VUB Contextual Research in Law

(image source: Magallánica ) Prof. Frederik Dhondt reviewed the book of dr. Edward Jones Corredera, The Diplomatic Enlightenment. Spain, Europe and the Age of Speculation [History of Political and Constitutional Thought, eds. Erica Benner, László Konter & Mark Somos; 5] (Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2021) for the journal Magallánica . Read the review here (open access in html and pdf).

  On Tuesday 30 January 2024, drs. João Tiago Freitas Mendes (FCT/VUB), doctoral candidate under supervision of prof. dr. Laurent De Sutter, will present his ongoing work on legal sociability . João has been a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Legal Theory and Legal History in the Fall semsester of 2023. More information on João here . The session will take place in room B 4.08 (VUB Humanities, Sciences and Engineering Campus, Building B) at 12:30 and will last until 14:00 at the latest. RSVP with rodrick dot van dot der dot smissen at vub dot be.

(image source: CDI ULB ) Abstract: A few months ago, Sociologies du droit was published by Dalloz. In this book, Olivier Corten aims to present sociologies of law, considered in a plural way and drawn from classic or contemporary works. The presentation is structured around eight tensions that characterise contemporary legal discourse. Is the sociology of law an original science or an offshoot of legal theory or philosophy? The legal establishment of facts: reflection or construction of a truth? The interpretation of law: discovery or creation of meaning?
Is the law freedom or constraint? The legal order, unity or plurality? Law as a vehicle for social solidarity: community or society? 
Formalisation or deformalisation of the law? Legality or legitimacy? Compared with the existing literature  also draws its originality from the use of illustrations drawn from popular culture (cinema, TV series, literature, etc.), not only for teaching purposes but also to show their role in certain cir

(image source: ESCLH Blog ) The European Society for Comparative Legal History has a call for bloggers (deadline 11 February). More information here .

  (image source: Brill ) Prof. Dave De ruysscher published an article on Grotius and limited liability in Grotiana , as part of a symposium organised at Tilburg University on Grotius. Abstract: Grotius’s ideas on proportionate and limited liability, as mentioned in the Inleidinge and De iure belli ac pacis, were novel in comparison to the civilian doctrine of his time. Grotius drew from sources of local law and statutes regarding maritime law but was nonetheless original in his interpretations. Grotius proposed to consider the liability of co-owners of ships (reders, exercitores), who acted as organizers of maritime expeditions, and of others that were participating in these expeditions, as broad. At the same time, their liability was limited to the maximum of the value of the ship and cargo. In this regard, Grotius’s conceptions hinged on a view of a ship’s voyage as engendering a community of risk among all stakeholders. However, in spite of the underlying connections, Grotius did n