ACADEMIC CAREER

• Since 2/2018: Research Coordinator, Research and Knowledge Transfer Hub for Rule of Law Promotion (RSF Hub), Free University Berlin and German Federal Foreign Office, Berlin
• 1/2013-12/2017: Executive Director and Co-founder, Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law, Heidelberg
• 7/2013-7/2016: Pro bono Executive Director and Co-founder, Hamida Barmaki Organization for the Rule of Law, Kabul
• 1/2009-12/2012: Scientific Advisor and Project Coordinator (MENA und Central Asia), Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg
• 2/2006-12/2008: Scientific Advisor and Project Coordinator, Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg
• 05/2000-04/2003: Research Associate, Max Planck Institute for European Legal History, Frankfurt a.M.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2005: PhD in Law (Dr. iur.), Goethe University Frankfurt
• 2005: Second State Examination in Law, Kammergericht (Higher Regional Court), Berlin
• 2000: First State Examination in Law, Humboldt University Berlin

MEMBERSHIPS

• German Society of International Law (DVIR)
• Association for Arabic and Islamic Law (GAIR)
• African Law Association (GAfrR)
• Hague Rule of Law Network (HRoLN)
• International Network to Promote the Rule of Law (INPROL)

PRESENTATIONS

• "Power-sharing and Self-governing Models", seminar of the Berghof Foundation on Resistance and Liberation Movements, Berlin, 30-31 October 2019 (together with Prof Dr Rainer Grote)
• "Legal Research in Peacebuilding and Development", Afghan Legal Studies Conference 2019, Kabul, 8-13 June 2013 (also co-organiser)
• "Effects of Rule of Law Interventions", annual conference of the Law and Development Research Network (LDRN), Berlin, 25-27 September 2019 (introduction and moderation of the panel)
• "Conflict Mediation & Constitution Making: A Compley Relationship", Folke Bernadotte Academy, Jerusalem, 29-30 April 2019
• "Regional Cultures of Crisis Management", Workshop "Cultures in Crisis" of the HSFK, Frankfurt am Main, 8-9 November 2018
• "The Role of Informal Justice Systems in Fragile Contexts", World Bank Law, Justice & Development Week, Washington D.C. (Panel of the GIZ), 5-6 November 2018
• "Practicioner perspective on Afghanistan", Roundtable "Towards sustainable peace: The nexus of peacemaking and constitution-making", Berghof Foundation & Mediation Support Unit (MSU) of the UN, New York, 21-22 May 2018
• "Customary Justice as Restorative Justice", Conference "Restorative Justice as a Bridge between Silk Road Civilizations" of the Tarbiat Modares Universtiy, Tehran, 3-4 May 2018
• "Human Dignity and karamah: A Common Basis of Human Rights?", Conference, "Theoretical Foundations of the Rule of Law", Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 25-26 February 2018
• “Rechtsstaatlichkeitsförderung als Instrument der Krisenprävention”, XXXI. Afghanistan Conference, "On the Path to a New Afghanistan-Policy, Realities – Responsibilities – Strategies", Evangelische Akademie Villigst, 25 November 2017
• “Aksakal Courts: A Means to Improve Access to Justice?”, Seminar on Access to Justice, Osh (Kyrgyzstan), 10 November 2016
• “Militaries as Actors in Constitutional Change Processes", Conference, "Constitutionalism under Extreme Conditions, Minerva Center for the Rule of Law under Extreme Conditions", Haifa, 19 July 2016
• “Comparative Case Studies of Equality Bodies: What Lessons Learnt for Ukraine?”,Office of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament, Kiev, 27 April 2016
• "Arab Militaries during and after the Uprising", Dialogues 2016 Series, Agha Khan University, London, 21 January 2015
• "Constitutionalism in Islamic Countries. Historical Developments and Current Challenges", Seminar Prof Dr Daniel König, Ruprechts-Karl-Universität, Heidelberg, 15 January 2015
• "Rechtsstaatsförderung als Instrument der Krisenprävention und Stabilisierung: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen", Seminar Prof Dr Sebastian Harnisch, Ruprechts-Karl-Universität, Heidelberg, 12 January 2016
• "Transitional Justice in Germany, 1945–2015", Conference, "Disasters of Violence, War and Extremism", Forschungszentrum Historische Geisteswissenschaften, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, 4 July 2015
• "Kinderrechte in Afghanistan zwischen staatlicher Garantie und gesellschaftlicher Realität", Symposium, "Hamida Barmaki: A Life for the Rights of Women and Children in Afghanistan", University, ETC, Graz, 12 May 2015
