Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Novom Sadu

UMBRELLA CLAUSE IN INVESTMENT DISPUTES: THE ISSUE OF PERSONAL SCOPE

Petar Đundić — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:47:55 +0100

The issue of interpretation given to umbrella clauses – provisions of bilateral or multilateral investment protection treaties by which states accept duty to observe any obligation entered into with respect to the investments of the investors of the other state party – represents one of the most controversial issues in practice of investment tribunals. Ever since the tribunal in SGS v. Philippines rendered its award accepting that a breach of an investment contract by a state can, under certain conditions, signify a breach of its international law obligation embodied in the umbrella clause, some investment tribunals and host states have been engaged in an effort to limit effects of the clause. The aim of this paper is to analyze the practice of investment tribunals with regard to the particular issue of the clause’s personal scope. According to the current state of arbitral practice, the most significant obstacle to the success of claimants whose claims are based on umbrella clauses concerns the understanding that investor-state contracts produce effects only for its contracting parties (the so-called privity requirement). In the absence of an umbrella clause with peculiar wording, an investor may base his claim on a contract concluded by his subsidiary or on a contract concluded with an entity outside of the host state’s formal structure only if this is provided for by the contract itself or by the national law applicable to the contract. Although this view is not universally accepted in arbitral practice it consistently distinguishes between the obligations of a state arising from the application of national law, on the one hand, and obligations that have their origin in international law, on the other. It is also consistent with the role that arbitral tribunals give to the national law of host states when applying other substantive standards of investment protection.

POTENTIALS AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO ILO RECOMMENDATION NO. 205 ON EMPLOYMENT AND DECENT WORK FOR PEACE AND RESILIENCE

Senad Jašarević, Darko M Božičić — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:49:38 +0100

International Labour Organization Recommendation No. 205 on Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience, adopted in 2017, has gone almost unnoticed by our professional public. It is a document that should serve to address the root causes and consequences of instability and to build resilient communities and states in the context of work and working conditions, in the event of crises, wars and similar adverse events. This paper presents this document in more detail. It also elaborates in more detail the concepts on which the Recommendation is based - "fragility" and "resilience".

The Concept of Administrative Matter

Djordje Timotijevic — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:51:09 +0100

Among the unresolved issues not only in the positive legal regulation of administrative procedure but also within the broader scope of administrative law, both on a theoretical and practical level, a particularly significant place is occupied by the concept of administrative matter and its precise definition. Administrative matter represents one of the most frequently debated concepts in administrative law. Legal theorists offer various definitions and interpretations of this term, while its precise determination has also posed a challenge for legislators. Indeed, in comparative law, it is rare to encounter legal systems that provide an explicit definition of the administrative matter, and the domestic legislature introduced such a definition for the first time only in 2009, within the Law on Administrative Disputes.

This paper analyzes the concept of administrative matter from the standpoint of legal theory, as well as comparative and domestic legislation. It then proceeds to present the author’s own views regarding the definition and elements of the administrative matter, both in the context of administrative procedure and administrative dispute.

The aim of the paper is to highlight, through observations and conclusions drawn from various theoretical and legislative perspectives, the diversity of interpretations surrounding this concept. Furthermore, it seeks to propose a uniform definition of administrative matter from the perspective of administrative procedure and administrative dispute, and to point out the distinction between administrative matter and administrative-judicial matter, a category that should be regulated separately within the framework of administrative procedural law.

Legal nature of intensifiers in some commercial contracts

Svetislav Janković — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:03:47 +0100

In the article, author considers the legal nature of intensifiers in commercial contracts. The intensifier is the term created and tailored by the author with an intention to synthesize the clauses in contracts aimed to increase and intensify the primary contract obligation. The first step in research has been taken from the dichotomy of the surety and insurance as a potential explanation of intensifiers. But, unsatisfied with them, the author goes deeply further explaining the nature of intensifiers with the feature of aleatory, to finally conclude that mentioned intensifiers are, in fact, causal condition. This conclusion is derived from the fact that activation of the intensifier is descended from the realization of future uncertain circumstances which are also independent from the contractors.

