معرفی
Benedikt Schmitz is an Assistant Professor of Private International Law and Comparative Contract Law at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Law, within the Department of Private International Law. He holds positions on the Faculty Board and the Advisory Committee for Revenues and Expenditures at the Faculty of Law. Born in Bonn (Germany) and raised in Berlin, he has resided in the Netherlands since 2015.
Education: He earned an LL.B. in European Law from Maastricht University, followed by two LL.M. degrees in International Commercial Law and International Business Law, both cum laude, from the University of Groningen.
Research Interests: Schmitz focuses on private international law, particularly the consumer conflict rule under the Rome I Regulation, comparative contract law between Dutch and German legal systems, and harmonization of legal principles. His work emphasizes balancing party autonomy with public interests in consumer protection and efficiency in transnational litigation. He also explores jurisdictional and legislative aspects of cross-border legal disputes.
Grants & Activities: He co-led a consultancy project on the EU Omnibus Directive implementation (2022–2023). His teaching includes courses like Contract and Tort Law, Private International Business Law, and supervision of bachelor/master theses. He is an active member of the European Association of Private International Law and Society of Legal Scholars.
Other Contributions: Schmitz founded and hosts the podcast Maastricht Law Talk, and volunteers with Humanitas. His research group, 'User-friendly Private Law,' addresses public interests in private legal relationships.
