Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law
Encyclopedia
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (Max Planck Institute for International Law, MPIL) is a legal research institute located in Heidelberg
, Germany
. It is operated by the Max Planck Society
. Founded in 1949, it is the successor institution of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
for Foreign and International Public Law, which was founded in 1924. The institute currently employs 69 scientific staff and is managed by its directors Rüdiger Wolfrum
(since 1993) and Armin von Bogdandy
(since 2002). It is seated at Heidelberg University's New Campus
.
The institute is one of the most important research institutions in the German-speaking world in the fields of international law
, European law, comparative
public law
, and for the theoretical frameworks of transnational law. It has traditionally performed important advisory functions for parliaments, administrative organs and courts concerned with questions of public international law, comparative public law and European law. In particular, the institute has provided the German Federal Constitutional Court, the German Bundestag and the German Federal Government with information, expert testimony and counsel, representing the Federal Republic of Germany
in several high-profile cases. Additionally, the institute is directly involved in the creation of legal institutions in several countries, at present particularly in Afghanistan
and Sudan
.
The institute's directors regularly hold the chairs for international law at the University of Heidelberg Law School. Moreover, the institute's directors traditionally have held outstanding positions in national and international judiciary:
Former research assistants include Hans-Peter Kaul
, sitting vice president of the International Criminal Court
, Juliane Kokott
, sitting Advocate General
of the European Court of Justice
, and Georg Nolte
, present member of the United Nations
International Law Commission
.
With 570.000 volumes, the institute's library contains the largest collection for international law
, European law, and public law
in Europe
. Regular publications by the institute include the "Heidelberg Journal for International Law", the "Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law"; the "Journal of the History of International Law"; the "Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law"; and the semi-annual bibliography "Public International Law".
Between January 2006 and December 2007, more than 190 foreign scholars from 48 countries completed several-week stays. Long-term guests are involved in the institute’s programs, especially symposia, lectures and the weekly meetings of the research staff, as well as various staff-led working groups on specific subject areas.
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is operated by the Max Planck Society
Max Planck Society
The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is a formally independent non-governmental and non-profit association of German research institutes publicly funded by the federal and the 16 state governments of Germany....
. Founded in 1949, it is the successor institution of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
The Kaiser Wilhelm Society for the Advancement of Science was a German scientific institution established in 1911. It was implicated in Nazi science, and after the Second World War was wound up and its functions replaced by the Max Planck Society...
for Foreign and International Public Law, which was founded in 1924. The institute currently employs 69 scientific staff and is managed by its directors Rüdiger Wolfrum
Rüdiger Wolfrum
Rüdiger Wolfrum is professor of international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
(since 1993) and Armin von Bogdandy
Armin von Bogdandy
Armin von Bogdandy is professor of public law and international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
(since 2002). It is seated at Heidelberg University's New Campus
New Campus (University of Heidelberg)
The New Campus of the University of Heidelberg is located in the newest district of Heidelberg called Neuenheimer Feld. It is today the larger part of the university, and the largest campus for natural sciences and life science in Germany. Many buildings of the science faculties and institutes, the...
.
The institute is one of the most important research institutions in the German-speaking world in the fields of international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, European law, comparative
Comparative law
Comparative law is the study of differences and similarities between the law of different countries. More specifically, it involves study of the different legal systems in existence in the world, including the common law, the civil law, socialist law, Islamic law, Hindu law, and Chinese law...
public law
Public law
Public law is a theory of law governing the relationship between individuals and the state. Under this theory, constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law...
, and for the theoretical frameworks of transnational law. It has traditionally performed important advisory functions for parliaments, administrative organs and courts concerned with questions of public international law, comparative public law and European law. In particular, the institute has provided the German Federal Constitutional Court, the German Bundestag and the German Federal Government with information, expert testimony and counsel, representing the Federal Republic of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in several high-profile cases. Additionally, the institute is directly involved in the creation of legal institutions in several countries, at present particularly in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
.