Matter of Articles 859-864 of ABGB in Serbian Civil Code and in Positive Serbian Law With Respect to the Reception of Roman Law

Maša Kulauzov, Milan Milutin — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:32:47 +0100

The aim of the research in this phase is reflected, on the one hand, in the effort to determine possible nominal similarities and differences in the way in which the three acts regulate the issues contained in Articles 859-864 of ABGB, i.e. the legal basis of obligations, public promise of reward, conclusion of a contract, division of a contract and other related issues. The research should serve as a starting point for a detailed comparative analysis of each of the above issues in future works. On the other hand, the secondary aim is to make a comparison with the corresponding rules of Roman law, where possible, in the context of finding possible results of reception. The paper applies linguistic interpretation of the sources, after which they are analysed using the dogmatic method. After establishing the meaning of the norm, its logical nature and elements are discussed, as well as relations with other legal rules, using the normative method, and – in the context of different historical circumstances and legal systems in which they were enacted – historical law- and comparative law methods. The similarities and differences in the Austrian and the two Serbian acts are the result of both the level of development of the societies at the time the acts were adopted, their needs at the time, challenges in legal practice, but probably also the personal pedantry and systematicity of the authors.

NEW RULES ON CREDITWORTHINESS ASSESSMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES USERS

Mirjana Radović — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:33:04 +0100

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the rules introduced by the 2025 Law on the Protection of Financial Service Users, which regulate the assessment of the creditworthiness of financial service users. The first part of the paper is introductory in nature and contains an explanation of the concept of creditworthiness, considering its evolution from a subjective to an objective understanding. The second part presents the legislative approach to regulating creditworthiness assessment in Serbia from the adoption of the Law on Obligations to the present day. The third section examines the bank’s obligation to assess users’ creditworthiness, particularly focusing on changes to the scope of application of this obligation and how it is defined. The fourth section addresses the prohibition, introduced in the new law, that prevents banks from entering into credit services agreements with users who are not creditworthy. The fifth section analyses the legal position of a user whose creditworthiness assessment involved profiling. The final sixth part sets out the legal consequences of violating the new creditworthiness assessment rules from the perspectives of both banks and financial service users. Overall, the author concludes that the new law has improved the regulatory framework governing creditworthiness assessment, making this a significantly more important mechanism for consumer protection. However, numerous issues remain that require consistent interpretation and application.

PUNISHABLE ACTS (CRIMINAL ACTS, COMMERCIAL OFFENSES AND MISDEMEANORS) IN THE FIELD OF MINING AND GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS

Ivan Milić, dragiša Drakić — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:34:34 +0100

The field of mining and geological exploration is exceptionally complex. It is regulated by numerous regulations of varying legal force. In the Republic of Serbia, one principal law governs this field, along with more than twenty by-laws. The principal law in this area, the Law on Mining and Geological Explorations, prescribes criminal acts, commercial offenses, and misdemeanors. One by-law adopted in accordance with the aforementioned law prescribes commercial offenses and misdemeanors.

The subject of this paper, as indicated by the title itself, are punishable acts prescribed in this particularly complex field. The aim of the paper is to examine these punishable acts and provide a critical analysis thereof. The authors also present certain proposals for the amendment of existing regulations.

Donatio mortis causa in Serbian law

Bojan Pajtić, Aleksandra Stefanović — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:34:42 +0100

Поклон за случај смрти је модификација уговора о поклону. Уговор о поклону није уређен Законом о облигационим односима јер је остао у надлежности република. Српски грађански законик га изједначава са легатом, а Преднацрт Грађанског законика поставља правило о опозивости без отклона. Међутим, по правној природи се мора правити разлика у настанску и дејству. Модификација за случај смрти је одложни услов јер подразумева да облигационоправни захтев поклонопримац може истицати према наследничкој заједници само уколико се предмет поклона налази у заоставштини. Престаје накнадном немогућношћу, раскидом и опозивом. Само оставилац може опозвати поклон. Постоји дилема да ли поклонопримац мора бити жив у моменту смрти оставиоца како би настао облигационоправни захтев, али у одсуству децидних правила би се требало окренути општем да уговор о поклону настаје његовим закључењем ако је у писменој форми, а дејствује уколико је предмет у заоставштини у моменту смрти оставиоца. Из тога се закључује да и наследници поклонопримца могу истицати захтев односно да је овај захтев наследив. Уколико се уговор закључује у реалној форми онда настаје тек предајом, те нити потенцијални поклонопримац нити самим тим његови наследници имају захтев.

