In a world where technological, geopolitical, and societal changes follow one another at a rapid pace, private international law (PIL) is facing new challenges. PIL, as a legal field that governs cross-border private law issues and is traditionally based on territoriality and a clear distinction between public and private law, must constantly adapt to remain effective in a changing context. This is what Professor of Private International Law and Comparative Law, Marieke Oderkerk, states in her inaugural lecture.
Oderkerk advocates for renewed research into the foundations of PIL. To what extent are the methods used and the identified principles and interests still viable in an era of digital transformations, climate issues, and geopolitical shifts?
With a critical perspective, Oderkerk examines the historical development of PIL, the impact of recent global trends, and the possibilities for a responsive and flexible framework that serves individual, national, and international interests alike.