"The most important factor is to get intercultural knowledge on a frequent base."

12.06.2023.

Martin Ahrens is an internationally recognized practitioner of civil law and civil procedure law. Before becoming a professor in Göttingen, he gained significant legal practice, which partly determined the focus of his academic research. He is a key figure in the extensive educational and research cooperation between ELTE Faculty of Law and the University of Göttingen, the organizer of a series of conferences, and an active supporter of exchange seminars and joint publications. We talked to the professor on the occasion of his inauguration as an honorary doctor of Eötvös Loránd University.

How has your experience as a lawyer determined the focus of your academic research? Which are the most important and why?

For being a teacher of law of civil procedure, it is very helpful to have practical experiences. The most important thing is to understand the tactics at a trial and to explain it.

How did you become interested in insolvency law and what are the challenges and problems for regulation in this area today?

The theme of my doctoral thesis was the breach of contract. Afterwards I worked about consumer credits. From there it was a short step to the insolvency law. At the moment, we have a proposal for a directive to harmonize the European insolvency law. There is an important discussion about the transformation of the national laws.

When did you become involved in the ELTE-Göttingen Deutsche Rechtsschule and why do you consider this initiative important? What is the benefit for law students who participate in the training and what does it give to the lecturers?

I started to teach at the ELTE-Göttingen Deutsche Rechtsschule around 15 years ago. I think it`s very helpful for every student to gather international experiences. For students from Hungary, it is very useful to have exercises in a foreign language and law. For me it`s the chance to get some knowledge about Hungary.

What are the most important experiences you have gained during the Budapest-Göttingen exchange seminar? Why do you consider this form of training important?

It is the chance for high-level students to discuss problems with students and teacher from another country. This is one of the best ways.

What are the main achievements of the cooperation between the University of Göttingen (GAU) and ELTE ÁJK and what is the reason for this fruitful cooperation?

The most important factor is to get intercultural knowledge on a frequent base. It mostly depends on the personal engagement of some teachers.

What was the experience of being awarded an honorary doctorate in Budapest and what was the most memorable moment of your stay here?

It was an outstanding situation. At the beginning of my career, I have never thought that it could happen. Most memorable was the atmosphere of the Pázmány-Day. To see, what honorable and great scientists got the award was very impressing.