• "Colonial Law in the 21st Century – The Framework for Dispute Resolution in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)", REMEP Research School, Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law, Freiburg, 29 April 2015
• "Capacity Development in International Rule of Law Assistance", Trilateral Dialogue on Rule of Law Assistance in Peace Operations: EU OSCE and UN Experiences, Center for International Peace Operations / ZIF, Berlin, 11 November 2014
• "Country Example: Pakistan". International Conference, "Informal Justice as Restorative Justice", Max Planck Foundation und Hamida Barmaki Organization, Kabul, 24 June 2014
• "New Constitutional Courts in the MENA Region: Towards the Protection of Constitutionalism and Human Rights?", Turan Günes Annual Conferences on Constitutional Law, Koç University Law School, Istanbul, 31 October 2013
• "Verfassungsberatung: Erfahrungen nach dem 'Arabischen Frühling'", International Conference, "Demokratie- und Rechtsstaatsförderung durch die IRZ - 20 Jahre internationale rechtliche Zusammenarbeit", Berlin, 25 October 2012
• "Verfassungsberatung für den Übergangsrat in Libyen", Senior Course on Security Policy, Federal College for Security Studies, Berlin, 9 May 2012
• "Rechtsstaatsaufbau durch Staats- und Verwaltungsrechtsreformen", Conference on Law and Development, Gießen, 23 September 2011
• "ISAF takes command: The Militarization of Justice Reform in Afghanistan", Heidelberg, 11 May 2010
• "Civil-Military Cooperation in Building the Rule of Law", Kolloquium "The Dynamics of the Rule of Law", organized by The Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law (HIIL), Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) and Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, 27 November 2009
• "Modern Approaches to Legal Education", MPIL Conference on the Rule of Law in Iraq, Erbil (Irak), 22 September 2009
• "Grundrechtsdogmatik vs. Scharia? Deutsche Beiträge zu Verfassungsentwicklungen in der Islamischen Welt", Scientific Colloquium, "Internationale Rezeption deutscher Verfassungsprinzipien in der Wissenschaft und Praxis" of the IMPRS for Comparative Legal History, Heidelberg, 12 June 2009
• "Limits to CIMIC in Building the Rule of Law: Discrepancies between Military and Civilian Concepts of Law", 4th meeting of the Hague Rule of Law Network (HRoLN): Civil-Military Cooperation in Building the Rule of Law, organized by The Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law (HIIL) in collaboration with Utrecht University, Utrecht, 24 April 2009
• "Rechtspluralismus im islamischen Kontext", Conference, "Normative Pluralitäten ordnen", Collaborative Research Centre 700 "Governance in Räumen begrenzter Staatlichkeit", Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung WZB, Berlin, 11 January 2008
• "Disputes between Government and Parliament, or Members of Parliament", Seminar on Potential Disputes before the Sudanese Constitutional Court in Sudan, Heidelberg, 28 Janaury 2007
• "Urban Catastrophes: Patterns of Perception and Reaction". EABH Conference: "Risk and Disaster: A Historical Approach", Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Zürich, 14 December 2006
• "Von San Francisco bis Messina: Reaktionen auf die Stadtkatastrophen der Jahre 1906-1908". Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Zürich, 09 October 2006
• "Brücken über den cultural lag: Das selbstgeschaffene Recht der internationalen Versicherungswirtschaft um 1900". Colloquium on private insurance law by Prof Chr. Armbrüster, Freie Universität Berlin, 17 July 2006
• "Samoqalaqo kodexi. Die Quellen des postsowjetischen Zivilrechts von Georgien" with Dr. Shalva Papuashvili, "Rechtstransfer in der Geschichte". European Forum of Young Legal Historians, Luzern, 28 May 2005
• "Harmonisierung von Versicherungsrecht in Europa vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg". Conference, "Das neue Europa und seine Traditionen. Ius privatum, ius canonicum, ius publicum", European Forum of Young Legal Historians, Budapest, 22 May 2003
• "Standards, Norms, and the Law: The Impact of Industrial Revolution" (with M. Seckelmann), European University Institute, Badia Fiesolana (Italy), 3 June 2002
• "Transnationales Risikomanagement avant la lettre - Reaktionen der Versicherungswirtschaft auf die Katastrophe von San Francisco (1906)". Gesellschaft für Unternehmensgeschichte / AK Versicherungsgeschichte, Berlin, 4 April 2003

