The University of Milan La Statale is set to expand its international academic offerings with the introduction of a new English-taught course, Human Rights and EU Private International Law, which will debut in the second semester of the current academic year. Hosted by the Faculty of Law, the course will be open to all enrolled students as well as visiting Erasmus students, reinforcing the University’s commitment to global engagement and multidisciplinary legal education. Classes are scheduled to begin during the week of 2 March 2026, with further updates to follow in the coming weeks.
The course, worth 6 ECTS and comprising 42 hours of teaching, will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the European Union system of private international law (PIL). Lectures will guide participants through the core mechanisms governing cross-border legal relations within the EU, including jurisdiction, applicable law, and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in both civil and family law matters. Particular attention will be paid to areas where EU legislation remains incomplete, such as personal status, marriage validity, and filiation.
A distinctive feature of the course is its strong human-rights component. Students will examine the international and European frameworks for the protection of fundamental rights, including the UN system, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This dual focus aims to highlight how fundamental rights interact with—and sometimes challenge—EU private international law.
Alongside lectures, interactive workshops will allow students to analyse leading cases and engage directly with complex issues such as access to justice, discrimination arising from the application of foreign law, and the human-rights implications of recognising or refusing cross-border judgments. Case studies will also explore the impact of PIL mechanisms on the protection of family life and personal status.
The new course promises to offer a timely and practice-oriented understanding of the evolving relationship between human rights and cross-border private law within the European Union. Further information, including the detailed schedule and course materials, will be announced shortly.