The institute's directors regularly hold the chairs for international law at the University of Heidelberg Law School. Moreover, the institute's directors traditionally have held outstanding positions in national and international judiciary:
- Hermann Mosler, Justice in the European Court of Human RightsEuropean Court of Human RightsThe European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
(1959–1976); Justice in the International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
(1976–1985) - Rudolf Bernhardt, President of the European Court of Human RightsEuropean Court of Human RightsThe European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
(Justice 1981-1998, President 1992-1998) - Helmut Steinberger, Justice in the German Federal Constitutional Court (1975–1987), Vice President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and ArbitrationOrganization for Security and Co-operation in EuropeThe Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
(2001–2008) - Jochen Frowein, Vice President of the European Commission for Human Rights (1977–1993)
- Rüdiger WolfrumRüdiger WolfrumRüdiger Wolfrum is professor of international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the SeaInternational Tribunal for the Law of the SeaThe International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an intergovernmental organization created by the mandate of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. It was established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on December 10, 1982...
(Justice since 1996, President 2005-2008) - Armin von BogdandyArmin von BogdandyArmin von Bogdandy is professor of public law and international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
, President of the European Nuclear Energy TribunalEuropean Nuclear Energy TribunalThe European Nuclear Energy Tribunal is an international tribunal, established 1 January 1960, that operates under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...
(Justice since 2001, President since 2006)
Former research assistants include Hans-Peter Kaul
Hans-Peter Kaul
Hans-Peter Kaul is a German judge, international law scholar, and former diplomat. Since 11 March 2003 he has served as Justice at the International Criminal Court in The Hague...
, sitting vice president of the International Criminal Court
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
, Juliane Kokott
Juliane Kokott
Juliane Kokott is the German Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union and Professor at the University of St. Gallen.- Biography :Juliane Kokott studied law in Bonn and Geneva...
, sitting Advocate General
Advocate General
An Advocate General is a senior law officer of a country or other jurisdiction, usually charged with advising the courts or Government on legal matters.-India:In India, an Advocate General is a legal adviser to a state government...
of the European Court of Justice
European Court of Justice
The Court can sit in plenary session, as a Grand Chamber of 13 judges, or in chambers of three or five judges. Plenary sitting are now very rare, and the court mostly sits in chambers of three or five judges...
, and Georg Nolte
Georg Nolte
Georg Nolte is a German jurist. He is professor of public international law at the Humboldt University of Berlin and is a member of the UN's International Law Commission....
, present member of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Law Commission
International Law Commission
The International Law Commission was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 for the "promotion of the progressive development of international law and its codification."It holds an annual session at the United Nations Office at Geneva....
.
With 570.000 volumes, the institute's library contains the largest collection for international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, European law, and public law
Public law
Public law is a theory of law governing the relationship between individuals and the state. Under this theory, constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Regular publications by the institute include the "Heidelberg Journal for International Law", the "Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law"; the "Journal of the History of International Law"; the "Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law"; and the semi-annual bibliography "Public International Law".
Between January 2006 and December 2007, more than 190 foreign scholars from 48 countries completed several-week stays. Long-term guests are involved in the institute’s programs, especially symposia, lectures and the weekly meetings of the research staff, as well as various staff-led working groups on specific subject areas.
Directors
- Carl Bilfinger (1950–1954)
- Hermann Mosler (1954–1980)
- Rudolf Bernhardt (–1993)
- Karl Doehring
- Helmut Steinberger
- Jochen Frowein (1981–2002)
- Rüdiger WolfrumRüdiger WolfrumRüdiger Wolfrum is professor of international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
(since 1993) - Armin von BogdandyArmin von BogdandyArmin von Bogdandy is professor of public law and international law at the University of Heidelberg School of Law and Director of the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law...
(since 2002)
See also
- Max Planck SocietyMax Planck SocietyThe Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is a formally independent non-governmental and non-profit association of German research institutes publicly funded by the federal and the 16 state governments of Germany....
- University of Heidelberg
- Heidelberg University Faculty of LawHeidelberg University Faculty of LawThe University of Heidelberg Faculty of Law , located in Heidelberg, Germany, is one of the original four constituent faculties of the University of Heidelberg...
- Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International LawMax Planck Encyclopedia of Public International LawThe Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law is an online encyclopedia dealing with international law. It is published under the auspices of Professor Rüdiger Wolfrum, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. The initiative to compile the...
- Netherlands Institute for the Law of the SeaNetherlands Institute for the Law of the SeaThe Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea is a research institute established at the University of Utrecht.In 1984, it was developed jointly by the Utrecht School of Law and the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law /NILOS...