Union of Prosecutors of the Czech Republic

The Union of Prosecutors of the Czech Republic (Czech: Unie státních zástupců České republiky, USZ) is a voluntary, non-political professional association (spolek) of public prosecutors, legal trainees (právní čekatelé) and prosecutor assistants (asistenti státních zástupců) working within the Czech public prosecution service. It was founded on 27 November 1995 and has its registered seat at Senovážné náměstí 995/1 in Prague 1. Membership is individual and voluntary; according to the association, roughly 40% of Czech prosecutors, legal trainees and assistants are members. Its activities are financed from members' contributions. The Union's stated purpose is to help the public prosecution service fulfil its role as a specific state body responsible for protecting democratic society, citizens and other subjects against crime. It seeks to strengthen all principles and measures aimed at maximum legality in prosecutors' decision-making, free from any improper internal or external influence. It also participates in the professional training and further development of prosecutors and legal trainees, and defends their material and social interests. The Union is organised through sections (sekce) formed by prosecutors, trainees and assistants of one or more prosecution offices. Each section has an executive committee of at least three members elected for three years, headed by a chairperson, and a general assembly of members convened at least annually. The Union's highest body is the Assembly of Section Representatives, which elects and recalls the Executive Committee, the President, Vice-Presidents, the Control Commission and the Ethics Commission, and approves and amends the Statutes. The Executive Committee (5–13 members, elected by secret ballot for three years) is the executive body; the President, assisted by two Vice-Presidents, is the statutory body. The Union also maintains a Control Commission and an Ethics Commission, and the Executive Committee establishes standing commissions including legislative, media, organisational, educational, international, social and inventory commissions. Regional councils are established in the districts of regional prosecution offices. The Union is a member of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP). It maintains international contacts, including joint meetings and declarations with the Council of Prosecutors of the Slovak Republic. It also engages in public commentary on developments affecting the prosecution service, and promotes publications by its members. Its presidents have included Ctirad Löffelmann (1996–2002), Arif Salichov (2002–2005), Petr Cigánek (2005–2008), Lenka Bradáčová (2008–2014), Zdeněk Matula (2014–2017), Jan Lata (2017–2023) and, since 2023, Tomáš Foldyna. Lenka Bradáčová has been named honorary president.

The Union of Prosecutors of the Czech Republic was founded on 27 November 1995 as a voluntary professional association of public prosecutors, legal trainees and prosecutor assistants in the Czech Republic. Its legal form was originally a civic association (občanské sdružení); following the recodification of Czech civil law, it became a spolek as of 1 January 2014. Its seat is at Senovážné náměstí 995/1 in Prague 1. The association was established to give prosecutors a collective professional voice independent of the state prosecution hierarchy, while remaining non-political. Its founding generation of leaders included Ctirad Löffelmann, who served as president from 1996 to 2002. He was succeeded by Arif Salichov (2002–2005), Petr Cigánek (2005–2008), Lenka Bradáčová (2008–2014), Zdeněk Matula (2014–2017), Jan Lata (2017–2023) and, from 2023, Tomáš Foldyna. Lenka Bradáčová, later a well-known senior prosecutor, was granted the title of honorary president in recognition of her services to the Union. Over the decades the Union has built a structure of local sections, regional councils and central bodies. Its highest body is the Assembly of Section Representatives, which meets at least once a year and elects the Executive Committee, the President, Vice-Presidents, the Control Commission and the Ethics Commission. The Executive Committee, composed of 5 to 13 members elected by secret ballot for three-year terms, manages the association's affairs between assemblies. The President, assisted by two Vice-Presidents, is the statutory body. The Union also operates standing commissions for legislative, media, organisational, educational, international, social and inventory matters. The Union has been active in professional education and in commenting on legislative and organisational developments affecting the prosecution service. It participates in the preparation and further professional development of prosecutors and legal trainees and defends their material and social interests. It also maintains international relations: it is a member of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) and cooperates with the Council of Prosecutors of the Slovak Republic, with which it has held joint meetings and issued joint declarations. In 2026, for example, USZ representatives met the Slovak Council of Prosecutors and adopted a joint statement. The Union also engages with the broader legal community. It is a partner of the Union of Czech Lawyers (Jednota českých právníků) and supports projects such as 'On Criminal Law with a Prosecutor' and the Lawyer of the Year award. It regularly informs members about new legal publications by colleagues, including works by Roman Šír and Petra Vítková. It has also publicly commented on sensitive personnel developments, such as the resignations of two prominent prosecutors and former USZ representatives who cited a critical stance as their reason. Membership remains voluntary, with roughly 40% of Czech prosecutors, legal trainees and assistants reported as members, and the association is financed by members' contributions.

• 2026

  Joint meeting with the Council of Prosecutors of the Slovak Republic and adoption of a joint declaration.

• 2023

  Tomáš Foldyna becomes President.

• 2017

  Jan Lata becomes President (2017–2023).

• 2014

  Legal form changes from civic association to spolek under the new Civil Code.

• 2014

  Zdeněk Matula becomes President (2014–2017).

• 2008

  Lenka Bradáčová becomes President (2008–2014).

• 2005

  Petr Cigánek becomes President (2005–2008).

• 2002

  Arif Salichov becomes President (2002–2005).

• 1996

  Ctirad Löffelmann begins term as President (1996–2002).

• 1995

  Union of Prosecutors of the Czech Republic founded as a voluntary professional association.

A voluntary, non-political professional association representing and supporting Czech public prosecutors, legal trainees and prosecutor assistants, focused on legality, professional development and the defence of members' material and social interests.

• Membership services

  Voluntary membership for prosecutors, legal trainees and prosecutor assistants, with sections, regional councils and central bodies.

• Professional training and education

  Participation in the professional preparation and further development of prosecutors and legal trainees.

• Legislative and professional commentary

  Statements and positions on legislative and organisational matters affecting the prosecution service.

• International cooperation

  Membership in the International Association of Prosecutors and cooperation with the Slovak Council of Prosecutors.

• Publications and information

  Information about new legal publications by members and other professional news.

1. 1Unie státních zástupců České republiky — official websiteuniesz.cz
2. 2Unie státních zástupců České republiky — Czech Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org
3. 3Union of Prosecutors of the Czech Republic — Wikidatawikidata.org