A conversation with Dr Bartosz Wołodkiewicz, Lindemann Foundation scholar
Dr Bartosz Wołodkiewicz is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Procedure at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw. Earlier in 2022, he was a visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law. In September 2022, he was a Lindemann scholar at the Institute, studying the lex fori paradigm in European civil procedure for his habilitation thesis.
What is your research focus during your time as a Lindemann scholar?
My research tackles the question of the applicability of foreign procedural law. At the core of every system of private international law a distinction is made between substance and procedure. This distinction is of essence in establishing the applicable law. Matters of procedure are governed exclusively by the law of the forum. This follows from the lex fori principle, according to which courts apply the procedural law in force where they sit. The paradigm of lex fori is a well-established tradition. However, its legitimacy, scope and effects have been the subject of many debates. While there have been attempts in some EU member states to shift the lex fori paradigm, none of the discussions so far has involved European civil procedure. The idea behind my research is to revisit this classic debate and delve into the nature, justification, and scope of the lex fori principle in European civil procedure. My goal is to clarify whether European civil procedure needs a specific approach to applying the law of the forum on procedural issues.
What made you choose the Institute for your research?
The reason for visiting the Institute was my focus on the lex fori paradigm – a subject that requires deep insight into both civil procedure and private international law. The Institute offers unique resources for any research into private international law as well as an opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow researchers in this area.
How would you describe the Institute to someone who has never been here?
I would say the Institute offers unique opportunities for researchers at every stage of their work. Its incredibly rich library is a labyrinthine collection of decades of research conducted in many different languages and on many jurisdictions. I very much enjoy the Institute’s reading room, which is suited for quiet, undisturbed work. I advise anyone to take advantage of the beautiful green courtyard, which is a perfect space for academic exchanges with fellow researchers. Above all, the Institute’s helpful, friendly community offers invaluable support for every kind of academic work.
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