Legal Symposium

A functioning legal system is considered one of the three political pillars of democracy. Violations of laws and court decisions have recently become a frequent subject of discussions in Austria. The declining respect of judicial authority in Austria and Europe is often deplored. But what are the reasons for this apparent decline of the acceptance of judicial authority? Are legal provisions not taken seriously enough? Which role do values and beliefs play? What do young people expect of the judicial system? Or is the fierce criticism directed at the judiciary only another attempt at calling policy makers to account?

This year's topic of the newly established Legal Symposium at the European Forum Alpbach will be: "Acceptance of Law in Rapid Decline?". In four plenary sessions and one special lecture, selected experts from the fields of science, justice and politics will thoroughly examine this topic from the perspectives of civil, criminal and constitutional law.