The Lecture was opened by ELI President, Prof Dr Pascal Pichonnaz, who passed the floor on to Prof Dr Henrik Lando, son of Ole Lando. Following a poignant reflection of his father and of the Ole Lando Memorial Lecture Series, the Sixth Ole Lando lecturer, Prof Dr Zoé Jacquemin, was introduced by Prof Dr Anna Veneziano, the fifth lecturer.
In her address, Zoé Jacquemin questioned the traditional focus on national legal systems as the primary subject of legal study. Drawing from Lando’s ideals, Zoé Jacquemin suggested reversing the current paradigm: instead of viewing comparative and European law as specialised fields, these could become the foundation of legal education, while national laws would be studied as specific branches. Reflecting on Lando’s legacy, Zoé Jacquemin noted that ‘Lando strongly believed that European citizens should receive the same justice in every country’, and argued that a European-centered legal education could help fulfill this ideal, fostering a generation of lawyers who ‘think European’.
To illustrate this concept, Zoé Jacquemin highlighted Lando’s Principles of European Contract Law (PECL), which provide a common foundation for contract law across European jurisdictions while respecting the unique principles of each system. By teaching law based on these Principles, students would encounter a broader range of legal approaches, allowing them to see European law as a cohesive yet pluralistic framework. According to her, the ‘Lando Principles’ are ‘a tool for teaching private law from a European perspective’, one that brings to light both shared values and differing methods among jurisdictions. Such an approach, Zoé Jacquemin argued, would allow students to ‘learn that there are general principles on which we all agree’, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnections across European legal systems.
Zoé Jacquemin also discussed the practical advantages of this paradigm shift, noting that studying law with a European and comparative focus first would sharpen students' understanding of their own legal systems. By exposing students early on to other legal frameworks, Zoé Jacquemin argued, future lawyers could develop a nuanced understanding of national law within the broader European context, a skill that has increasing relevance in today’s interconnected world.
As artificial intelligence and digital tools continue to transform the legal profession, this shift could equip students with the critical reasoning skills necessary to navigate both digital advancements and cross-border legal complexities.
The event included a special video tribute to Ole Lando, commemorating his legacy and his enduring vision of a Europe where legal systems work together in mutual respect and shared purpose.
About the Ole Lando Memorial Lecture Series
The Ole Lando Memorial Lecture series, inaugurated in 2019, honors the profound contributions of Ole Lando (1922–2019), a founding member of ELI and a pivotal figure in private international law. Lando’s Principles of European Contract Law have deeply influenced both EU and national contract laws, and his vision for a cohesive European legal framework continues to inspire efforts toward greater unity in European law.
Previous Ole Lando Memorial Lectures:
- 2023 Ole Lando Memorial Lecture
- 2022 Ole Lando Memorial Lecture
- 2021 Ole Lando Memorial Lecture
- 2020 Ole Lando Memorial Lecture
- 2019 Ole Lando Memorial Lecture