CONTINUOUS TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AS A CHALLENGE FOR CONTEMPORARY LABOUR LAW

Milica Midžović — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:49:12 +0100

The technological transformation of work constitutes one of the central challenges of contemporary labour law. The digitalisation of work processes, the expansion of flexible forms of work engagement, and the increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence systems and algorithmic management are bringing about profound changes in the way work is organised, supervised, and evaluated. These developments do not merely affect the structure of the labour market; they directly reshape the legal status of employees, calling into question traditional labour-law institutions and existing mechanisms of legal protection. This paper analyses the impact of technology-driven changes on the employment relationship, with particular emphasis on algorithmic management, automated decision-making, and digital forms of workplace monitoring. Special attention is devoted to identifying the risks these processes pose to the effective protection of fundamental labour and human rights, as well as to legal certainty within the employment relationship. Building on a normative and theoretical analysis of the applicable legislation of the Republic of Serbia, the paper examines the extent to which the existing legal framework is capable of responding to the challenges of technological transformation. In a comparative perspective, relevant European standards and contemporary regulatory trends are also considered, with the aim of identifying legal gaps and formulating de lege ferenda recommendations designed to strengthen employee protection and preserve a fair balance between technological progress and the core values of labour law.

MATERIAL POSITION OF JUDGES AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE: AN EXAMPLE OF A DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF SLOVENIA

Aleksa Damnjanović — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:33:30 +0100

Material position of the judges is one element of the personal independence of judges. Judicial salaries should be determined in a way they correspond to the dignity and responsibility of judicial profession, but at the same time to protect judges from pressure on decision-making which could jeopardize their independence and impartiality. The first part of the article considers material position of the judges and judicial independence. In the second part is shortly represented material position of judges in Serbian law. The third part of the paper is dedicated to the decision of the Constitutional Court of Slovenia U-I-772/21 of 01.06.2023. in which this court has dealt with this issue, considering it from the perspective of the judicial independence, but also from perspective of the separation of powers.

CHAPTER 27 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PROCESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Tamara Marjanovic — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:33:35 +0100

Европска унија (ЕУ) представља сложени правно-политички систем који се развијао кроз

различите фазе интеграције. У том контексту, acquis communautaire чини кохерентан скуп

принципа, директива и регулатива које земље кандидаткиње морају усвојити и

имплементирати током процеса приступања. Поглавље 27, које се односи на заштиту

животне средине и климатске промене, једно је од најзахтевнијих у преговорима. Ово

поглавље обухвата технички сложене аспекте који захтевају значајне дугорочне

инвестиције у инфраструктуру и институционалне капацитете, а питања животне средине

имају директан утицај на јавно здравље, економски развој и политику у руралним и

урбаним подручјима. Република Србија, као земља кандидат, започела је формални процес

приступања ЕУ 2014. године, након што је добила статус кандидата 2012. године. У

претходним годинама, Србија је постигла значајан напредак у области законодавства и

институционалног уређења. Испуњавање захтева Поглавља 27 подразумева не само

транспозицију директива, већ и ефикасну примену, ревизију инвестиционих планова и

мобилизацију финансијских средстава, укључујући средства ЕУ и међународних

донатора. Циљ овог рада је да пружи систематску и критичку анализу стања у Србији у

погледу испуњавања услова Поглавља 27. У раду се идентификују главни изазови, а

предлажу се конкретне мере које могу убрзати процес имплементације и побољшати

ефикасност у области заштите животне средине и климатских политика. Закључак указује

