The text was prepared based on the author’s speech at the mourning session in
memory of Marko Ilešič, PhD, which was organised on 28 June 2024 at the Faculty
of Law at the University of Ljubljana by the Faculty and the Association of
Law Societies of Slovenia. It is largely based on the preface to the monograph
Challenges of Law in Reality of Life: Liber Amicorum Marko Ilešič (Faculty of
Law, Ljubljana 2017), edited by Marko Pavliha, Ada Polajnar-Pavčnik, Boštjan
Koritnik, and Darja Ilešič Čokl. The book includes 46 brilliant scientific, professional
and essayistic compositions prepared by a broad variety of Ilešič’s
friends, former and current colleagues. Marko Ilešič, PhD, born in 1947, was
an outstanding lawyer, a remarkable human being, a polyglot, and a passionate
sports enthusiast, particularly in football. He made his most significant professional
contribution as a judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union,
serving from 2004 until his untimely death. This obituary highlights some of
Marko Ilešič’s notable career achievements and his esteemed reputation among
his peers in the fields of law, sports, and beyond. It also pays special attention
to the personality qualities of Marko Ilešič that made him an extremely popular
and sought-after interlocutor, colleague, and friend.
Key words: Marko Ilešič, obituary, judge, law, Court of the European Union,
EU, football, sport.