CfP: The Mixed Courts of Egypt, 1876–1949
Submissions are now open for a workshop on the Mixed Courts of Egypt, to be held on 23–24 February 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory. Organized by Dr Michel Erpelding and Aya Bejermi, the event invites reflection on an institution that stood at the crossroads of empire, international law, and everyday justice.
Established through treaties between Egypt and 14 Western powers, the Mixed Courts operated for over seven decades with foreign judges and French-inspired legal codes. While rooted in an unequal world order, they also became spaces of legal negotiation - used by Egyptians and foreigners alike to assert rights and resist authority. Their legacy stretches from Cairo to Strasbourg, and still prompts fresh questions today.
Researchers in law, history, or related fields are invited to submit abstracts (max. 500 words, in English, French, or Arabic) by 1 July 2025 to erpelding@lhlt.mpg.de. Financial support is available.