools for exercising power. The transformation process covered not only the judges of that time who performed their duties as members of the administration of justice of the Polish People’s Republic. The authorities also undertook actions aimed at shaping future judges according to new political-ideological requirements. Changes planned in the process of educating future lawyers were supposed to serve this purpose. The reform of academic law studies developed by new authorities was supposed to break with the traditional way of educating lawyers. Rejection of subjects regarded as useless, with historical-legal studies at the top of the list, was to be accompanied by the introduction of political-ideological subjects. The reform of law studies was also supposed to cover the very organisation of course studies. At the same time, the authorities created the so-called law high schools where, among others, future judges were supposed to be educated. Substantial curriculum was limited as much as possible in favour of the political-ideological training of judges of the people’s administration of justice.