The Centre for Private International Law at the University of Aberdeen is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Michiel Poesen and Dr Patricia Živković as the new Co-Convenors of the Conflict of Laws Section by the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS). Following a successful application, Dr Poesen and Dr Živković have been chosen to lead the section for a term of three years.
As highly motivated and experienced legal professionals and academics, Dr Poesen and Dr Živković are excited to take on the role of Co-Convenors of the Conflict of Laws section at the SLS. Both are registered members of the SLS and have actively participated in multiple Annual Conferences in the past, contributing to scholarly discussions and knowledge exchange. Their combined extensive experience in private international law makes them believe they can make a valuable contribution to the work of the Section, building on the achievements of the previous convenors Dr Lauren Clayton-Helm (Northumbria School of Law) and Dr Bobby Lindsay (University of Glasgow School of Law).
Dr Poesen's teaching and research interests are in civil and commercial private international law, with a focus on EU and international harmonisation in the field. His research has been published in reputable journals such as the Common Market Law Review, Journal for Private International Law, Yearbook of Private International Law, and Uniform Law Review. His work was also cited in AG Szpunar's Opinion in Case C-265/21.
Dr Živković's teaching and research interests lie in international commercial dispute resolution, with a specific focus on the choice of law and enforcement of arbitral awards. She is currently working on a monograph on Costs in International Commercial Arbitration (Elgar) and co-editing a book, From Theory to Practice in Private International Law: Gedächtnisschrift for Professor Jonathan Fitchen (Hart).
Beyond their teaching and research pursuits, Dr Poesen and Dr Živković are heavily involved in different leadership roles within the Centre for Private International Law at the University of Aberdeen. Dr Živković is the Centre's Associate Director, while Dr Poesen serves as the Editor of the Centre's Working Paper Series.
Dr Poesen and Dr Živković are filled with enthusiasm about the opportunity and have shared their plans with us:
“As Co-Convenors of the Conflict of Laws Section, we will bring to the role our passion for the subject matter, as well as the organizational and leadership skills necessary to manage the Section effectively. We will work vigorously to promote the Section's objectives, including the promotion of research and scholarship, the dissemination of knowledge, and the development of policy proposals in the field. We are also committed to fostering collaboration and dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, and we believe the Section can play an important role in this regard.”
The Centre for Private International Law congratulates Dr Poesen and Dr Živković on their appointment as the Co-Convenors of the Conflict of Laws section and is looking forward to their leadership in advancing the scholarship and practice in this vital area of law.