Two hundred and thirty civil law professors have signed the Hallesche Erklärung aus der Zivilrechtswissenschaft, warning against anti-freedom efforts designed to undermine the rule of law, independent research, and democratic institutions in Germany and Europe.
The Bottom Line
- Two hundred and thirty civil law professors signed the declaration as of October 2, 2026, originating from the Zivilrechtslehrervereinigung meeting in Halle.
- Signatories warn that anti-freedom movements aim to bypass legal constraints on state power and marginalize independent scientific research.
- The open letter emphasizes that the judiciary’s independence and the absolute binding of state authority to the law are non-negotiable for a democratic society.
Origins of the Hallesche Erklärung at the Halle Conference
The initiative took shape during the annual conference of the Zivilrechtslehrervereinigung held in Halle an der Saale from September 20 to September 22, 2026. While the statement is not an official resolution of the association itself, the ZLV provided the necessary platform for its launch. Academics from across Germany and beyond drafted the text to address mounting political pressures targeting legal and scientific independence.
Legal Tribune Online documented the full text of the declaration, which highlights human dignity, freedom, and equality before the law as the bedrock of a humane society. The document stresses that the quality of civil law depends on its defense against modern threats.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial Venue | Halle an der Saale |
| Conference Dates | September 20–22, 2026 |
| Signatory Count | 230 professors (as of October 2, 2026) |
| Core Focus | Rule of law and independence of legal research |
Scope of the Warning Against Anti-Freedom Agendas
The signatories explicitly define the dangers facing constitutional structures today. According to the text, anti-freedom movements seek to discredit independent institutions, obstruct academic research, and separate political discourse from factual and scientific foundations.
Furthermore, the declaration cautions that these agendas aim to exclude specific population groups and bypass the legal bounds of state authority. The objective, the professors argue, is to push through political power ambitions unchecked by constitutional limits.
The Mandate of Legal Scholarship in Constitutional Defense
The declaration asserts that recognizing and confronting these systemic threats is an intrinsic duty of legal science. Researchers must identify dangers early and counter them using academic methods, which requires absolute institutional independence in research and teaching.
Historical experience shows that legal scholarship fails when it unreflectively adapts to shifting political directives. True scholarly integrity relies on the critical, methodologically sound pursuit of truth regarding valid law and its proper development.
Ongoing Signature Collection and Participation
The Zivilrechtslehrervereinigung confirmed that the signature list remains open to civil law scholars who are not formal members of the ZLV. Interested academics can add their names by sending an email to [email protected], including their academic titles, full names, and institutional locations.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
