In the Spotlight

The Young Academy Fellows of the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg have for a number of years been using science comics to present their topics of research. Katharina Isabel Schmidt, Research Fellow at the Institute and Young Academy Fellow, has authored a comic together with artist Hannah Brinkmann. With a handful of words and powerful images, they tell the story of a historical court case in France that remains thought-provoking today. “The little bread thief on trial” illustrates the conflict between written law and lived justice, a conflict which is at the heart of modern legal philosophy. more

Since it was founded, the Institute has been publishing Die deutsche Rechtsprechung auf dem Gebiete des Internationalen Privatrechts (IPRspr) [German cases in private international law]. The IPRspr appeared in print until 2022. It has now been released as an open access database. more

Western perceptions of Japan often revolve around the country’s history of technological innovation, its strong export economy, or cultural elements holding fascination. Yet in terms of the comparative insights that Japanese law offers, little is known – even among lawyers. “There are many reasons to study Japanese law,” says Ruth Effinowicz, Head of the Institute’s Centre of Expertise on Japan. “And one’s view of Japan should not be guided solely by the – sometimes presumed – otherness of Japanese culture and society.” more

Addressing social challenges with entrepreneurial means has become a global trend. Especially among the younger generation of founders, a combined focus on the common good and earning profits is seen as a desirable organizational model. However, the legal framework underlying such endeavours is still poorly developed. A project led by Institute Director Holger Fleischer is exploring this subject from an interdisciplinary perspective. more

What role for private law and PIL? The principles of individual liberty and economic growth were fundamental to the development of modern private law in the nineteenth century. Today, however, with the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity looming, it looks untenable to keep chasing quantitively-measured growth that depends on unlimited exploitation of resources. “It’s time for a re-evaluation in private law”, Ralf Michaels, director at the Institute, says. more

Academic publishing and the use of academic literature are in the midst of a profound process of change. In accord with the new core principles, the results of publicly funded research should be freely accessible and participation in global academic discourse should not be dependent on having the necessary financial resources. Open access is a first and essential step towards an open science conception and structure of academic practice – and it is a model also guiding the Institute’s approach towards publication. more

Anne Röthel, former holder of the Chair of Civil Law, European and Private International Law at Bucerius Law School, was appointed as Director of the Institute as of 1 January 2024. On the occasion of her induction on 18 April 2024, she presented her research agenda in her inaugural lecture. (video available) more

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

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

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