The project also includes a partnership with European Society of International Law (ESIL), fostering further scholarly discussion and engagement on the Lotus case’s relevance today. The initiative is part of a broader effort to engage the international legal community in meaningful dialogue regarding the evolution of international law over the last century.
Seminar on Digital Sovereignty and the Lotus Principle
As part of the Lotus Project’s ongoing seminar series, Berna Akçalı Gür (Queen Mary University of London) and Joanna Kulesza (University of Lodz) will present at Seminar 6 on October 6th, 2025. Their session, titled “Revisiting the Lotus Principle: Digital Sovereignty, Satellite Internet, and Transnational Data Flows in the 21st Century”, will critically explore the intersection of the Lotus case’s jurisdictional principles with modern issues such as digital sovereignty, satellite internet technologies, and transnational data flows. Kulesza and Gür will examine how the Lotus case's legacy informs international legal approaches to state control over cyberspace, addressing the tension between national jurisdiction and the increasingly global nature of data and communication in the digital age. This seminar will offer a critical perspective on how international law must adapt to evolving technological challenges while maintaining fundamental principles established by the Lotus case.
Event Timeline & Structure:
- Kick-Off Lotus Workshop (Lund):
9-10 January 2025- The inaugural hybrid workshop to launch the series, bringing together experts to explore the historical significance and legacy of the Lotus case.
- Seminar 1:
3 February 2025 – Jurisdictional Issues- Focus on the jurisdictional aspects and implications of the Lotus case.
- Seminar 2:
3 March 2025 – State Consent and Discretion- Exploration of the balance between state consent and discretion in international legal cases.
- Seminar 3:
7 April 2025 – Diss. Opinions, Disagreements & Procedure- Examination of dissenting opinions and procedural aspects in the case.
- Seminar 4:
5 May 2025 – Practical Implications- Discussion on the practical legal implications of the Lotus ruling.
- Seminar 5:
1 September 2025 – Law of War and International Criminal Law- A deep dive into the impact of the Lotus decision on the laws of war and international criminal law.
- Seminar 6:
6 October 2025 – (Cyber)Space and Lotus- A seminar featuring Joanna Kulesza and Berna Akçali (Queen Mary University of London), exploring the intersection of cyberspace and international law, with a special focus on the Lotus case.
- Seminar 7:
3 November 2025 – (After)Life of Lotus- A discussion on the ongoing relevance of the Lotus case in contemporary international law.
- Seminar 8:
1 December 2025 – Legacy- A closing seminar reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Lotus case.
Key Details:
- Project Website: www.lotus-100.com
- Access to Abstracts/Papers: GoogleDrive Link
- All times are CET (Stockholm, Berlin, Tunis)
The Lotus Project is based at Lund University’s Faculty of Law, managed by Valentin Jeutner and Serde Atalay, with contributions from Federica Paddeu (Cambridge) and Daniel Peat (Leiden).
For updates and to join the project's email list, contact: news@lotus-100.com.
Visit the official website for more information on this exciting centenary project: Lotus Project.