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Latest News
BEUC Workshop on Collective redress for digital rights
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On March 8, 2023, BEUC (Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs) hosted a workshop dedicated to the topic of "Collective redress for digital rights". In the first panel, current problems and challenges of collective redress were presented based on case studies by speakers from several European countries as well as from the USA. In the subsequent commentary-panel, Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) participated as a presenter. In her presentation, Prof. Augenhofer compared the U.S. perspective on mass claims with the European one. |
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Panel Talk „Emerging Trends in Third Party Funding”
at New York University (NYU)
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The Center of Civil Justice at New York University School of Law hosted a conference last Friday, 3 February 2023 dedicated to the topic of litigation funding: Under the title "Emerging Trends in Third Party Funding," participants discussed current developments and challenges in third-party funding of civil litigation in a total of five panel discussions, with Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) participating as a discussant on the 1st panel ("Disclosure and Discovery"). For further information on the event, please visit the NYU homepage. |
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Webinar on "Repair and Reuse – Towards a Circular Economy"
On 25 January 2023, a webinar on the topic "Repair and Reuse - Towards a Circular Economy", organized by the European Law Institute (ELI), took place in which Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) participated as a speaker. For further information as well as the recording please visit the ELI homepage under the following link.
Report on the 155th event of the "Monday seminar series" - Verantwortlichkeit für die Lieferkette: Was bringt uns Brüssel?
The first event of the Monday seminar series "Current Problems of Private Business Law" in the new year took place on 16 January 2023 and was dedicated to the topic of supply chain responsibility: Under the title "Verantwortlichkeit für die Lieferkette: Was bringt uns Brüssel?", Prof. Dr. Martin Winner (Vienna University of Economics and Business) and Prof. Dr. Anne-Christin Mittwoch (University of Halle-Wittenberg) spoke about the current EU directive proposal on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence as well as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which came into force in Germany on 1 January 2023. Once again, the event, organized by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper, was rounded off by questions from the audience to the experts.
High Level Expert Group Meeting (ELI) on "Nudges as Enablers of Sustainable Living"
On December 7, 2022, the European Law Institute (ELI) organized a High Level Expert Group meeting on the topic "Nudges as enablers for sustainable living: Identifying their Potential and Legal Challenges", in which, among others, Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) participated. For more information please click here.
Report on the 154th event of the "Monday seminar series": Prof. Dr. Christian Kersting, LL.M. (Yale) - “Need for Change in Antitrust Damages Law?”
On December 12, 2022, this year’s last event of the Monday seminar series, hosted by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper, with the title “Need for Change in Antitrust Damages Law?” took place. Prof. Dr. Christian Kersting, LL.M. (Yale), holder of the chair for civil law as well as German and international corporate, business and antitrust law at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, spoke together with Dr. Katharina Kolb, Managing Partner of the Munich office of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP, about the status and perspectives of antitrust damages law and analyzed problem areas as well as reform proposals for the current legal situation. As always, a concluding round of talks gave the audience opportunity for a lively discussion.
Report on the Evening Lecture “Research Perspectives in the History of Private and Social Security Law” from Prof. Hellwege
On December 6, 2022, the Institute for Business Law in cooperation with the Institue for Legal History hosted another Evening Lecture on "Research Perspectives in Private and Social Security Law History". After an introduction by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale), the speaker Prof. Dr. Phillip Hellwege M.Jur. (Oxford), holder of the Chair of Civil Law, Business Law and Legal History at the University of Augsburg, spoke about the content, methods and perspectives of his research program "A comparative History of Insurance Law in Europe", which is funded by the European Research Council. The event was moderated by Univ.-Prof. DDr. Martin P. Schennach, MAS.
Legal Panorama in cooperation with “Die Presse” goes Innsbruck: "One for all: What will the new representative action bring?"
On Monday, 28 November 2022, the Institute for Business Law organized in cooperation with the Austrian newspaper “Die Presse” a legal panorama on the EU Representative Actions Directive. Panelists were Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale), Prof. Dr. Beate Gsell (LMU Munich), Dr. Martina de Lind van Wijngaarden, LL.M. (Columbia) (litigator and partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) and Dina Komor (Senior Investment Manager and Legal Counsel at litigation financier Omni Bridgeway). The discussion was moderated by Benedikt Kommenda (Die Presse). The different perspectives of the experts on the podium stimulated a vivid discussion and gave the audience, who were present in person and via Zoom, interesting insights on how the upcoming representative action might affect consumers as well as business. The subsequent get-together provided an opportunity for professional and personal exchange.
