Recognizing a Legal Trailblazer
On the 14th of November, almost one hundred and fifty lawyers, economists, and students arrived at Corvinus University’s Gellért Campus to mark a solemn anniversary: the 85th birthday of Professor Tamás Sárközy. The department of Accounting and Law organized the event, alongside the Institute for Accounting and Law and the Maecenas Universitatis Corvini Foundation. The gathering served both as a memorial and as a showcase of the lasting legacy that Professor Sárközy left for Hungary’s legal and economic landscape.
Academic Roots and Personal Influences
Professor János Lukács, head of the Accounting Department, opened the conference by recalling Sárközy’s career path—from his early days at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to his tenure as head of the Hungarian Lawyers’ Association, and even his unexpected foray into ice‑hockey. Lukács emphasized that Sárközy’s work was defined by depth of knowledge, humanity, and an unwavering sense of dignity.
Dr. Tamás Mészáros, the rector emeritus of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, highlighted the professor’s extraordinary popularity among students. Lectures often drew crowds huge enough to see students filling the stairwell of the main lecture hall. According to Mészáros, Sárközy gathered respect not only through awards but through genuine relationships, keeping only the certificates gently presented by students.
Impact on Hungary’s Transition to a Market Economy
During the 1980s, Professor György Surányi, former central bank governor, worked closely with Sárközy at the Financial Research Institute. Their joint efforts helped shape the institutional framework in the early period of Hungary’s transition to a market economy. The conversation underscored that Sárközy’s influence extended beyond academia to policy formation, earning him a place among the architects of Hungary’s economic reforms.
Contemporary Views on Competitiveness
Professor Surányi delivered a lecture on Hungary’s competitiveness, pointing out that while the country has advanced since the transition, it now faces a productivity slowdown, placing it on the lower end of European Union performance indices. He warned of a “low‑growth trap” fueled by skill shortages, generous state subsidies, and missed EU funds. Sárközy’s lived experience offered a lens through which to interpret today’s economic challenges and to design corrective measures.
Illuminating Corporate Competitiveness
Professor Attila Chikán examined the evolution of corporate competitiveness research at Corvinus, crediting Sárközy for pioneering the legal frameworks that underpin a market economy. The Competitiveness Research Centre began to build on those foundations in the mid‑1990s, eventually developing a corporate competitiveness index that now gauges Hungarian firms’ performance against global metrics.
Dr. Erzsébet Czakó added that present research addresses digitalisation, sustainability, and geopolitical volatility—issues that have root status in Sárközy’s writings. The newer focus on adaptability and resilience reflects the enduring relevance of his legacy.
Accounting as an Information Backbone
Dr. László Péter Lakatos outlined the critical role of accounting as an integral part of the information infrastructure that sustains competitiveness. He argued for a unified regulatory framework to ensure transparent data comparison across firms, stressing that modern auditing responsibilities now encompass far more complex tasks than before.
Legal Education’s Evolution
The conference drew experts like Dr. János Verebics and Dr. János Bánáti, who reflected on the transformation of economic law education. They pointed out that the Sárközy‑style integrative approach to law remains an essential cornerstone in shaping students who can navigate both legal and economic domains.
Digitalisation and the Future of Law
Professor Tibor Bogdán, the government commissioner for legal framework strengthening, presented a forward‑looking discussion on how digitalisation reshapes legal practice. He examined state‑led initiatives on mandatory, recommended, and optional digital tools, stressing the need for quick, enforceable sanctions in a digital world where harm can be inflicted in seconds.
A key takeaway was the role of AI in legal processes. Bogdán cautioned that future decisions may increasingly involve AI‑based automation—from company formation to regulatory compliance. He urged the legal profession to proactively shape these emerging tools rather than react to them.
Ethics, ESG, and Corporate Culture
Dr. Kinga Pázmándi added that corporate compliance must now meet ESG expectations, with ethical conduct becoming as critical as legal compliance. In line with Sárközy’s holistic vision, contemporary companies need a robust culture that can manage financial, environmental, and social responsibilities simultaneously.
Closing Reflections and Calls to Action
Professor Lukács wrapped up by sharing personal anecdotes, reminding the audience that Sárközy was as much a teacher as a legal scholar. Beyond academic citations, his teaching style and curiosity set high standards for future generations of lawyers and economists.
This conference highlighted not only the past contributions of Professor Tamás Sárközy but also the current trajectory of Hungary’s legal and economic research. Whether you are a law student, an academic, or a policy maker, the lessons drawn from this tribute provide a roadmap for strengthening the interplay between law, economics, and digital innovation.
Take the Next Step in Your Professional Journey
For law students or professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of Hungarian economic law, consider enrolling in Corvinus University’s Master of Laws program focused on Business Law and Economics. Explore the program details here.
Curious how digital transformation impacts legal practice? Visit NEDIMARC’s research portal to learn more and see how the university incorporates cutting‑edge digital tools into its curriculum.
Develop your own research on corporate resilience and ESG compliance by participating in the Competitiveness Research Centre’s projects. Join the centre’s network today and contribute to Hungary’s economic future.
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Finally, share your reflections on the conference and on Professor Sárközy’s influence in the comments below. Leave a comment and join the conversation about how historical figures continue to shape modern academia and practice.
