In his contribution to our blog Legal History Insights, Omer Aloni of Tel Aviv University explores the dynamic relationship between traditional and contemporary legal systems in Israel. His analysis, titled "Present Absentee: The Sulha as a Mechanism of Legal Pluralism in Israeli Law," delves into a pivotal Supreme Court case from the 1950s. This case highlights the Sulha, a customary Arab reconciliation process, as a cornerstone of legal pluralism. Aloni recounts how the Sulha was instrumental in resolving a manslaughter case, its emphasis on familial and communal harmony leading to a mitigated sentence and underscoring the integration of restorative justice within the legal framework.

The position of Managing Director at the Institute rotates among the three Directors every three years. As of 2025, Stefan Vogenauer has assumed this role, succeeding Marietta Auer at the start of the year. The Managing Director oversees the Institute’s day-to-day operations, particularly its administrative functions. In his introductory message, Vogenauer extends his gratitude to Marietta Auer for her exemplary leadership and shares his plans to further advance the Institute’s mission through strategic initiatives and continued dedication to outstanding research.

In her PhD Project Manuela Camargo de Assis investigates the often-overlooked role of architects in shaping international law. Traditionally, legal scholarship has focused on written texts and metaphorical references to architecture, but Camargo de Assis argues that architecture’s physical and visual dimensions can directly influence legal norms, authority, and power. Her work centers on a series of 20th- and 21st-century case studies of buildings designed to house international organizations. Drawing on legal history, architecture, and visual studies, this research highlights the interplay between the discursive and material facets of international law.