The link to the coverage of "die Presse" can be found here.
Report on the 152nd event of the “Monday Seminar Series“: Prof. Dr. Moritz Hennemann (University of Passau) - "The new EU data economic law: Data Act and Data Governance Act. Difficulties and pitfalls for practice"
On November 14th 2022, the second part of our “Monday Seminar Series” of the winter semester 2022/23, organised by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper, took place. Prof. Dr. Moritz Hennemann (University of Passau) spoke to the online participants about the current challenges of EU data law and presented the Data Act and the Data Governance Act as the most recent legal acts of the EU Commission in the data law field. Subsequently, Anna Ludin (data law expert of the EU Commission) gave exciting insights into the internal development process as well as the backgrounds of these EU legal acts and supplemented Prof. Hennemann's lecture with a personal assessment of the perspective of European data law. Remaining questions were answered by the speakers in an interesting concluding discussion.
Lecture by Prof. Susanne Augenhofer at the conference "Sustainability in the mirror of law" in Innsbruck
On Tuesday, 25 October 2022 Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) gave a lecture at the thematically highly relevant conference "Sustainability in the Mirror of Law", which was organized by the Institute for Future and Theory of Law. Entitled "The Consumer as a Driver of Green Change," she addressed ways to make civil law more sustainable in her lecture. In particular, she dealt with "greenwashing" as well as the "right to repair." Due to her participation at a meeting of the “Consumer Policy Advisory Group” of the European Commission, she held her lecture online. In her panel, together with Prof. Dr. Axel Halfmeier, LL.M., she discussed opportunities offered by civil law in favor of sustainability.
“The Laws of Power” – Inaugural Lecture Prof. Susanne Augenhofer
After several COVID-related postponements, the inaugural lecture of Univ-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) took place on Monday, 17 October 2022 in the auditorium of the University of Innsbruck. Together with Univ-Prof. Dr. Matthias Kettemann, LL.M. (Harvard), who also gave his official inaugural lecture at the Faculty of Law, they dealt with the topics "The Power of Law - The Laws of Power". In particular, Prof. Augenhofer provided insights into the challenges that antitrust law is facing due to digitalization. The professors and their guests were welcomed by vice-chancellor Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Tilmann Märk and Dean of Studies Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard A. Koch, LL.M. (Michigan), who praised the professors' commitment to digitalization. For the first time at the Law Faculty, the inaugural lecture took place as a hybrid – both online and offline – event so that we were able to welcome guests from several European countries as well as the US. Following the presentations, there was the opportunity for further exchange over a delicious buffet. We are looking forward to a successful future at the University of Innsbruck!
Report on the Lecture: Prof. Thomas Ackermann – "Fair (Fuel) Prices through Antitrust Law?"
The first evening lecture as part of our semestral "Monday Seminar Series", organized by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper, took place on 10 October 2022 as a hybrid event with participants present on site as well as online. Prof. Dr. jur. Thomas Ackermann, LL.M. (Cambridge) presented the connections between fuel prices and antitrust law as shown by the current example of the "fuel discount" in Germany. He also discussed the main elements of the upcoming 11th amendment to the German Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB). In the following discussion, MMag. Erika Ummenberger-Zierler supplemented the discussion with a presentation of the Austrian legal situation as well as the relevant fundamental rights restrictions on price controls.
The Hub Award 2022 of the European Law Institute goes to Austria!
The Austrian Hub is delighted about receiving the Annual Hub Award of the European Law Institute. With this prize, the ELI honours a Hub every year that has made a special contribution to the goals of the European Law Institute.
Co-Chair Univ.-Prof. Dr. Walter Doralt (Graz) accepted the Award with pleasure on the evening of September 6th in Madrid during the Annual Conference of the European Law Institute, also on behalf of his Co-Chairs Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) from the Department of Business Law and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Koller (Universität Wien).
The Austrian Hub is grateful for this special honour and looking forward to the exchange with the Fellows of the ELI and other interested parties as part of the events organized by the Hub in autumn (further information on the events organized by the Department can be found here).
NOTE: secretary's office of Prof. Augenhofer temporarily not occupied
Please contact sekretariat-augenhofer@uibk.ac.at if you have any inquiries.
