Hon. Prof. Stefan Vogenauer, MJur (Oxford), Dr. Martin O'Donoghue
Mo, 14-16 Uhr c.t., mpilhlt*; beginnend am 13.04.2026, endend am 06.07.2026
As
the British Empire expanded, English law was being introduced in very different
parts of the world. Rules, principles and institutions from England were
brought into force in regions and societies as diverse as Australia, Ghana,
India, Jamaica and Singapore. In this research colloquium, we enquire how this
process unfolded in various places.
In
many cases English law encountered local or regional traditions, both legal and
non-legal. To what extent did these encounters differ from each other? Was
there ever anything resembling the frequently invoked 'unity of the common
law'? Or did the law of England acquire a distinctive flavour in each
territory, depending on the geography, the climate and the prevailing
religions, moral and economic views of the inhabitants? And, finally, can we
learn anything from the experience of English law for the broader debate on
'legal transplants' and, even more generally, legal development as such?
Students
have the opportunity to choose the topic of their written assignment
(Seminararbeit) based on the theme of one of the scheduled seminar sessions, or
choose their own topic of research in consultation with the seminar
coordinator. They can choose to submit their assignment (approx. 20 pages) in
the German or the English language and make an oral presentation (in English) to
the other students either at the end of the scheduled semester or at the start
of the following semester. Active participation is expected.
There
will be two preliminary meetings, one taking place at the end of the semester
before the seminar begins, and one at the start of the semester in which the
seminar will be held. Students are encouraged to meet the seminar organisers at
either of these sessions to introduce themselves and receive more information
on the seminars. In order to enquire about the date and venue of the next
preliminary meeting please email odonoghue@lhlt.mpg.de.
Das Seminar findet am *Max-Planck-Institut für Rechtsgeschichte und Rechtstheorie in englischer Sprache im Seminarraum Z01 statt.
