Views
Colonialism and German PIL (1) – Colonial Structures in Traditional PIL
This post is the first of a series regarding Colonialism and the general structure of (German) Private International Law, based on a presentation I gave in spring 2023. See the introduction here.
As mentioned in the introduction, this series does not intent to automatically pass judgment on a norm or method influenced by colonialism as inherently negative (I emphasise this because my experience shows that the impression quickly arises). Instead, the aim is to reveal these influences and to initiate a first engagement with and awareness of this topic and to stimulate a discussion and reflection.
The first category, to be discussed today, relates to the (sometimes unconscious) implementation and later continuation of the colonial structure in PIL – now and then.
Colonialism and German Private International Law – Introduction to a Post Series
In March 2023 I gave a talk at the conference of the German Society of International Law. The conference had the title “Colonial Continuities in International Law“ and my presentation focused on “Continuation of colonialism in contemporary international law? – Foundations, structures, methods from the perspective of PIL“. Thus, I was exploring those foundations, basic structures, and fundamental methods of mainly German Private International Law (PIL) and whether and how they have been influenced by colonialism.
French Cour de cassation rules (again) on duty of domestic courts to apply European rules of conflict on their own motion

News
Out Now: The 26th Volume of the Japanese Yearbook of Private International Law (2024)
The 26th Volume of the Japanese Yearbook of Private International Law (Kokusai Shiho Nenpo) published by the Private International Law Association of Japan (Kokusai Shiho Gakkai) (hereinafter “PILAJ”)has recently been released.
This new volume features the following table of content (all links direct to the papers’ English abstracts)
Part 1 – The Status and Development of Private International Law from a Global Perspective
Corporate Climate Liability in Private International Law (in English)
Marc-Philippe WELLER and Madeleine Petersen WEINER Read more
ILA Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Call for Papers
The International Law Association Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has issued a Call for Papers for a conference scheduled for 7 April 2025 titled ‘Shaping Appropriate ADR in International Law’. Further information is available here. The deadline for submissions is 5 February 2025.
Workshop on Addressing Conflict of Laws and Facilitating Digital Product Passports
UN/CEFACT would like to invite you to attend: The 5th Working Group Meeting on Addressing Conflict of Laws and Facilitating Digital Product Passports in Cross-Border Value Chain: –19 Mar 7-8:00 pm (Sydney Time), Dr. Fabian Sack, Sydney University (Zoom): Life cycle assessment For the zoom link and previous meeting minutes, please refer to the project […]