5th Open Düsseldorf Seminar for Doctoral Students in Antitrust Law
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On September 5 and 6, 2022, the 5th Open Düsseldorf Doctoral Seminar in Antitrust Law took place in Düsseldorf. Among the approximately 60 doctoral students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland was Univ. Ass. Johannes Giacomuzzi from the University of Innsbruck. |
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Professor Augenhofer appointed reporter for ELI project
Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) from the Institute of Corporate and Tax Law has been appointed by the ELI as reporter for the "Third Party Funding of Litigation Project". Further information on the project can be found here.
Report on the conference „Class and Aggregate Litigation in Europe and North America”
From July 8th to July 9th, 2022, the conference “Class and Aggregate Litigation in Europe and North America” took place at the Villa La Pietra (NYU) in Florence, Italy. The event was initiated and co-organized by Univ. Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) as a member of the ELI Austrian Hub, together with the NYU School of Law. Among the attendees were many high ranking academics, judges, and practitioners from both sides of the Atlantic. This exceptional group of participants brought many years of experience and an incredible expertise to the conference.
The full report can be found here.
Report on the Evening Lecture „The changing role of contracts in the contemporary economic environment” from Prof. Lisa Bernstein
On June 8, the third and final Evening Lecture of the Summer Semester 2022 took place at the University of Innsbruck. The speaker Prof. Lisa Bernstein, Wilson-Dickinson Professor of Law from the University of Chicago Law School, spoke about "The role of contracts in the contemporary economic environment". The event was organized and moderated by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale).
The full report can be found here.
Report on the Evening Lecture „The Iron Law of Financial Regulation” from Prof. Roberta Romano
On May 31, the second Evening Lecture of the Summer Semester 2022 took place at the University of Innsbruck. The speaker Prof. Roberta Romano from Yale Law School spoke about "The Iron Law of Financial Regulation". The event was organized and moderated by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale).
The full report can be found here.
Report on the Monday Seminar Series: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Chris Thomale, LL.M. (Yale), University of Vienna with the lecture on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions
On 23 May, the fifth Monday Seminar of the summer term 2022 organised by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper took place. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Chris Thomale, LL.M. (Yale), University of Vienna, gave a virtual zoom lecture on the forthcoming implementation of the EU Mobility Directive 2019/2121 in Austria, laying down new rules on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions. The transposition must take place by 31 January 2023. Following the lecture, his discussion partner, RA Dr. Roman Perner, Attorney at Law Vienna, shed light on further practical aspects of the upcoming reform. In the end, there was an exciting exchange between the two speakers and the participants, which also included comparative legal considerations on the implementation in the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Report on the seminar on Competition law and the ELSA event on the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
On May 12 and 13, 2022, the seminar on competition law by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Giorgio Monti, of Tilburg Law School, took place at the University of Innsbruck. In close collaboration with the seminar, on May 12, the European Law School Association (ELSA) organized an event with the participation of Prof. Augenhofer and Prof. Monti, as well as RA Dr Barbist from Binder Grösswang and Dr Wolf from the European Commission. Both events dealt with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a highly topical project of the European legislator aiming to regulate the digital economy.
The full report can be found here.
Report on the Monday Seminar Series - Current Problems of Private Commercial Law: RA Dr. Alexander Klauser, Attorney at Law Vienna with the lecture:
"Ischgl and the spread of the Corona virus in March 2020 - civil and criminal liability from a consumer perspective".
On May 09, the fourth event of the lecture series "Current Problems of Private Commercial Law" organized by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper took place. For the first time since the Covid 19 pandemic, the majority of the participants were present at the University of New Orleans Hall at the University of Innsbruck when Dr. Alexander Klauser, attorney-at-law, gave a lecture on the current topic "Ischgl and the spread of the Corona virus in March 2020 - civil and criminal liability from the consumer's point of view". Following his presentation, which was dominated by procedural law, his discussion partners, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Koch, LL.M. (Michigan) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Venier from the University of Innsbruck, shed light on the topic from a civil and criminal law perspective.
Report on the Evening Lecture: "Digital Dispute Resolution” by Prof. Dr. Horst Eidenmüller, University of Oxford
On May 4, 2022, as part of the event series "Evening Lectures" Prof. Dr. Horst Eidenmüller presented the book "Law by Algorithm", which he wrote together with his co-author Prof. Dr. Gerhard Wagner, LL.M. (University of Chicago).
