CALL FOR PAPERS

EuCML Annual Conference and
Best Paper Award 2026

Private and Public Enforcement of Consumer and Market Law

The goal of this Award is to recognize outstanding contributions to Consumer and Market Law.

To be considered for the Award, Applicants should submit their paper by 15 May 2026 to eucmlaward@gmail.com. Papers of up to ca. 10,000 words (complying with the EuCML Submission Guidelines available here) will be considered. All submissions need to tackle recent and pressing issues in Consumer and Market Law, with a focus on Private and Public Enforcement of Consumer and Market Law.

Recent EU legislation introduces new design and regulatory tools for public enforcement but relies, by and large, on the acquis when it comes to private enforcement, individually and collectively. Submissions may wish to explore some of the following questions: How are the two fields (Public/ private enforcement) interacting? What kind of role will public enforcement play in analysing self- and third-party compliance and what remains for private enforcement considering the limited access to technical documentation? Does the fragmentation of public enforcement (especially in the digital sector) hinder effectiveness? What about the use of AI in enforcement? Do the available tools allow for effective cross-border/international enforcement? What about the interplay between current EU legal acts and national law? Can / should public enforcement also be used to remedy (individual) consumer harm?

The EuCML Best Paper Award aims to support research in consumer and market law and more precisely the search for doctrinal solutions in combining the various fields of the EU acquis (contract law, consumer law, competition law, digital law, sustainability law, data protection law, law on technical standards and so on) but also developing an agenda for further research and legislative work.

Applications are welcomed from all scholars regardless of length of experience. 

The five best papers will be selected by the EuCML Editors – after double-blind peer review of the submitted Papers.  Given the wide-spread interest in this Award, and to encourage the development of innovative ideas on Consumer and Market Law, the best five papers will be presented and discussed at the in-person EuCML Annual Conference to take place at the University of Ferrara, on 10 and 11 September 2026.

Each of the selected Papers will be assigned to one Chair and two Discussants, leading figures in the field of Consumer and Market Law, from Academia, Judiciary, Legal Practice, Enforcement Authorities, EU Commission, Consumer and Business Associations.

All Keynote Speakers, Chairs and Discussants will constitute the Jury awarding the EuCML Award to one of the Papers.

Papers not selected for the Conference on 10 and 11 September 2026 will, provided they successfully pass the double-blind peer review process, be considered for publication in other issues of EuCML upon authors’ interest.

EuCML Annual Conference and
Best Paper Award 2026

Private and Public Enforcement of Consumer and Market Law

10-11 September 2026

University of Ferrara
Rectorate
Auditorium Santa Lucia
Via Ariosto 35, 44121 Ferrara

Online on Google Meet (no registration or password required):
       10 September (14-19 CET): meet.google.com/sms-zxyo-mkd
        11 September (9-13 CET): meet.google.com/kqp-orbn-xow

             Information and Registration for In-person Participation: eucml.editors@unife.it

The first part of the Conference will feature Keynote Presentations by leading experts from Academia, Legal Practice, Judiciary, Enforcement Authorities, Legislative and Executive Bodies.

The second part of the Conference will feature the presentation and discussion of five Papers, will be selected by the EuCML Editors based on a call for papers.

Each of the selected Papers will be assigned to the distinguished Chair and Discussants of the respective Session, all leading Experts in the field of Consumer and Market Law.

After each Presentation (up to 20 minutes) by the finalist Speakers, each Discussant will have up to 10 minutes for their remarks, followed by a discussion (ca 15 minutes) with the further participants in the Conference.