Wolfgang Ernst, Regius Professor of Civil Law, and Birke Häcker, Professor of Comparative Law, deliver inaugural lectures
Wolfgang Ernst, Regius Professor of Civil Law, and Birke Häcker, Professor of Comparative Law, delivered their inaugural lectures at the Divinity School on 15 February.
Professor Wolfgang Ernst's lecture on 'Statutory Interpretation in Roman Law' discussed methods of statutory interpretation evolve over time which mirror the contemporaneous constitutional framework. Republican lawyers overcame the exclusively literal application of Roman statutes, bringing the concept of meaning into play. Limits of interpretation were tested. Justinian’s law centralised interpretation, establishing an ‘acte clair’ doctrine and insisting on an ‘authentic’ interpretation by the Emperor. Professor Birke Häcker lectured on 'English Law in the 21st Century: A Tale of Two Traditions'. Historically, the English common law stands apart from Continental civilian jurisdictions, and it is the ‘parent’ legal order of common law systems throughout the world. Yet the past half century has witnessed profound changes in the relationship of English law with its European neighbours on the one hand and its ‘progeny’ systems on the other, such that its role now needs to be redefined. To this process of adaptation and transformation, comparative law can make a contribution.
It is a tradition of the University that a new Professor delivers an inaugural lecture to introduce themselves and their work to the academic community.
