In the Spotlight

Background and substance: More about the Institute and our current research projects.

International Women’s Day – Perspectives on a Career in Legal Scholarship

Although the percentage of women studying law stands at roughly 60 per cent, there are still comparatively few female professors. As of 1 January 2024, Professor Anne Röthel became the first women appointed as a Director at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law. How does she the prospects for women in the world of legal scholarship? more

Institute Facts and Figures

Institute Facts and Figures

February 15, 2024

Legal research seldom boils down to numbers. But it does come with measurable parameters. Here we have assembled the most important metrics about our Institute. more

Anne Röthel – New Director at the Institute

With the start of 2024, Anne Röthel assumes the position of Director at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, succeeding Reinhard Zimmermann, who retired in 2022. The internationally renowned legal scholar comes to the Institute after previously having held the Chair of Civil Law, European and International Civil Law at Bucerius Law School. more

Self-reflection in Corporate Law. An interim assessment and a look ahead

Discourse analysis has a long tradition in academia. In the context of his research on the "microcosm of corporate law", Holger Fleischer undertakes to assess corporate law as an academic discipline. Having reference to Pierre Bourdieu, he states that a necessary condition of academic work is a critical examination of the traditions of thought and research that are specific to a given discipline. more

Research in a place of freedom and safety

Private Law Gazette 1/2023 – The danger and uncertainty resulting from persecution, war or catastrophe often make it difficult or even impossible to pursue scholarly work. Through a variety of programs, the Institute offers several researchers whose countries of origin pose particular dangers the chance to continue their academic work. Three of them describe their current situation. more

Commentary on Supply Chain Act. Orientation for a demanding interdisciplinary topic

Private Law Gazette 2/2022 – Germany is the world's third-largest import nation. The Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), adopted by the German Bundestag on 11 July 2021, was preceded by long and difficult debates. For some, the law is a milestone in the fight against exploitation and environmental destruction in developing countries. For others, the legislation creates unreasonable burdens and competitive disadvantages for local companies. In addition, there are many unresolved legal issues, making factual orientation all the more important. more

Institute director Reinhard Zimmermann lauded at symposium honouring transition to emeritus status

Former students of Reinhard Zimmermann, his colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, and others who accompanied him on his journey at one time or another came together on 14 October 2022 to join in celebrating the internationally renowned legal scholar and long-time director at the Institute. They showered him with standing ovations. more

Connected devices and digital possession

Private Law Gazette 1/2022 - Is the Internet of Things undermining property rights? In his habilitation monograph, Konrad Duden, senior research fellow at the Institute, examines the extent to which a connected device’s digital use is protected by virtue of that user’s owning or possessing the device. more

When images speak

Private Law Gazette 1/2022 - Emojis and their legal significance: As we come to rely more and more on digital communications, it is impossible to image doing without emojis. Though sometimes the bias still sticks that emojis are only for informal messaging, today their use is immensely popular – even in work and business settings. more

The role of company law, accounting law, and capital markets law in climate protection

It is not only politicians for whom climate change poses a challenge. German and international firms are increasingly confronted with questions surrounding the protection of the climate. Thus, headlines are made when claims for damages are filed against companies like Shell, BMW, Mercedes, or Volkswagen. But what is the situation with the regulatory mechanisms found in company law, accounting law, and capital markets law? Institute director Holger Fleischer has made a point of studying the extent to which these specialized disciplines can contribute in combating climate change. more

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