Höchstpersönliches: The Notion of “Highly Personal”

Project period: 2024-2027

In German law, a number of references are made – somewhat mysteriously and perhaps with a deeper meaning – to that which is “highly personal” (höchstpersönlich). In this research project, the peculiar nature of the “highly personal” label is to be assessed in the entire legal system and explored in more detail for individual areas of private law. The project will attempt to organize the emergence of the highly personal and assess its legal consequences, to identify explicit and implicit justifications and the formation of standards, and to shed light on ideas concealed behind the words. The project combines a theoretical examination of the law with discursive analysis.