Legal Complexity and Justice

Considering the intricate economic and political landscapes with conflicting interests, we investigate a third line of inquiry that centres on mediating human relations. While legal mechanisms are commonly used for conflict resolution, the increasing complexity of contemporary situations challenges existing legal frameworks both within nations and on the global stage. These challenges involve multiple legal orders, necessitating consideration of various binding legal instruments and an in-depth understanding of socio-legal realities. Traditional legal training may not adequately prepare lawyers to navigate the complexities of global multiplicity and its situational manifestations. To address these issues effectively, we need a contextual approach, one that treats empirical complexity not just as an ancillary issue but rather as the basis for finding a legal solution and developing a better understanding of how the law operates in practice.

This thematic research group operates at the intersection of anthropology and law. By studying law in context, researchers in this field take multiplicity seriously, examining how people deal with complexity and arbitrate conflicts. Simultaneously, they recognize law as a critical institution, providing powerful instruments to address significant concerns and establish normative frameworks. The group brings together anthropology and law students, offering a unique opportunity for the next generation of scholars to contemplate the pursuit of justice in specific situations and communicate their findings to academic, legal, and policy-oriented audiences. Potential research areas include the irreversible deterioration of the environment, the impacts of cross-border mobility on communities, social security vulnerabilities, competition for scarce resources, and the digitalization of legal thinking (AI and the law). Addressing these issues requires considering multiple perspectives and mediating between different norms and interests, acknowledging that the law alone, especially through a doctrinal legal approach, may have limitations in effectively addressing these complex challenges.