New Empirical Study in Comparative Law: “The Reasons Highest Courts Give: England, France, Germany; 1880–89 and 2007–16”

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This post has kindly been provided by Markus Lieberknecht (University of Osnabrück).

It is our great pleasure to bring to readers’ attention the publication of the article “The Reasons Highest Courts Give: England, France, Germany; 1880–89 and 2007–16”, co-authored by Holger Spamann (Harvard Law School), Stefan Vogenauer and Jasper Kunstreich (MPI Hamburg), Heinrich Nemeczek (Scalable Capital) and Markus Lieberknecht (Osnabrück University), in The Journal of Legal Studies.

One of the core debates in comparative law concerns the characteristics, extent, and development of the common/civil law divide. In this context, it is a familiar trope that common and civil lawyers reason differently, but that the systems are converging. However, the empirical basis for such claims is thin to nonexistent. To address this paucity of data-backed research, we present the first systematic quantitative comparison of three paragon jurisdictions of common law (England) and civil law (France and Germany), and across two centuries (1880–89 vs. 2007–16). Specifically, we analyze the use of legal authorities (cases, statutes, and literature) in 40 representative opinions of each apex court in each of the two decades we surveyed.

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Perspectives Contentieuses Internationales (PCI), Volume 6

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The following announcement was kindly shared with us by Fabienne Jault-Seseke.

logo PCI

The 6th issue of Perspectives contentieuses internationales has been released and is online.

It contains seven articles related to the consolidation of cross-border litigation. These articles form the first part of the proceedings of a conference held in Toulouse in November 2025. The second part will be published in Volume 7. Volume 6 also includes two further articles, one on the law applicable to air transport and one of theclassification, and three short notes (focus).

Here is the list of papers, along with their abstracts.

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Out Now (Open Access): Heiderhoff/Queirolo (eds), Private International Law and the European Union: Developments in Contemporary Private Law, 2026

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A new volume coming out of the Programme in European Private Law for Postgraduates (PEPP) has just been published as part of the Scritti di diritto privato europeo ed internazionale series.

The book, available in open access here, focuses on the emergence of new legal personality for environmental features; protection of children; alternative dispute resolution; protection of the internal market and access to justice; SLAPPs; onlice activities and private international law; jurisdiction and choice of court agreements, and tax arbitrability.

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Revue critique de droit international privé – Issue 2026/2

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Written by Hadrien Pauchard (assistant researcher and doctoral student at Sciences Po Law School)

The second issue of the Revue Critique de droit international privé of 2026 was just released and is accessible online. It contains two articles, eight case notes, as well as five book reviews. In line with the Revue Critique’s recent policy, the doctrinal part will soon be made available in English on the editor’s website (for registered users and institutions).

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RabelsZ: Issue 2/2026

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The latest issue of RabelsZ has just be released. It contains the following articles as well as an editorial with important information regarding the journal’s future governance structure and publication process. All content is Open Access: CC BY 4.0.

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【Out Now – Open Access】Commercial Private International Law in Southern Africa: Comparative and International Perspectives: Essays in Honour of Professor Christopher F Forsyth KC

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Professor Christopher F. Forsyth is undoubtedly one of the leading figures in private international law in Africa, particularly in Southern Africa, where his scholarship has had a profound and lasting influence. His seminal work, Private International Law – The Modern Roman-Dutch Law Including the Jurisdiction of the High Courts (5th ed., Juta, 2012), is not only an indispensable reference for scholars and researchers, but also an authoritative work before Southern African courts, where it is frequently cited with approval.

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Registration Open for Bonn Conference on “International Filiation Law in the EU”, 24 / 25 September 2026

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Registration is now open for the already announced conference on “International Filiation Law in the EU” dealing with questions of filiation law resulting from the EU Parenthood Proposal. More information and the registration link can be accessed at the website of the conference. Registration is esp. important for the conference dinner as spots are limited and will be provided on a first come basis.

CoL.net: New Editors

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We are delighted to welcome two new editors to the Blog’s Editorial Board.

Janaína Albuquerque Azevedo Gomes is an attorney admitted in Brazil and Portugal focusing on international family law. She has experience across numerous countries and sectors, including the Brazilian government and the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH).

Gustavo Ferraz de Campos Monaco is professor of private international law at the University of São Paulo, where he works at the intersection of private international law and general legal theory.

We are looking forward to their contributions.

Webinar on the New ICC Arbitration Rules

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On 8 July, King&Spalding will be hosting a webinar on the new ICC Arbitration Rules, which entered into force last month.

The webinar will feature contributions from multiple members of the firms arbitration practice as well as a Q&A.

More information and an option to register can be found here.