In the winter semester 2026/27, I am offering a seminar: Freedoms of Communication, for majors 4, 7, 8 and 10, compulsory subject, LL.B. Digital Law as well as for other degree programmes.
In the summer semester 2026 I offer a seminar: Best interests of the child, for the focus areas 4, 7, 8 and 10, compulsory subject, LL.B. Digital Law as well as for other degree programmes.
Seminar in the winter semester 2026/27
Freedom of communication
for the legal specialisations European and International Law (SP 8); Law of the information society (SP 7), Law of social cohesion/social, health and migration law (SP 4 new/old), Family and law of succession (SP 10), compulsory subject, the LL.B. Digital Law (preparatory seminar only) and other degree programmes.
Freedom of communication, i.e. above all freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of the press and broadcasting. The BVerfG has described them as "absolutely constitutive of the free democratic basic order" (most recently BVerfG [Chamber], decision of 3 November 2025 - 1 BvR 259/24, para. 29,
https://www.bverfg.de/e/rk20251103_1bvr025924) (external link, opens in a new window). For the ECtHR, the press is a "public watchdog".
This raises many questions: Statements can offend. Where are the limits to freedom of expression? The formation of an informed opinion requires a reliable factual basis. How is the acquisition and procurement of information protected? Is there a right of access to information? How is it to be judged when state organs participate in the formation of opinion? The role of public broadcasters should also be considered in this context. Assemblies are often major events that require an elaborate infrastructure. In addition, they are often perceived as a threat to public safety.
The opposite pole to the freedoms of communication is the need to keep certain information secret and not to disclose it. As far as the protection of private information is concerned, this is also understood as a negative freedom of communication and is addressed not least by data protection. Corresponding conflicts between the need for information and the need for confidentiality arise in family law, for example when establishing paternity and adoption. In other areas, such as migration and health law, the state may want to access information that those affected do not wish to disclose.
The Basic Law and the ECHR provide answers to these questions that do not always coincide.
In international relations law, further questions arise: How is the universal, cross-border communications infrastructure organised and protected? Can information activities constitute unauthorised interference, what rules exist for state information gathering, including espionage, and how is communication between the embassy and the sending state protected?
Student research projects will deal with questions from the respective area of specialisation. In the preparatory seminar as well as in BA and MA programmes, I will suggest topics that fit the respective programme, specialisation or module and your progress in your studies. In the law degree programmes, individual topics can already be worked on following the beginners' exercise in public law.
All seminar papers must be written in German. Other seminar papers can also be written in English by prior arrangement.
In the law specialisation programme and in the LL.B., registration takes place exclusively via Flexnow! Interested students from other Bachelor's or Master's degree programmes and exchange students should contact me (opens your email program) as early as possible.
The seminar is expected to take place weekly on Tuesday evenings during the semester.