Düsseldorf Language and Law conference/Konferenz zu Recht und Sprache in Düsseldorf

The Language and Law Conference will be held from May 17 to 19, 2006 in Duesseldorf, Germany. It is an interdisciplinary joint-venture of the University of Duesseldorf and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The full programme should be online at the beginning of next (this) week, I gather, and payment should be made by April 30. It’s possible to register for individual panel discussions on the second and third days.

Applied Sessions (Wednesday) Forum plus topical full paper sessions (25 mins plus discussion time) on language issues in law.

European Union legislation and national translations from English: Linguistic causes and Legal issues * Intercultural aspects, different law systems, different cultures, different language problems * Teaching Legal English in Law Firms and Training Institutions * Interpreting English-language contracts/judgments for German lawyers & vice versa * Issues in bilingual legal practice (translation/interpretation) * U.S. & German legal language and communication (avoiding misunderstandings, pitfalls, & “false friends”, Intercultural communication - appropriate tone with colleagues, courts & clients, tone and politeness in email communication) * Forum “Corporate Law and Language”, organized by Dirk Zetzsche (zetzsche@uni-duesseldorf.de) of The Center for Business & Corporate Law, University of Duesseldorf

Specialized Panels (Thursday and Friday) Three papers presented. Two discussants, afterwards questions from the audience. Panelists and discussants have read all the papers beforehand. Papers are accessible in the materials section (registration required).

Interpretation of Legal Language * Language in Law and Literature * Language and Crime * Intercultural aspects of law: different cultures, different legal systems, different problems for language * Language(s) and the law: translating legal discourse - the European and American situation * Legal Language, plain language and access to the law * Language, gender and law