 

LECTURES

• "Grundlagen der Rechtsstaatsförderung", Interdepartmental Junior Staff Seminar on Engagement in Fragile States, 20 November 2019
• "Ressortprinzip und ressortgemeinsames Handeln: Problemanalyse und Positivbeispiel", Interdepartmental Junior Staff Seminar on Engagement in Fragile States, 16 October 2019 (with Gregor Walter-Drop)
• "Recht ohne Staat", Lecture Series: Governance in Areas of Limited Statehood (Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse), Freie Universität Berlin, 26 June 2018
• "Access to Justice through Customary Institutions? Translating Theory into Practice", bologna.lab „Law, Society and Development“ (Siddharth de Souza and Thomas Dollmaier), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13 May 2018
• "Rechtsprobleme der Rechtsstaatsförderung: Seminar zum Recht der projektbasierten Außen‐ und Entwicklungspolitik" (with Dr. Matthias Kötter), Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, summer semester 2018 
• "Rechtsstaatsförderung in der Praxis", Seminar of Dr Matthias Kötter, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, 6 February 2018
• "Introduction to Fair Trial Principles for Law Officers", Seminar, Union Attorney General’s Office, Naypyitaw (Myanmar), 18-22 November 2013 
• "Afghan Election Law", Seminar for the Afghan Electoral Commission, Human Rights Commission and NGOs (organised by the Humboldt Viadrina School of Governance) Dushanbe (Tajikistan), 14-15 January 2012
• "Experiences from Constitution Drafting and Civil Agreement Processes", Seminar with Israeli civil rights activists, Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, Berlin, 4-5 November 2009
• "Principles of Federalism", Seminar for the Independent Federal Constitutional Commission and the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee of Somalia, Kampala, 29 June - 10 July 2008
• "Constitutionalism and the Judiciary", Seminar for members of the Sudanese Constitutional Court and Southern Sudanese Supreme Court, Khartoum, 26 November - 7 December 2006

BOOKS

• Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, to be published in 10/2021 (ed., with M. Kötter/J. Deppe/T. Schneider/J. Trappe)
• Majallah-ʾi muṭāliʿāt-i ḥuqūqī Afghānistān | Journal of Afghan Legal Studies, Nashr-e Vazha Publishers, Kabul seit 2017 (ed., with M. H. Kamali/L. Saeed)
• Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law, Vol. 18 (2014) – 20 (2016) (ed., with F. Lachenmann/R. Wolfrum)
• Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Islam after the Arab Spring, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2016 (ed., with R. Grote)
• Non-state Justice Institutions and the Law: Decision-making at the Interface of Tradition, Religion and the State, Palgrave Macmillan, London 2015 (ed., with M. Kötter/G. Folke Schupper/R. Wolfrum)
• Sâlnâmah Moṭâlʿât Ḥoqvqy Afġânestân (i.e. Yearbook of Afghan Legal Studies in Dari), Nashr-e Vazha Publishers, Kabul 2015 (ed., with S. H. Zia)
• Constitutionalism in Islamic Countries: Between Upheaval and Continuity, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2012 (ed., with R. Grote)
• From Industrial to Legal Standardisation, 1871-1914: Transnational Insurance Law and the Great San Francisco Earthquake. Brill, Leiden 2011 (English translation of the PhD thesis)
• Rechtsbildung im wirtschaftlichen 'Weltverkehr'. Das Erdbeben von San Francisco und die internationale Standardisierung von Vertragsbedingungen (1871-1914), Vittorio Klostermann, Frankfurt a.M. 2006 (PhD thesis)