First, he explained important key areas of the book and showed that dealing with new technologies requires a combination of social science and normative insights. The presentation focused on the final chapter of the book, "Digital Dispute Resolution". Prof. Eidenmüller contrasted the shortcomings of current courts with the possibilities offered by digital alternative dispute resolution. At the same time, he emphasized that AI is never fully neutral and warned about the enormous power that large platforms have in out-of-court dispute resolution. Additionally, he stressed that it will become increasingly important to train human judges appropriately so that they are able to review private decisions made by AI.
We would like to thank Prof. Eidenmüller very much for the exciting lecture!
Guest lecture on Liechtenstein Foundation by Dr. Marco Lettenbichler
On 3 May 2022, Dr. Marco Lettenbichler, post-doctoral researcher at the Chair of Company, Foundation and Trust Law, Institute for Business Law, at the University of Liechtenstein, gave a guest lecture on the private- and common-benefit (charitable) Liechtenstein foundation as part of the course "Introduction to Liechtenstein Business and Company Law". A large number of questions from the students showed the interest in this legal entity.
© Univ.-Ass. Mag. Patrick Raschner
Report on the Monday Seminar Series: Prof. Eva Micheler, London School of Economics with the lecture: "Corporate Law Theory - A Revival of the Real Entity Theory".
The third "Monday Seminar" of the summer semester 2022, organised by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper, took place on 25 April 2022. Prof. Dr. Eva Micheler M.Jur., M.Litt (Oxford), London School of Economics, presented the central aspects of her book she had recently published with Oxford University Press, which advocates in particular for a revival of the Real Entity Theory. She thus follows up on a fundamental discussion that already took place in the 19th century. In the following discussion, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Friedrich Harrer, University of Salzburg, discussed the advantages, but also disadvantages of proposed revival.
“ELI Webinar on the Sustainable Consumption of Goods”
On 27/04/2022, the European Law Institute (ELI) hosted a webinar with high-profile speakers to present and discuss the recent publication by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) on behalf of the ELI on the European Commission's Public Consultation on Sustainable Consumption of Goods.
On this occasion, Prof. Augenhofer presented the response to the consultation and dealt in particular with possible amendments to the Sale of Goods Directive. In addition, she mentioned some recommendations to the European legislator. The other panelists were Prof. Dr. Dirk Staudenmayer, Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Hans-Wolfgang Micklitz and Dr. Marta dos Santos Silva. The event was moderated by ELI President Prof. Dr. Pascal Pichonnaz, LL.M (Berkeley).
Under the following link you will find the recording of the event as well as further information:
ELI-Response by Professor Augenhofer to the European Commission's Public Consultation
The European Law Institute (ELI) has submitted a response - drafted by Professor Augenhofer - to the European Commission's Public Consultation on Sustainable Consumption of Goods - Promoting the Right to Repair and Use. The full response and further information can be found here.
Report on the Seminar Series – Current Problems of Private Commercial Law: Prof. Dr. Katja Langenbucher, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main with the lecture "Wirecard"
On Monday, January 24, 2022 the sixth and last event of the seminar series “Current Problems of Private Commercial Law” (also known as “Monday Seminar”) took place in the winter semester 2021/2022. The online event was organised and moderated by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper.The speaker Prof. Dr. Katja Langenbucher, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main gave a presentation on the topic "Wirecard". The main focus of the lecture was on the role of the German corporate governance architecture in the context of the Wirecard scandal as well as on the (legal) consequences of this largest economic scandal in recent German history. In the subsequent discussion with Mag. Dr. Ulla Reisch, attorney at-law she shed light in particular on the Austrian control architecture with a view to the preventive avoidance of such economic scandals (© Julian Nigg).
A detailed report on the Seminar is available here.
Report on the Seminar Series – Current Problems of Private Commercial Law: Prof. DDr. Martin Gelter, S.J.D., Fordham University School of Law with the lecture: "Empirical Investigation on the Choice between Monistic and Dualistic Organ Structure in Europe"
On 10 January 2022, the fifth event of the seminar series “Current Problems of Private Commercial Law” (also known as “Monday Seminar”) took place in the winter semester 2021/2022. The online event was organised and moderated by Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Prof. Dr. Alexander Schopper. The speaker Prof. DDr. Martin Gelter, S.J.D., Fordham University School of Law gave a lecture on "Empirical Investigation on the Choice between Monistic and Dualistic Organ Structure in Europe". Afterwards, MMag. Dr. Christoph Diregger, Attorney at law discussed the empirical results of the study. (© Julian Nigg)
A detailed report on the Seminar is available here.
