On 1 September 2026, the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ), represented by its First Vice-President Jos Uitdehaag, participated in Paris in a landmark conference celebrating both the 100th anniversary of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and the 15th anniversary of the European Law Institute (ELI).
As part of its centenary celebrations, UNIDROIT is organising a series of regional conferences around the world to reflect on the role of international legal harmonisation and the continuing contribution of its instruments to the development of private law, both regionally and globally. The UNIDROIT Centenary Regional Conference for Europe was held in Paris on 1 September.
The conference brought together academics, judges, practitioners, policymakers, representatives of international organisations, and other public and private stakeholders. Discussions focused on the relevance and implementation of UNIDROIT’s work, as well as its future development in light of Europe’s legal traditions and priorities.
A Double Anniversary in Paris
The European event was organised in partnership with the European Law Institute (ELI) as part of the ELI 2026 Annual Conference. It also marked the 15th anniversary of the ELI and celebrated the longstanding cooperation between the two institutions.
The conference was opened by Stéphane Braconnier, President of Paris-Panthéon-Assas University; François Molinié, President of the French Society of Comparative Law (Société de législation comparée); Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell, President of the ELI and Professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; and Ignacio Tirado, Secretary-General of UNIDROIT.
Private Law Harmonisation Facing New Challenges
The various panels addressed several major issues shaping the future of legal harmonisation, including the interplay between global and regional harmonisation in private law, the role of soft law in the harmonisation of contract law, and the lessons learned from the past and perspectives for the future.
Particular attention was also given to emerging challenges related to new technologies and sustainability, which are rapidly transforming both the needs and methods of legal harmonisation.
Finally, discussions addressed UNIDROIT’s initiatives in the field of civil procedure, a subject of particular relevance to the UIHJ and to the judicial officer profession worldwide.
Through its participation in this anniversary conference, the UIHJ continues its engagement in international initiatives aimed at promoting legal harmonisation and contributing to the development of modern, efficient civil justice capable of responding to technological and societal transformations.
