Professor Zbigniew Radwański 1924-2012

Abstract

On December 20, 2012 died at the age of 88 Zbigniew Radwański, Professor of Law, an outstanding lawyer, widely recognized authority in the field of private law, co-founder of the modern Polish civil law. Professor Radwański spent his academic career (1949-1994) at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. He served as its Chancellor between 1982 and 1984. He organised and became chair of the Poznań Branch of the Institute of Legal Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He also established himself as a respected legislator. For many years he presided the Legislative Council acting under the Prime Minister (1986-1992) and the Civil Law Codification Commission acting under the Minister of Justice (1997-2010). Recognised as one of the most notable specialist in the Polish civil law, he has published more than 300 research articles and scientific papers. Among his most important works are: Zadośćuczynienie pieniężne za szkodę niemajątkową. Rozwój i funkcja społeczna  [Compensation for non-pecuniary damage. Its development and social function], 1956, Teoria umów[Theory of contracts], 1977, Wykładnia oświadczeń woli składanych indywidualnym adresatom [Interpretation of declarations of will given to individuals], 1992.  In recent years, he was a co-author and the chief editor of the System of Private Law, C.H. Beck., leading to the publication of almost all twenty planned volumes devoted to the entire Polish private law. Zbigniew Radwański was awarded Poland's highest distinction, the Order of the White Eagle.