Professor Augenhofer to become part of the Advisory Board "Smart Regulation" at the University of Graz
Professor Augenhofer was invited by Prof. Dr. Reidl, Vice-Rector at the University of Graz, to become a member of the Advisory Board in the Field of Excellence Smart Regulation at the University of Graz. Professor Augenhofer was pleased to accept this invitation and is looking forward to her new task.
Current Problems of Private Business Law
General information on the seminar series "Current Problems of Private Business Law"
Information on the seminar series winter semester 2022/2023
Registration required! All events are also streamed. You will receive the link with the access data after registration. In case of a hybrid event, it will take place in the University of New Orleans Saal (Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck). The event modalities may change in case of tightening restrictions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Program winter semester 2022 / 2023
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10.10.2022 |
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Vortragende/r: |
Prof. Dr. Thomas Ackermann, LL.M. (Cambridge), LMU |
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Diskussion mit: |
MMag. Erika Ummenberger-Zierler, Bundesministerium für Arbeit & Wirtschaft |
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14.11.2022 |
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Vortragende/r: |
Prof. Dr. Moritz Hennemann, Universität Passau |
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Diskussion mit: |
Anna Ludin, Policy Officer, Europäische Kommission |
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28.11.2022 |
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Diskussion u. a. mit: |
Prof. Beate Gsell, LMU und Mag. Benedikt Kommenda, die Presse |
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12.12.2022 |
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Vortragende/r: |
Prof. Dr. Christian Kersting, LL.M. (Yale), Universität Düsseldorf |
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Diskussion mit: |
RA Dr. Katharina Kolb, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein |
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16.01.2023 |
Verantwortlichkeit für die Lieferkette: Was bringt uns Brüssel? |
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Vortragende/r: |
Prof. Dr. Martin Winner, WU Wien |
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Diskussion mit: |
Prof. Dr. Anne-Christin Mittwoch, Universität Halle |
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30.01.2023 |
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Vortragende/r: |
Prof. Dr. Christiane Wendehorst, LL.M. (Cantab.), Universität Wien |
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Diskussion mit: |
tbc |
With friendly support of
Here you can download the programme as a PDF document.
Evening Lectures
The event series takes place in cooperation with the Austrian Hub of the European Law Institute (ELI).
Conferences
Report on the conference on „Third party litigation funding – a necessity or deterrence of Justice?“ on 10.12.2021
On Friday, December 10, 2021, a conference on “Third party litigation funding – a necessity or deterrence of Justice?” was held, focusing in particular on the Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions for the protection of consumers´ collective interests (“Collective Redress”) and on the practical handling of the third-party litigation funding issue. The online event was hosted by the Austrian Hub of the ELI and moderated by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale), co-chair Austrian Hub. The keynote address was given by Prof. Judith Resnik, Yale Law School on the topic “The Need for and the Challenges of collective redress”.
A detailed report on the Conference is available here.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Koch, LL.M. (Michigan)
The Implementation of the Directive Concerning Contracts for the Sale of Goods and the Digital Content and Digital Services Directive
On Friday, 26 November 2021, the second conference on the implementation of the Sale of Goods Directive and the Digital Content Directive in Austria and Germany, which dealt with the concrete implementation laws in both legal systems, took place. The online event was hosted by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Dean of Studies Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Koch, LL.M. (Michigan).
A detailed report on the Conference is available here.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Augenhofer, LL.M. (Yale) and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Koch, LL.M. (Michigan)
The Implementation of the Directive Concerning Contracts for the Sale of Goods and the Digital Content and Digital Services Directive
The conference „The Implementation of the Directive Concerning Contracts for the Sale of Goods and the Digital Content and Digital Services Directive” took place on 27 November 2020 under the direction of Professor Susanne Augenhofer and Professor Bernhard Koch. At the same time, the conference served as a kick-off event for the relaunch of the Austrian Hub of the European Law Institute (ELI). The conference report can be found here.
