The RE_INFORM project at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law and Goethe University Frankfurt invites abstracts for its workshop, “Informal International Law and Foreign Relations Law: Doctrine, Empirics, Reform.” The workshop will take place on 8–9 April 2027 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, convened by Helmut Philipp Aust and Thomas Kleinlein.
About Max Planck Institute and Goethe University Frankfurt
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, based in Heidelberg, conducts research in public international law, European Union law, and comparative constitutional and administrative law.
Its joint RE_INFORM project with Goethe University Frankfurt examines how informal international instruments affect German foreign relations law. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the project combines doctrinal analysis with archival research and interviews with practitioners.
About the Workshop
The interdisciplinary workshop will explore the increasing use of non-legally binding international instruments and their implications for domestic legal systems.
Discussions will address the relationship between informal international law and foreign relations law, methodological approaches to empirical research, and comparative perspectives on legal reform.
The organisers anticipate 20–25 participants, with academic and practitioner presentations alongside informal discussions.
Eligibility Criteria
The workshop is intended for scholars and practitioners working in international law, constitutional law and foreign policy.
Themes and Research Questions
Proposals may address the following areas:
- Historical development: The origins and evolution of informal international instruments, their significance, and methods for empirically assessing informalisation.
- Responses of international bodies: Approaches adopted by the International Law Commission and other bodies, including the Council of Europe’s CAHDI working group.
- Comparative analysis: How domestic legal systems respond to informal international law, experiences with legislative reform, and the need to change existing practices.
- Subnational developments: The roles of German Länder, cities and local governments in informal international cooperation.
- Specific subject areas: Informalisation in defence cooperation, migration, climate action, health and banking, including its positive and negative effects.
Submission Guidelines
Applicants must submit:
- An abstract of no more than 500 words.
- The paper title and the name, title and affiliation of the author or authors.
- A CV including a list of publications.
Selected speakers will be expected to submit a 2,000-word draft paper, including footnotes, by 1 March 2027.
Presentations must not exceed 20 minutes.
Duration
The workshop will run for two days, on 8 and 9 April 2027.
Location
The venue is Goethe University Frankfurt, Campus Westend, IG-Farben Haus, Room IG 1.314 (Eisenhower Room), Norbert-Wollheim-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Participation Mode
The workshop will be held in person at Goethe University Frankfurt.
Travel and Accommodation Support
Accommodation and travel expenses will be covered in accordance with the applicable Hessian public-sector regulations.
How to Apply?
Email your abstract and CV, including your publication list, to Ms. Sabine Schimpf at re-inform@jur.uni-frankfurt.de.
Applications must reach the organisers by 7 December 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Abstract submission deadline | 7 December 2026 |
| Notification of acceptance | By 21 December 2026 |
| Draft paper submission deadline | 1 March 2027 |
| Workshop | 8–9 April 2027 |
Contact Details
For submissions, contact re-inform@jur.uni-frankfurt.de.
To discuss potential topics or ideas informally, contact:
- Helmut Philipp Aust: aust@mpil.de.
- Thomas Kleinlein: kleinlein@jur.uni-frankfurt.de.
Official Call and Project Details
Read the workshop call for papers.
Visit the official RE_INFORM project page.
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