One of Slovenia's foremost jurists, Marko Ilešič, who was re-appointed Slovenia's judge at the Court of Justice of the EU a year ago after serving there since 2004, has died aged 76.

Ilešič was Slovenia's first representative on the Luxembourg-based court since Slovenia joined the EU in 2004. His term would have ended on 6 October 2027.

"His contribution to strengthening peace and human relations in the world is seen first and foremost in his 20 years of service on one of the most important courts in the world," the Ljubljana Faculty of Law said in announcing the news on 21 June.

Before becoming a judge at the Court of Justice of the EU, he taught civil, commercial and private international law at the Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana, serving as dean from 2001 to 2004.

He was also known as a football official and chaired the Football Association of Yugoslavia and the Football Association of Slovenia. Later, he served as a judge on the UEFA and FIFA courts of appeal.

"He has left us a rich legacy not only of legal brilliance but also of an unparalleled commitment to wisdom and justice, and a friendship for which we are immeasurably grateful," the Justice Ministry said.

President Nataša Pirc Musar, a jurist, said Ilešič was her mentor to whom she is grateful for all the knowledge he selflessly gave away. "He made an important contribution to the development of Slovenian legal science and case law," she wrote on X.

His death means that Slovenia will now have to appoint a new judge. When Ilešič was last appointed in 2022, the selection procedure, which involves the president and a vote at the National Assembly, took two years.