 

ARTICLES IN JOURNALS AND BOOK CHAPTERS

• Historisches Erbe: Recht als Instrument der Modernisierung und Unterdrückung (1880-1945). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Rechtsstaatsaufbau als Mittel zur Integration der neuen Bundesländer (with U. Hagenloch). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Koordinierung des Justizaufbaus in Afghanistan (2002-2014) (with W. Plesmann). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Transformationshilfen nach dem Arabischen Frühling (2011-2012) (with R. Grote). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Förderung lokaler Nichtregierungsorganisationen. In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Rechtsstaatsdialoge und andere Dialoge (with B. Lindner and A. K. Zimmermann). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Friedensmediation (with L. Vimalarajah and J. von Dobeneck). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (ed. M. Kötter et al.), to be published in 10/2021
• Complementarity and Conflict: State, Islamic, and Customary Justice in Afghanistan. In: Majallah-ʾi muṭāliʿāt-i ḥuqūqī Afghānistān | Journal of Afghan Legal Studies 2, 2017
• Key Legal and Political Developments at the United Nations in 2016 (with M. Spohr). In: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 20, 2017, 461-533
• Delays of Elections and the Constitutional Legitimacy of the Wolesi Jirga. In: Majallah-ʾi muṭāliʿāt-i ḥuqūqī Afghānistān | Journal of Afghan Legal Studies 1, 2016, 128-140
• From Gentlemen’s Agreement to Judicial Instrument: The History of Contract Practice and Conflict Resolution in Reinsurance. In: G. Jones/N. Viggo-Haueter (eds.), Managing Risk in Reinsurance. From City Fires to Global Warming, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2016, 182-205
• Constitutional Debates in the Arab Spring (with R. Grote). In: Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Islam after the Arab Spring, ed. with R. Grote, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2016, 9-26
• State Control over the Military or Military Control over the State? A Comparison of Selected Arab Constitutions. In: Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Islam after the Arab Spring, ed. with R. Grote, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2016, 283-322
• The Constitutional Legacy of the Arab Spring (with R. Grote). In: Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Islam after the Arab Spring, ed. with R. Grote, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2016, 907-917
• Key Legal and Political Developments at the United Nations in 2015 (with M. Spohr). In: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 19, 2016, 507-580
• Key Legal and Political Developments at the United Nations in 2014 (with M. Spohr, the lead author). In: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 18, 2015, 603-666
• Pakistan: Jirgas Dispensing Justice without State Control (with N. A. Shinwari). In: Non-state Justice Institutions and the Law: Decision-making at the Interface of Tradition, Religion and the State, M. Kötter et al. (eds.), 2015
• Rechtsstaatsförderung durch Verfassungs- und Verwaltungsrechtsreformen. In: Recht und Entwicklung, P. Dann/S. Kadelbach/M. Kaltenborn (eds.), Nomos, Baden-Baden 2014, 499-526
• Civil-Military Cooperation in Building the Rule of Law. In: Rule of Law Dynamics - In an Era of International and Transnational Governance, A. Nollkaemper/R. Peerenboom/M. Zürn (eds.), Cambridge UP, Cambridge 2014, 206-232. Persian Translation: Hamkari-e madani-nezami baraye barqarari-e hakemiat-e qanun. In: Salnamah Motala‘at Hoqooqi Afghanistan (Yearbook of Afghan Legal Studies) 1, 536-579 (2015 / A.P. 1394)
• The Separation of Powers: Historical and Comparative Perspectives. In: Constitutionalism in Islamic Countries: Between Upheaval and Continuity, ed. with R. Grote, Oxford University Press, Oxford / New York 2012, 321-372
• Kashmir. In: Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, R. Wolfrum (ed.), Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011. Website MPEPIL
