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Online Symposium on Recent Developments in African PIL (I) – Recognition and Enforcement of International Judgments in Nigeria
As previously announced, we are launching the second online symposium on recent developments in African private international law. As part of this symposium, a series of blog posts addressing various aspects of recent developments in African private international law will be published on this platform over the coming days.
We open the series with a blog post by Abubakri Yekini (Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Manchester) and Chukwuma Samuel Adesina Okoli (Assistant Professor in Commercial Conflict of Laws at the University of Birmingham and Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Private International Law in Emerging Countries at the University of Johannesburg), focusing on the recognition and enforcement of international judgments in Nigeria.
Online Symposium on Recent Developments in African Private International Law
It is not uncommon for African and foreign scholars of private international law (PIL) to lament the current state of the field in Africa. Until the early years of the 21st century, PIL was widely regarded, often with little hesitation, as ‘a neglected and highly underdeveloped subject in Africa’.[i] Professor Forsyth famously described it as a ‘Cinderella subject, seldom studied and little understood’.[ii] This limited scholarly attention is reflected, for instance, in the treatment of African PIL in the Hague Academy courses, which include only 4 courses specifically devoted to PIL in Africa, the most recent of which dates back to 1993.[iii] Since then, a number of pleas for greater attention to PIL in Africa,[iv] as well as calls for enhanced cooperation with African countries to ensure better involvement and inclusiveness,[v] have been voiced.[vi] Read more
Conflict of laws in the South African courts: an(other) recent missed opportunity
Posted on behalf of Jason Mitchell, barrister at Maitland Chambers in London and at Group 621 in Johannesburg.
An Australian, Hannon, wants to book a Southern African safari with his partner, Murti, as a surprise birthday gift. He sees one he likes on an Australian travel website. Hannon fills in the online form.
It turns out that the website is just the agent for a South African company, Drifters Adventours. Drifters emailed Hannon the price and payment details. Attached to the email is a brochure. The brochure says, “Drifters do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced while on tour.” The brochure also says, “You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to your tour departure.” Read more
News
Virtual Workshop (in English) on June 2, 2026: Thalia Kruger on „The Problem with Legal Certainty in Private International Law”
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Hamburg Max Planck Institute will host its monthly virtual workshop Current Research in Private International Law at 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (CEST).
Thalia Kruger (University of Antwerp) will speak, in English, about the topic
“The Problem with Legal Certainty in Private International Law”
Legal certainty is often considered foundational in private international law. It is used as justification for some of our connecting factors, and their application in time, as well as for our standards on recognition of foreign authentic instruments and judgments. However, if understood in a positivistic and precise manner, legal certainty can impede or complicate legal changes. The paper investigates where legal certainty has undesired consequences, especially in a context of righting past wrongs.
The presentation will be followed by open discussion. All are welcome. More information and sign-up here.
If you want to be invited to these events in the future, please write to veranstaltungen@mpipriv.de.
VII Foro de Derecho Internacional Privado (Madrid): Call for Papers
The organizers of the VII Foro de Derecho Internacional Privado have issued a call for papers for the next edition of the Forum, which will take place at the University of Alcalá (Madrid, Spain) on 29–30 October 2026.
The Foro Europeo de Derecho Internacional Privado (FEDIPr) is a permanent seminar devoted to the study of issues arising from transnational private relationships through regular meetings focused on discussion and debate. The Forum aims to contribute to legal scholarship and scientific progress through an empirical, comparative, functional, and multidisciplinary methodology, while serving as a meeting place for specialists in Private International Law.
Virtual Presentation (in English) on May 26, 2026: Prof. TU Guangjian on China’s Shift on Foreign State Immunity and its Legal Implications for ‘One Country, Two Systems
Here is the link for the forthcoming Asian Private International Law Academy (APILA) monthly online meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 7 pm JST:
Topic: APILA Monthly Online Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 7 pm JST
Time: May 26, 2026 07:00 PM Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89849901085?pwd=FUgb34HqwyIhxkFU92lygqFSw6Ll3I.1
Meeting ID: 898 4990 1085
Passcode: 132732