nternational company law and international insolvency law

The Chair carries out ongoing scientific research in international company law and international insolvency law, in particular focussing on the following subjects:

1. European company law, comprising in particular: the harmonization of company law of the EU member states by EU guidelines; the types of company (ie European company limited by shares, SE) created by EU regulations; scope and limits of freedom of establishment.
2. Conflict law. The law of conflicts pertaining to international private law determines the extent to which national law is applicable to companies (“company statute”), which is based, for example, on the seat of the registered office or the actual administrative seat of the company. Another task of the conflict law consists in distinguish the company statute from other statutes (ie against law of insolvency and law of torts).
3. The legal position of companies in international civil procedural law. Civil procedural law deals, for example, with the obligation of German companies to appear before a foreign court, and the obligation of foreign companies to appear before a national court. It further covers topics as regards international insolvency law and commercial register issues relating to foreign matters.
4. Foreign law. Comparative law in the field of company law facilitates the practical work with foreign companies (ie in respect of proof of existence and representation or share acquisition). Comparative law further provides important impulses for the development both of German and European company law.