A Psychiatrist Who Had His Door Chained Won a Trial

A psychiatrist who was locked out of his office with a chain has won a legal battle against the Ljubljana Psychiatric Clinic, according to court documents released this week. Andrej Kastelica, a former employee of the clinic, was dismissed in May 2024 during the tenure of director Bojan Zalar. The Labour and Social Court ruled that the dismissal was unlawful. If the ruling becomes final, the clinic will have to pay Kastelica approximately 100,000 euros in back wages and reinstate him within eight days of the judgment taking effect. The incident began when Kastelica’s office door was sealed with a long chain, requiring workers to break through a side wall to install it. Witnesses claimed that Kastelica had been treated like a criminal just before his retirement. He was dismissed by Zalar, whom Kastelica believed to be a close friend. In response, Kastelica filed a lawsuit against the clinic. The first hearing took place on September 1, 2025, and the court's decision has now been made public. At the first instance level, Kastelica emerged victorious in his dispute with the Psychiatric Clinic. However, the ruling is not yet final. If it stands, the clinic will have to bring Kastelica back into service as head of the Drug Treatment Centre. They will also be required to pay all wages owed since June 1, 2024, along with the costs of the proceedings, which will be determined separately. Kastelica was represented by attorney Miha Kunic, while the clinic was defended by lawyer Irena Dobravc Tatalovic. Kunic expects the opposing party to appeal the decision. The legal dispute has generated substantial financial activity. Lawyer Irena Dobravc Tatalovic, who represents the clinic, is a 90 percent owner of the law firm DT. Since 2005, the University Psychiatric Clinic in Ljubljana has worked with the Dobravc-Tatalovic & Partneri law firm, and since 2010 with the Dobravc-Tatalovic & Kač law firm. From August 2016, the latter firm received over one million euros from the clinic, approximately 341,709.64 euros alone from May 2024, when Kastelica was fired. On average, the mentioned law firm generated around 111,000 euros annually in business with the Psychiatric Clinic. Bojan Zalar, a psychologist by training, has remained employed with the clinic in an advisory role. He was employed indefinitely from his first job at the Ljubljana Psychiatric Clinic. He served as director for nearly 17 years before stepping down in April 2025. As a scientific advisor, he received 5,179 euros gross in May 2026, including 143 euros in reimbursement of expenses. Zalar’s directorship ended on April 25, 2025. Leadership of the UPK was taken over by psychiatrist Damijan Perne, who assumed full responsibility on August 1, 2025.