Mathias Schmoeckel

Prof. Dr. Mathias Schmoeckel is a Professor of German and Rhenish Legal History at the University of Bonn, where he serves as Managing Director of both the Institute for German and Rhenish Legal History and Civil Law and the Rhenish Institute for Notarial Law. He previously held administrative leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science (2003-2004) and Vice Dean (2004-2005).

Education

• Studied art history and law at Bonn, Geneva, and Munich universities (1983-1989)
• First State Examination in Law (1989)
• Second State Examination in Law (1993)
• Doctorate from University of Munich (1993) on international law in the Third Reich
• Habilitation on evidence/criminal procedural law (1200-1800)

Research Focus

His research spans interdisciplinary legal history with emphasis on:

• Law-religion intersections: Canon law and Reformation impacts
• Historical jurisprudence: Evolution of evidence systems (6th-19th c.) and international law frameworks
• Modern legal developments: Civil law under National Socialism and inheritance law

Honors

• George Sarton Medal for outstanding contributions to legal history (Ghent University, 2019)

Professional Engagements

Key roles include:

• Liaison lecturer for Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (since 2002)
• Director of international doctoral program at Université Paris-Sud
• Board positions at Stephan Kuttner Institute and Althusius Society
• Co-editor of 8+ academic series including Revue historique de droit français

Administrative Leadership

Manages research operations at two institutes and previously hosted the 35th German Legal Historians' Day under dual presidential patronage.