The 2011 session of the Summer School on Continental Law was held between 4 and 22 July at the University of Paris II Panthéon Assas.

Some numbers:

29 countries were represented :

120 participants divided into two study courses: French speakers (58  participants) and English speakers (62  participants),

The courses

54 hours of classes were offered from the following curriculum:

• Introduction to Romanist Law (7.5 hours) by Professor Xavier Blanc-Jouvan, France

• International and European Law of Contracts (7.5 hours) by Professor Bénédicte Fauvarque-Cosson, France
• Bioethics and Family Law (9 hours), by Professor Frédérik Swennen (English language section), and Professor Yves-Henri Leleu (French-language section), Belgium

• Family and Individual Rights (10 hours) by Professor Benoît Moore, Québec

• International Dispute Resolution (10 hours) by Professor Pierre Tercier, Switzerland

• Approach to the law of damages in Europe (10 hours) by Professor Anna de Vita, Italy, (English language  section) and Professor Pedro Robles, Spain (French language   section )

The general assessment of the courses was 73% positive among the participants; whereas 22% felt that they were too demanding.

A final examination for the session was required for all participants who are students and was optional for professionals. Each candidate selected three subjects form among six options proposed by the professors. Passing the examination required attaining an average for the three subjects that was at least equal to 10. Honors were awarded for outstanding performance on the exam according to the standard measure.

A total of 111 participants successfully passed the examination, 50 of the French-language and 61 of the  English language participants. The assessments were performed by each of the professors teaching a course.

The conferences

Legal professionals such as Notaries, Attorneys, Huissiers de Justice, Administrateur and Mandataire judiciaire (court and bailiffs and administrators)   made presentations on their respective professions.

These professional conferences were favorably received, particularly those of the Attorneys and Notaries. Although the remaining profession s(court bailiffs and administrators) were of some  interest to the audience, they were considered to be rather specific and difficult to understand.

Topical conferences on the legal certainty index, the transition to democracy in Tunisia, the organization of the OHADA supplemented the program.

Cultural visits

As in previous years, visits to French institutions were made to the National Assembly, the Constitutional Council, the Council of State, the Court of Cassation and the Senate.  Included in the site visits was an overview of the general role of the organization and the operating mode of the institution.

All participants enjoy these visits and nearly 100% rated them as useful and important. Among the suggestions for future visits, the Tax Court, the Ministry of Justice, a courtroom, and attending a trial are regularly proposed.  

Meeting with the International Science Council and the management of the  Fondation

A reception was organized with the Appartement Décanal at the University of Paris II with the members of the International Science Council of the Fondation who were assembled in held in Paris on July 6 and 7 and the  Fondation’s Management. The course participants reported that they had the opportunity for meaningful discussions with the members of the Science Council and the  Fondation’s Management.

Examination results

Program and conditions of the Summer University 2011