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Former Bucerius Law School President to Speak at Harvard

Doris König, Justice of the Second Senate of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) and former Bucerius Law School President, will discuss the challenges the country’s highest court navigates within the European Union’s legal landscape. In its role as the “guardian of the constitution” and interpreter of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), the court has been balancing its responsibilities to Germany’s citizens with the European Union’s mission to protect fundamental and human rights across Europe. As the FCC addresses challenges to its jurisdiction, it has needed to reach compromises with or, at times, waived its rights to legal entities such as the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxemburg and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strassburg. In highlighting examples, König will address key questions: What does being part of a jurisdictional triangle mean for the competences of national constitutional courts in Europe? Will they lose their important role in the protection of fundamental rights?

Prof. Dr Doris König Justice of the Second Senate, Federal Constitutional Court of Germany

Chaired by Mark Tushnet William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

Sponsors: Harvard European Law Association; CES Special Events; EU Law and Government Study Group

This event is made possible by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellowship.

Learn more.