Honorary Doctorate awarded to Professor Reinhard Bork

On 22 January 2026, Charles University awarded a honoris causa doctorate to two major personalities: Professor Reinhard Bork, who supports academic research at the Faculty of Law of Charles University, and Professor Jan Deprest, who collaborates with the Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University.

After completing his studies in Münster, Reinhard Bork started teaching courses in civil law, business law, economic law, and civil procedure at his alma mater. He briefly worked as a professor at the University of Bonn, from where he moved to the University of Hamburg, where he headed the Department of Civil Procedure and General Procedural Law for over 30 years. In addition to holding positions in top research and legal institutions, he served as a judge of the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg and was a visiting professor position at the National Taiwan University and Kyoto University. In his research, he specialises in civil law, civil procedure, and insolvency law.
Professor Bork has had a close relationship with the CU Faculty of Law since the early 90s. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, he played a key role in organising a series of German lectures held within a partnership established between the universities in Prague and Hamburg. He has also been a member of the editorial board of the PF UK journal Acta Universitatis Carolinae Iuridica for many years.

In his acceptance speech, Reinhard Bork referred to Charles IV as the “Emperor of the sword and the word” and spoke of his contribution to the Golden Age of Prague. Naturally, Professor Bork mentioned the foundation of the University, which he considers among the most prestigious institutions in the world. Speaking of the degree as a “great honour”, he also recalled the lectures in German law he gave at the Faculty of Law, where he was welcomed with warmth and respect from the students, colleagues, and the institution itself. He also emphasised that the University has always fostered relationships with foreign institutions. Professor Bork said he had a deep professional and personal bond with the Law Faculty to which he will soon return to lecture. While thanking Rector Milena Králíčková, Dean of the Faculty of Law Radim Boháč, his family, as well as the musicians present in the Karolinum, for the award and the ceremony, he reminded the auditorium that “respect should not be built on one’s position, but on one’s actions”.
 
Author: Jan Borek
Photo: Michal Novotný