Scientific Advisory Board
The Institute possesses a scientific advisory board whose most significant task is evaluating the academic work of the Institute and on this basis advising the Institute leadership as to the planning and achievement of research projects. Additionally, the advisory board consults with the presidents of the Max Planck Society in respect of the academic progress made by the Institute. The scientific advisory board comprises internationally recognised scholars from in and outside Germany who possess expertise across the Institute's research spectrum. Nominated by the Institute leadership, the members of the advisory board are appointed by the presidents of the Max Planck Society. Advisory boards are constituted for a four year term of office; board members may serve on a maximum of three board terms. The advisory board generally meets once every two years. The current members are as follows:
| Prof. Dr. Dagmar Coester-Waltjen | LichtenbergKolleg, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen |
| Prof. Dr. Frédérique Ferrand | Institut de Droit Comparé Edouard Lambert, Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III) |
| Prof. Dr. James Russell Gordley | Tulane Law School, New Orleans |
| Prof. Dr. Martin Henssler |
Institut für Arbeits- und Wirtschaftsrecht, Universität zu Köln |
| Prof. Dr. Susanne Kalss | Institut für Zivil- und Unternehmensrecht, Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien |
| Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Herbert Kronke | Institut für ausländisches und internationales Privat- und Wirtschaftsrecht, Universität Heidelberg |
| Prof. Dr. Jan Lokin | Faculteit van de Rechtsgeleerdheid, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen |
| Prof. Dr. Gerhard F. Lubbe | Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University |
| The Right Honourable Lord Justice Jonathan Mance | The UK Supreme Court, London |
| Prof. Dr. Peter O. Mülbert | Fachbereich Rechts- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz |
| Prof. Dr. Martin Schauer | Institut für Zivilrecht, Universität Wien |
| Prof. Dr. Anton K. Schnyder | Rechtswissenschaftliches Institut, Universität Zürich |
| Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Lajos Vékàs | Universität Eötvös Lorand, Budapest |
Board of Trustees
The Institute's board of trustees undertakes to promote the Institute's contact with the public and, moreover, to foster the Institute's connection with the individuals and organisations for whom the Institute's research carries particular interest. The board and the Institute leadership confer on the significant results of the Institute's research work as well as its development and perception in the community. The board of trustees consists of prominent representatives from Institute-relevant arenas of society, politics and media. Board members are proposed by the Institute leadership and named to a six-year term by the presidents of the Max Planck Society; repeated appointments are possible. The board of trustees generally meets every two years.
| Erika Andreß | President of the Court of Appeal, Hamburg |
| Dr. Christian Breitzke | Attorney at Law, Lebuhn & Puchta, Hamburg |
| Prof. Dr. Ninon Colneric | China University of Political Science and Law, China-EU School of Law, Peking |
| Dr. Klaus Landry | Attorney at Law, Graf von Westfalen, Hamburg |
| Dr. Bernd Michaels | Former President, German Insurance Association, Düsseldorf |
| Bernd Reinert | City Council Member, Hamburg Ministry of Science and Research |
| Prof. Dr. Vassilios Skouris | President of the Court of Justice, Luxemburg |
| Dr. Till Steffen | Senator of Justice, Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
| Alexander Stuhlmann | Former Chairman of the Managing Board of WestLB |
| Katharina M. Trebitsch | Managing Partner, Trebitsch Entertainment GmbH, Hamburg |
| Dr. Hubert Weis | Head of the Directorate-General for Commercial and Economic Law, Federal Ministry of Justice |
| Dr. Martin Willich | Managing Chairman, Studio Hamburg GmbH |