Ole Hansen

Ole Hansen is a Professor of Private Law at the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law, where he has been employed since 2010. He co-founded the Centre for Private Governance (CEPRI) in 2020 and previously co-founded the Centre for Enterprise Liability in 2008. His academic leadership includes serving as President of the European Society for Construction Law (2022-2023) and chairing the PhD Committee at the Faculty of Law since 2020. He also holds board positions as chair of the Danish Society for Construction Law and member of the Danish Climate and Energy Law Society.

Education:

• Dr.jur. (2008), University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law (Dissertation: "Det entrepriseretlige hjemmelsproblem")
• Master of Laws (1994), University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law

Hansen's research centers on private law with specialized focus on contract law, construction law, energy law, and digital construction law (BIM). His work examines how private actors undertake public tasks, with recent emphasis on decarbonization in transport infrastructure and sustainability requirements in commercial contracts. He has led major research initiatives including "Digital Construction Law" and "BIM International," funded by Realdania, the Danish Transport Authority, and industry partners, addressing legal frameworks for emerging technologies in construction.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward sustainable construction practices and digital transformation. Over 60% of his 2022-2024 outputs address decarbonization challenges in infrastructure contracts and BIM implementation, reflecting industry shifts toward environmental compliance and digital workflows. His scholarship consistently bridges theoretical legal concepts with practical construction industry applications, particularly in long-term contractual relationships and public procurement thresholds.

Professor Hansen chairs the Faculty of Law's PhD Committee and has secured substantial research funding including projects on digital construction law (2018-2022) and new contractual forms in construction (2009-2013), supported by Realdania and government authorities. His editorial leadership includes editing special issues of the Journal of Housing and Construction Law on BIM legal aspects.

He co-founded and actively directs the Centre for Private Governance (CEPRI), which investigates governance models where private entities perform public functions. His research teams collaborate internationally on construction law modernization, with recent work engaging the European Commission on transport infrastructure decarbonization standards.