Summer School 2018

In August 2018, the Institute for Legal Informatics hosted its second international and interdisciplinary Summer School on IT Law and Legal Informatics. Over 30 participants from 15 countries (including India, Pakistan, Spain and Turkey) accepted the invitation. Despite visa and travel difficulties as well as professional commitments, 24 researchers and practitioners were able to attend – an impressive testament to the importance of the topic and the international reputation of the Institute for Legal Informatics, as Prof. Dr. Roland Michael Beckmann, Dean of the Faculty of Law, noted in his welcome address. Ammar Alkassar, the Saarland's representative for innovation and strategy, attended the summer school on behalf of the state government and emphasised in his keynote speech the importance of interdisciplinary and international integration in IT research, which has become a hallmark of the Saarland.

The diverse group of participants, consisting mainly of graduate scientists and practitioners, but also including some students, was treated to an extensive scientific programme. Two days were devoted to each of the topics of artificial intelligence, IT security, data protection and legal tech. In line with the interactive concept of the summer school, renowned professors first gave presentations on current developments in each thematic block, before participants who had applied for their own presentation slot were able to present their own research work and discuss it with the lecturers and other participants. This year's high-calibre lecturers from around the world included Professor Dominik Brodowski (Saarland University), Professor Erich Schweighofer (University of Vienna), Professor Tatsuhiko Inatani (Kyoto University) and Professor Raja Chatila (Sorbonne University).

The academic programme was accompanied by an extensive programme of social activities to give participants and lecturers the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange ideas. For example, there was an excursion to Strasbourg, where the European Parliament opened its doors to us. Participants were also able to broaden their gastronomic horizons during a wine tasting in the Palatinate. There was also an excursion to the ‘landmark’ of the Saarland, the Saar Loop. Particularly courageous participants were able to explore the ‘treetop path’ and thus gain a great overview of the region.

The programme concluded with the presentation of participation certificates and a farewell party.

The Summer School would like to thank SecUnity, a funding programme of the BMBF, the law firm DLA Piper and saaris e.V. for their financial support.

As in the previous year, all participants were able to broaden their personal horizons and gain insights into a dynamic field of law that will become increasingly relevant in the future. The second edition of the Summer School was also a complete success – we are already looking forward to the next reunion!