Professor Cuniberti presented his current research on international commerce and his empirical findings on the courts most frequently chosen in international commerce cases and the (contractI) law applied. Cuniberti's most influential work in this field is his empirical study on "The International Market for Contracts: The Most Attractive Contract Laws", which stands out in particular due to its extent and methodical stringency. This research is currently extended to include the aspect of jurisdiction.

The latter is also of importance in view of the continuing competition for judicial services and the recent adoption of the "Gesetz zur Stärkung des Justizstandortes Deutschland durch Einführung von Commercial Courts und der Gerichtssprache Englisch in der Zivilgerichtsbarkeit (Justizstandort-Stärkungsgesetz). Also as a consequence of this, the Free hanseatic City of Bremen established the Hanseatischer Commercial Court für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Logistik und Seehandel (HCCB).

The research of Professor Cuniberti helps to identify potential factors influencing the choice of the parties in concerned in international business disputes – an important aspect for decision-makers in the establishment of courts and procedures as well as (potentially) the law applicable to these cases. In this regard, research goes beyond empirical observations and investigates the rationality of economic players in their legal decisions. Cuniberti doese not assume that economic players necessarily make rational decisions as these are based on incomplete information. He emphasizes the role of heuristics, familiarity and even misconceptions in the decision-making process.

The Institute of Commercial Law recognises the importance of informed decisions of economic actors and legal practitioners with regard to the choice of forum for international commercial disputes. By providing information on the HCCB, the Institute will aim to reduce information asymmetries and help the parties to understand the jurisdiction, the procedures and the advantages of the court in comparison to other fora.

The lecture was followed by the Institute's traditional summer party, this year for the first time at Forum am Domshof. The chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Commercial Law at the University of Bremen, Honorary Professor Dr. Dirk Weitze-Scholl, lawyer and notary at Rosenboom Menges Klindwort in Bremen, presented the prize for the best graduates of the area of specialisation International and European Commercial Law 2024 to Jennifer Merling. – Congratulations!