на то да Поглавље 27 представља кључну пробну тачку у процесу приступања Србије

Европској унији. Анализа је показала да је Република Србија остварила значајан напредак

у правној хармонизацији, укључујући доношење основних закона и стратегија, уз развој

националних планова и започете инфраструктурне пројекте. За реализацију захтева

Поглавља 27 неопходан је интегрисан приступ који комбинује пројектно усмерено

финансирање, правну и оперативну доследност, мониторинг и интеграцију климатских

циљева. Ово подразумева усвајање временског плана са конкретним циљевима и

одговорностима, где се у краткорочном периоду фокусира на припрему и финансирање

приоритетних регионалних пројеката, у средњем року на реализацију кључних

инфраструктурних интервенција, а у дугом року на остваривање интегрисаног управљања

ресурсима. Испуњавање Поглавља 27 не треба посматрати само као услов за чланство у

ЕУ, већ и као прилику за трансформацију националног управљања животном средином.

Влада Републике Србије и Министарство заштите животне средине остају чврсто

посвећени процесу усклађивања са стандардима Европске уније у области животне

средине и климатских промена. Ова посвећеност огледа се у континуираним напорима да

се обезбеде потребна законска решења, институционални оквири и механизми

координације који ће омогућити доследну имплементацију Поглавља 27, као и у

активностима на привлачењу и управљању међународним средствима за финансирање

приоритетних пројеката.

The exercise of parental responsibility and the protection of the child's right to privacy on the internet and social networks

Tamara Mladenović — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:33:56 +0100

Abstract: The protection of the child’s right to privacy in the modern digital environment assumes an entirely new dimension. The development of technologies that occurred at the beginning of the twenty-first century has expanded the boundaries of the physical world into a boundless cyberspace. The rapid growth in the use of the Internet and social networks has profoundly transformed the very concept of privacy. Photos, videos, and other personal information are publicly shared via social networks with a significantly wider circle of people than was once the case. This practice particularly affects children, who in the online environment, from the status of subjects, granted by the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the late 1980s, are once again reduced to objects of parental actions in online sphere. The phenomenon of so-called sharenting – excessive publication of children’s photos on social networks by parents – is becoming increasingly prevalent. In such instances, parents often disregard their duty to act as legal representatives of the child in his/hers best interests, perceiving themselves instead as the “owners” of their child’s data. Therefore, the child’s right to privacy extends beyond the protection of physical and psychological integrity in the modern era to include control over their digital identity and information that is permanently stored in virtual space.

Although direct access to the Internet is often legally prohibited for the youngest and most vulnerable groups of people, they are increasingly present in digital environments indirectly - through their parents. Decisions regarding the publication of child’s personal data generally rest exclusively with the parents, while the child’s opinion is often disregarded, either due to parental negligence or because of the child’s age. Sharing children’s personal data on social networks raises questions about the limits of parental responsibility and the obligation to act in the best interests of the child. Legal complications are particularly evident in situations where parents disagree on whether a child’s images should be shared online. In this regard, the Supreme Court of Cassation of Serbia, in its judgment Rev 14012/2022, held that the publication of a child’s photographs by one parent, against the will of the other, is contrary to the principle of the best interests of the child. Given that this issue is not explicitly regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Serbia, lower courts have taken different positions on the above-mentioned case. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court of Cassation emphasized that, where the parent exercising sole parental responsibility opposes such publication, the act of the non-custodial parent constitutes a question of representation of the child by his or her legal guardian. At the same time, in this way, in the conflict between the rights of the child and the interests of the parents, the child’s right to privacy was given priority.

Taking into account the age and maturity of the child, in certain cases the child’s opinion will play a significant role in decisions concerning his/her privacy. The right of the child to be heard, as one of the guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, serves as an essential mechanism in balancing parental responsibility with the protection of the child’s privacy. Upon reaching the so-called “digital majority”, the child is considered sufficiently mature to exercise meaningful influence over the development of his or her own digital identity.