Events

Blockchain and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions: A question of compatibility 11 April 2019, 6 pm Sigmund Freud University Freudplatz 3, 1020 Vienna, Austria Dr. Orkun Akseli (Durham University Law School) Spyridon V. Bazinas Introductory Remarks Prof. Akseli will present the potential use of a blockchain based distributed ledger platform as a registry for security rights as well as its interac-tion with the principles of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions (‘MLST’). This type of technology has the potential to revolutionise the third party effectiveness of security inter-ests. In this process, the modern principles of the MLST could play a pivotal role in reducing the cost of credit and expanding the financial inclu-sion of small businesses and individuals. Block-chain and distributed ledger technology through disintermediation have the necessary characteristics to decentralise and streamline the registra-tion of security interests. The technology can also support the taking of security interests on digital assets. These assets include receivables denomi-nated as cryptocurrencies, units denominated as cryptocurrencies, blockchain based tokens repre-senting negotiable documents and blockchain ba-sed tokens representing securities. Invitation: Blockchain and the...

Company Law An Entity Theory 11 February 2021, 5 pm – 7 pm (CET) Spyridon Bazinas IACPIL, Board Member Welcome and Introduction Eva Micheler London School of Economics Company Law – An Entity Theory Walter Doralt University of Graz Entity Theory and Legislative Activism: The Austrian Limited Discussion Organisations are a social phenomenon outside of company law. Company law finds this phenomenon and provides it with a legal structure. It makes available legal personality and a pro-cedural framework facilitating corporate deci-sion making and corporate acting. Company law evolves with a view to supporting auto-nomous action through organisations. Eva Micheler advances an entity theory of com-pany law. It builds on the insight that orga-nisations or firms are autonomous actors in their own right. They are more than the sum of contributions of their participants. They also act independently of the views and in-terests of their participants. This occurs be-cause human beings change their behaviour when they act as members of a group or of an organisations. In a group we tend to develop and conform to a shared standard. When we...

Company Law An Entity Theory 11 February 2021, 5 pm – 7 pm (CET) Spyridon Bazinas IACPIL, Board Member Welcome and Introduction Eva Micheler London School of Economics Company Law – An Entity Theory Walter Doralt University of Graz Entity Theory and Legislative Activism: The Austrian Limited Discussion Organisations are a social phenomenon outside of company law. Company law finds this phenomenon and provides it with a legal structure. It makes available legal personality and a pro-cedural framework facilitating corporate deci-sion making and corporate acting. Company law evolves with a view to supporting auto-nomous action through organisations. Eva Micheler advances an entity theory of com-pany law. It builds on the insight that orga-nisations or firms are autonomous actors in their own right. They are more than the sum of contributions of their participants. They also act independently of the views and in-terests of their participants. This occurs be-cause human beings change their behaviour when they act as members of a group or of an organisations. In a group we tend to develop and conform to a shared standard. When we...

Security and other interests in digital assets A report on the progress of the Uniform Law Commission and American Law Institute Committee on the Uniform Commercial Code and Emerging Technologies, with comparative law remarks from a European point of view Wednesday, 2 June 2021, 17:00–19:00 CET or 11:00–13:00 ET   Welcome and introduction Spyridon Bazinas IACPIL, Board Member Observer, ULC/ALI Committee on the Uniform Commercial Code and Emerging Technologies   Progress report Edwin E. Smith Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York and Boston Uniform Law Commissioner from the Common-wealth of Massachusetts currently serving as chair of the ULC/ALI Committee on the Uniform Commercial Code and Emerging Technologies   Comparative law remarks from a European point of view Andrea Tosato Associate Professor in Commercial Law, University of Nottingham Law School Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania Law School Observer, ULC/ALI Committee on the Uniform Commercial Code and Emerging Technologies   Discussion The Joint Committee on the Uniform Commer-cial Code and Emerging Technologies, with members from the American Law Institute and the Uniform Law Commission, is drafting amendments to the Uniform Commercial...

The Interdisciplinary Association of Comparative and Private International Law mourns the death of Peter Mankowski. Our sympathy goes to his family.   Board of IACPIL   Bea Verschraegen, Vice President of IACPIL, has published an obituary to Peter Mankowski. For the obituary Prof. Dr. Peter Mankowski in memoriam ZfRV 2022-9 92

The Interdisciplinary Association of Comparative and Private International Law (IACPIL) is hosting a conference on the Legal Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Central and Eastern Europe. The aging population and the rise of age-related diseases result in the urgent need to address the legal issues surrounding vulnerable adults. Beyond the challenges posed by the aging demographic, other vulnerable groups also warrant legal protection. Conducting a comparative analysis of the prevailing legal frameworks for protecting vulnerable adults becomes imperative to gain insights into effective solutions and identify areas requiring further attention. This conference will therefore explore the protection of vulnerable adults in Central and Eastern Europe including cross-border issues. Masha Antokolskaia and Bea Verschraegen, renowned experts in the fields of comparative and private international law, will shed light on the complexities surrounding the protection of vulnerable adults.   16:00–16:05 Welcome Matthias Lehmann (IACPIL, University of Vienna / Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen) 16:05–16:10 Moderation and Introduction Matthias Neumayr (IACPIL, Vice President of the Austrian Supreme Court) 16:10–16:50 Comparison of Vulnerable Adults‘ Protection in Central and Eastern Europe Masha Antokolskaia (IACPIL, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)...

From 11 to 12 April 2024, a conference on "Digital Assets and Private International Law" will be held at the University of Vienna. Outline: Digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and other tokens, have become important as objects of investment and trade. They are recorded on the blockchain, an electronic ledger held in identical form on servers (nodes) all over the world. Therefore, the determination of the governing law presents particular challenges. This conference will explore whether Private International Law methodology can be successfully applied to digital assets or whether it needs to be changed in light of the 'blockchain revolution'. Date: 11 and 12 April 2024 Place: Juridicum. Schottenbastei 10-16, A-1010 Vienna, roof top floor Format: The conference will take place in a hybrid format. Speakers and participants will meet in the Juridicum. The proceedings will be streamed simultaneously online. Registration (both for physical attendance and online participation) can be made until 6 April 2024 by email at the following address: service.rechtsvergleichung@univie.ac.at. Participation is free but registration compulsory.

The Interdisciplinary Association of Comparative and Private International Law, in cooperation with the University of Vienna, the University of California Berkeley, the Revue critique de droit international privé, and the Austrian Ministry of Justice, will host a conference on 20 June 2024 to honour Albert Armin Ehrenzweig and his extraordinary jurisprudential legacy, which will be revisited from today’s perspective. For further information, please see the flyer.

The Belgian legal system is undergoing fundamental changes, reflecting Belgium's efforts to adapt its legal framework to contemporary challenges. The University of Vienna, the Association Henri Capitant (German and Belgian branch) and the IACPIL are therefore organising a joint conference on the amendments to the Belgian property law, special contracts law and the law of obligations and securities. Please register by 22 November 2024 at service.rechtsvergleichung@univie.ac.at The programme is linked here.

The Austrian Government plans to introduce a register for security rights in movable property. Such a register could facilitate the financing of Austrian businesses and improve their access to liquidity. But how should such a register be designed? Which elements are essential, which merely useful – and which should be avoided? To explore these questions, the conference brings together leading experts from academia and practice across several EU Member States. They will present their national experiences with security rights registers and discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to identify proven models that could serve as a foundation for future Austrian legislation. Format: Hybrid (in person and online). Registration: Please register here. Participation is free of charge. Conference programme: The programme is linked here.