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Online Symposium on Recent Developments in African PIL (VI) – Proof of Foreign Law and the Fragility of Foreign Marriages in Ghanaian Courts

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As part of the second online symposium on recent developments in African private international law, we are pleased to present the sixth contribution, kindly prepared by Theophilus Edwin Coleman (University at Buffalo School of Law, New York (USA) & Senior Research Associate, RCPILEC, University of Johannesburg, South Africa).

From Daddy to Zaddy or Both? Proof of Foreign Law and the Fragility of Foreign Marriages in Ghanaian Courts – Reflections on Akosua Serwaah Fosuh v. Abusua-Panin Kofi Owusu & 2 Others, Suit No. GJ12/20/2026

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Online Symposium on Recent Developments in African PIL (V) – Cross-border employment, competition and delictual liability merge in the South African High Court: Placement International Group Limited v Pretorius and Others

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As part of the second online symposium on recent developments in African private international law, we are pleased to present the fifth contribution, kindly prepared by Elisa Rinaldi (University of Pretoria, South Africa) on Cross-border employment, competition and delictual liability merge in the South African High Court: Placement International Group Limited v Pretorius and Others.

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Online Symposium on Recent Developments in African PIL (IV) – Party Autonomy, Genuine Connection, Convenience, Costs, Privity, and Public Policy: The Kenyan High Court on Exclusive Jurisdiction Clauses

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As part of the second online symposium on recent developments in African private international law, we are pleased to present the fourth contribution, kindly prepared by Anam Abdul-Majid (Advocate and Head of Corporate and Commercial Department, KSM Advocates, Nairobi, Kenya) and Kitonga Mulandi (Lawyer, KSM Advocates, Nairobi, Kenya), on Party Autonomy, Genuine Connection, Convenience, Costs, Privity, and Public Policy: The Kenyan High Court on Exclusive Jurisdiction Clauses

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Hybrid Lecture: Venezuela’s Oil, Between a Rock and a Hard (Arbitration) Place (UCL, 26 Feb 2026, 1pm)

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Event type: Hybrid
Date & time: 26 Feb 2026, 13:00 – 14:00
Speaker: Prof. Eugenio Hernández-Bretón, Universidad Central de Venezuela and Universidad Monteavila
About the event: Over the past 50 years, Venezuela’s legal framework for the oil industry has been on a roller coaster. In 1975, the industry was nationalized, compensating private investors, but an “intentional” loophole allowed for private participation. In the mid-1990s, nationalization shifted to the “oil opening,” despite facing political opposition and legal battles, and allowing for extensive private participation in the oil sector as well as providing for arbitration in certain cases. By the early 2000s, a new business model emerged, denouncing the previous “phony nationalization” and leading to a “renationalization” that reserved primary activities (exploration and extraction) for the Venezuelan state, and terminating agreements with private investors. This resulted in numerous arbitration cases worldwide, with some awards ordering Venezuela to pay substantial sums, though few were enforced and none of the expropriations were compensated. In January 2026, as a result of recent events, a new hydrocarbons law was proposed, currently under parliamentary consideration, easing private participation in primary activities and explicitly allowing international arbitration, which had been demonized in the previous two decades.
About the speaker: Eugenio Hernández-Bretón is tenured professor at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and at Universidad Monteavila, both in Caracas. He holds the chairs of private international law and international civil procedure. He has also lectured on Arbitration and Comparative Law, among other courses in Venezuela and abroad, including at The Hague Academy of International Law. As a practicing lawyer he has participated in numerous international arbitration cases. Professor Hernández-Bretón earned a doctorate in laws from the University of Heidelberg, and master’s degrees from Columbia University and the University of Tubingen. He received his law degree from the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Caracas. Additionally, Professor Hernández-Bretón served as President of the Academy of Political and Social Sciences of Venezuela.
Further information, including details on how to book a free ticket for the event, is available here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/events/2026/feb/venezuelas-oil-between-rock-and-hard-arbitration-place.

Crossroads in Private International Law Webinar with Tobias Lutzi on “Crossroads in Private International Law Seminar on the Reform of EU Private International Law” at the University of Aberdeen

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The Centre for Private International Law & Transnational Governance of the University of Aberdeen is continuing its Crossroads in Private International Law webinar series with a talk by Tobias Lutzi (University of Augsburg) titled ‘Between Ambition and Realism – What to Expect from the Upcoming Reforms to the Rome II and Brussels Ia Regulation?’:

The Centre for Private International Law & Transnational Governance invites you to attend the next seminar in our Crossroads in Private International Law seminar series. You can find the link to register at the bottom of this page.

Prof Tobias Lutzi (Junior Professor for Private Law at Augsburg University) will give a seminar on the reforms to the Rome II and Brussels Ia Regulation. Prof Lutzi has kindly provided the following abstract:

Last year, the EU Commission formally kicked off the process of reforming two key instruments of EU Private International Law, identifying potential areas for reform and setting out some overarching policy goals. In 2026, the Commission will face the more difficult decision of which of those areas to actually focus on. This talk will discuss the respective merits of those areas of reform, highlighting the tension between ambition and realism that will shape the Commission’s work.

We are looking forward to welcoming you online or on campus!

Additional information and the link to register can be found here.

Revue critique de droit international privé – Issue 2025/4

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

The fourth and last issue of the Revue Critique de droit international privé of 2025 has just been released. It contains four articles, eight case notes, and six book reviews. In line with the Revue Critique’s policy, the doctrinal part will soon be made available in English on the editor’s website (for registered users and institutions). Read more

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