• Human Rights Standards in Afghan Courtrooms: The Theory and Reality of the Right to a Fair Trial. In: Islam und Menschenrechte, H. Elliesie (ed.), Peter Lang Verlag, Frankfurt a. M. 2010, 329-359
• Kollisionen zwischen Sharī'a, Gesetz und Stammestradition in Afghanistan. In: Normative Pluralität Ordnen, M. Kötter/G. F. Schuppert (eds.), Nomos, Baden-Baden 2009, 257-301
• Book Review: D. Simon (ed.), 50 Key Thinkers on Development (Routledge, 2006). In: Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America (Verfassung und Recht in Übersee) 3, 2008, 425-429
• Katastrophe als Katalysator: Der Untergang von San Francisco als Impuls für die Entstehung einer Weltgesellschaft. In: Weltereignisse. Theoretische und empirische Perspektiven, R. Unkelbach/T. Werron/S. Nacke (eds.), VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2008, 203-22. 
• Crossing Academic Cultures: Association of Young Legal Historians Founded in Seville. In: H-Law of H-Net (Humanities and Social Sciences Online) 2007
• Little Steps Forward. Some Remarks on the Rome Conference on the Rule of Law in Afghanistan. In: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law 11, 2007, 307-312
• Erinnern und Vergessen / Remembering and Forgetting, Proceedings of the European Forum of Young Legal Historians 2006 (Frankfurt a. M.) (with O. Brupbacher et al.). Jahrbuch Junge Rechtsgeschichte Bd. 2 / Yearbook of Young Legal History, Vol. 2. Martin Meidenbauer Verlag, München 2007, 546
• The Roots of the 'New Law Merchant'. In: Internationalisation and Globalisation of the Insurance Industry in the 19th and 20th Centuries, P. Borscheid/R. Pearson (eds.), Zürich 2007, 41-48
• Das Recht auf ein faires Verfahren - Ausbildung von Richtern und Staatsanwälten in Afghanistan (with H. Hestermeyer/R. Moschtaghi). In: Jahresbericht / Annual Report 2006 (DVD Jahrbuch 2006/2007 Tätigkeitsbericht Publikationen 2006), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, München 2007, 605-609
• The roots of the 'New Law Merchant': How the international standardization of contracts and clauses changed business law. In: Forum Historiae Iuris, 2006
• Samoqalaqo kodexi. Die Quellen des postsowjetischen Zivilrechts von Georgien (with Dr. S. Papuashvili). In: Rechtstransfer in der Geschichte. Jahrbuch Junge Rechtsgeschichte Bd. 1/ Yearbook of Young Legal History, Vol. 1, V. Duss et al. (eds.), München 2006, 204-218
• Risiko oder Gefahr? Die Bedeutung der Wahrnehmung von Katastrophen für ihre wirtschaftliche und rechtliche Bewältigung. In: Kritische Vierteljahresschrift für Gesetzgebung und Rechtswissenschaft 4, 2005, 303-317
• Phederatsiuli germaniis iustitsiaschi kofili germaniis demokratiuli respublikis (gdr) mosamartleta uphlebamosilebis schenartschuneba (essay about the continued employment of judges after political system changes). In: Tavisuphleba (Tbilisi/Georgia) 12/36, 2004, 4-10
• Standards, Norms, and the Law: The Impact of Industrial Revolution. In: Normalising Diversity. EUI working-paper HEC No. 2003/5, with M. Seckelmann/M. Vec/ P. Becker (eds.), Badia Fiesolana, 2004, 23-44

• Historisches Erbe: Recht als Instrument der Modernisierung und Unterdrückung (1880-1945). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer(Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Rechtsstaatsaufbau als Mittel zur Integration der neuen Bundesländer (mit U. Hagenloch). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Koordinierung des Justizaufbaus in Afghanistan (2002-2014) (mit W. Plesmann). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Transformationshilfen nach dem Arabischen Frühling (2011-2012) (mit R. Grote). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Förderung lokaler Nichtregierungsorganisationen. In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Rechtsstaatsdialoge und andere Dialoge (mit B. Lindner und A. K. Zimmermann). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021

• Friedensmediation (mit L. Vimalarajah, J. von Dobeneck). In: Rechtsstaatsförderung. Handbuch für Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer (Hrsg. M. Kötter et al.), erscheint 10/2021