DPM Koprivica: Work of Valtazar Bogišić represents indispensable foundation for development of modern legislation

On this day in 1888, the General Property Code for Montenegro was enacted, representing one of the most significant state, legal, and civilisational achievements in the history of our country.

This magnificent legal monument, created thanks to the vision and wisdom of Valtazar Bogišić and the reformist role of then Prince, later King, Nikola Petrović, laid the foundation for the rule of law, legal security, equality before the law, protection of fundamental property rights, and the development of a market economy on modern grounds. It also served as one of the markers of Montenegro’s recognition on the broader international stage. Its value surpasses the time in which it was created and the subject matter it addressed, affirming universal principles of justice and fairness.

Notable French jurist Dareste expressed an opinion that vividly reflects this achievement of Montenegro: “This masterpiece is a credit and a pride both to the learned jurist who forged it and to the ruler who inspired it.”

One of the starting ideas for this major state-legal endeavor—“nothing advances the proper development of nations and states, nothing secures their prosperity as much as a well-ordered judiciary, everywhere and equally for all”—remains an imperative today for every government in building a democratic and open society and a state governed by law.

It is our duty not to forget Valtazar Bogišić and to ensure that his work, which is not limited to the General Property Code, remains alive among generations. Montenegro has both the obligation and the need to institutionally establish a lasting remembrance of Valtazar Bogišić’s contribution to the legal and cultural heritage and the state development of Montenegro.

The Ministry of Justice’s commission working on the codification of the Civil Code, which includes eminent experts and the foremost connoisseur of Bogišić’s work in former Yugoslavia, academician Zoran Rašović, continues the legal tradition founded by Valtazar Bogišić, whose legacy still serves as an indispensable support for the development of modern legislation. It will fulfill a significant mission of importance for the legal and economic system of our country, which is also one of the priorities of the Government of Montenegro’s programme of work.

This anniversary is an opportunity to recall how important legal tradition and respect for the law are for the development of a modern, democratic society. On these foundations, we build institutions that serve citizens, strengthen the rule of law and reinforce trust in the legal order, especially today, as our legal system undergoes qualitative transformation in the process of harmonisation with the legal acquis of the EU.

In the spirit of the legacy of the General Property Code, we remain committed to improving legislation, protecting the rights of every individual and building a society of equal opportunities for all.

May this significant date in our legal and state history remind us of the values that unite us and oblige us to preserve and develop them for the generations to come.