Professor Krzysztof Rączka Passes Away at 72

The news in Polish

1. prawnik  (m.)
   Osoba, która zajmuje się prawem, zazwyczaj jako zawód. ↩︎
2. akademik  (m.)
   Osoba pracująca na uczelni lub związana z akademią, zajmująca się nauką lub nauczaniem. ↩︎
3. przewodnik  (m.)
   Osoba, która prowadzi innych, dając rady lub pokazując drogę. ↩︎
4. smutny
   Odczuwający lub wyrażający żal bądź przygnębienie. ↩︎
5. ważny
   Posiadający dużą wagę lub znaczenie. ↩︎
6. odważny
   Mający odwagę, nie bojący się podejmować ryzyka. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What was Professor Krzysztof Rączka’s field of expertise?

Question 2: Where did Professor Rączka work as an academic?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
prawnik  (m.)	lawyer
akademik  (m.)	academic
przewodnik  (m.)	guide
smutny	sad
ważny	important
odważny	brave

Read the full story

The Polish legal and academic communities are mourning the death of Professor Krzysztof Rączka, who passed away at the age of 72. News of his death was shared by the Association of Polish Judges IUSTITIA on social media, where the organisation expressed profound grief over the loss of a prominent figure in the judiciary.

Professor Rączka’s passing has been described as a significant loss to the fields of law and education in Poland. Known as a remarkable lawyer and an academic at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Law, he dedicated much of his life to the study and practice of labour law. Colleagues and students admired him for his vast knowledge, courage, and sensitivity towards others. His contributions to protecting the rule of law and highlighting threats to judicial independence have left a lasting impact.

Born in 1953 in Warsaw, Professor Rączka pursued law at the University of Warsaw, achieving his master’s degree in 1976. He later became involved in various governmental roles, including positions within the Legislative Council at the Prime Minister’s Office. His academic career was distinguished by his tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw and his authorship of over 160 publications.

In 2016, he was appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court of Poland, specifically within the Chamber of Labour, Social Security, and Public Affairs. His judicial work was marked by his dedication to upholding the constitution and advocating for a fair legal system, often facing challenges during Poland’s judicial reforms. In July of this year, he retired from active service.

Professor Rączka’s academic and professional achievements were celebrated last year during a special commemorative event at the University of Warsaw, where he was praised for his ability to engage with diverse perspectives and reconcile differences with respect and openness. This ethos of compromise and peace was reflected in tributes from European parliamentarian and former Mayor of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, who remembered him as a wise guide for their law faculty.

The legacy of Professor Rączka will be cherished by his family, friends, and colleagues, who collectively acknowledge his profound influence on Polish legal practice and education. The judiciary and academic circles have conveyed condolences, underlining the remarkable character and contributions of Professor Krzysztof Rączka.

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