SLS Annual Conference 2026: Private International Law Section: Call for Papers

Key Takeaways

• Conference runs 2-4 September 2026 at UEA, Norwich
• Private International Law section accepts papers until 27 March
• Best Paper Prize offers £300 and Legal Studies publication
• Support fund prioritises scholars lacking other funding
• Virtual options available for plenaries and council meetings

Summary

The Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) will hold its 2026 Annual Conference at the University of East Anglia in Norwich from 2‑4 September, returning to a fully in‑person format while keeping plenary sessions available online. The Private International Law section invites paper and panel proposals, with abstracts due by 27 March 2026 via Oxford Abstracts. Doctoral students are especially encouraged, and the conference offers a £300 Best Paper Prize and a separate doctoral award, plus an Annual Support Fund for those lacking other funding. Registration must be completed by 19 June 2026, with ticket prices locked at 2025 levels.

Pulse Analysis

The Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) will host its 2026 Annual Conference at the University of East Anglia in Norwich from 2‑4 September, marking a decisive return to fully in‑person gatherings after years of virtual formats. Organisers cite both the global trend toward face‑to‑face networking and the high costs of running a purely digital event as drivers for this decision. While the main programme will be on site, plenary sessions and council meetings remain accessible online, preserving inclusivity for members who cannot travel. This hybrid approach balances tradition with modern accessibility, setting a new standard for scholarly conferences.

The Private International Law (PIL) section, scheduled for the first two days, invites submissions on any topic within the discipline, encouraging methodological diversity and early‑career participation. Abstracts of roughly 300 words must be uploaded via Oxford Abstracts by 27 March 2026, after which a blind peer‑review cycle will be followed by a non‑blind review to ensure profile diversity. Doctoral candidates receive particular encouragement, with the SLS offering an Annual Support Fund that favours applicants lacking alternative financing. This inclusive framework aims to broaden the scholarly conversation and surface emerging perspectives in cross‑border legal issues.

Financial incentives further elevate the conference’s appeal: the Best Paper Prize awards £300 and a potential publication slot in Legal Studies, while a separate doctoral prize recognises outstanding research without a publication guarantee. Eligibility hinges on full SLS membership and original, unpublished work not exceeding 12,000 words. By maintaining 2025 ticket prices for 2026, the Society acknowledges fiscal pressures on higher‑education institutions and seeks to maximise participation. Collectively, these measures reinforce the SLS’s role as a catalyst for rigorous legal scholarship and signal a vibrant future for private international law research.