Presentation


PhD iPrivate autonomy, business, work and protection of rights in the European and international - a.a. 2025/2026
 
 
The PhD Programme in Private Autonomy, Business, Labour and the Protection of Rights in the European and International Perspective originates from the merger of several doctoral programmes, most notably the civil law–Roman law tradition programme, which was among the first to integrate historical analysis with private law scholarship within doctoral training. Over time, the programme evolved through the introduction of additional curricula and was subsequently restructured as a PhD in Law of the Economy and Enterprise, International Law, and Civil Procedure. From the XXX cycle onwards, it adopted its current title, clearly reflecting its inherent comparative, European, and international orientation.
The programme brings together the expertise necessary to investigate the tension between individual freedom and aspirations towards equality: between the exercise of private autonomy in its various forms and the demands for recognition and redistribution within the communities in which individuals operate — from the family to the enterprise, and across the many expressions of associative and collective life. This is pursued through an approach that values both the historical dimension of legal phenomena and comparative analysis across different legal and social contexts, while maintaining close engagement with the broader social sciences.
In line with these objectives, numerous international agreements have been concluded, enabling doctoral candidates to strengthen and develop their research skills through periods of study abroad at leading academic institutions, including joint supervision arrangements and international cooperation programmes. The Doctoral Board also includes distinguished international scholars whose participation significantly enriches the programme’s training provision. The programme further offers a unique opportunity within the Italian academic landscape: as Sapienza University is the only Italian member of the European Law School network, doctoral candidates may access prestigious postdoctoral opportunities at partner universities.
The Doctoral Board currently comprises more than sixty members, including eminent professors and researchers from Italy and abroad.
The programme enrols over sixty doctoral candidates and is structured into six curricula: Labour Law; Tax Law; Commercial and Business Law; Comparative Private Law; Foundations and Traditions of European Private Law; and Civil Procedure. In addition to curriculum-specific training pathways, doctoral candidates benefit from a range of shared academic activities and resources. These include, in particular, a 50-hour Advanced Institutional Course addressed to all doctoral candidates, as well as the Spring and Autumn Ph.D. Schools — joint training initiatives held in May and November and normally organised over six consecutive days. These sessions are devoted to methodological issues and topics of cross-cutting relevance across the curricula. During the training week, each curriculum organises lectures delivered by internal and external members of the Doctoral Board, including international scholars, who also act as discussants during presentations of doctoral candidates’ research related to their thesis projects or other publications, thereby providing an important forum for critical engagement with the wider academic community.

The following section outlines the specific contribution made by each of the six curricula to the intellectual and cultural framework of the doctoral programme.
 

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LABOUR LAW 12/GIUR-04 - GIUR-04/A 
 
The PhD in Labour Law aims to provide the skills necessary to carry out research activities in the field, training scholars capable of interpreting the transformations that are redefining the world of work.
In a context characterized by continuous regulatory changes, by the evolution of organizational models and by the progressive overcoming of the traditional protective approach of the discipline, the doctoral programme offers the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to conduct research in depth and to thoroughly understand the dynamics affecting the contemporary labour market.
The programme intends to accompany the scholar along a path of scientific growth through constant engagement with the most current issues: from labour market regulation to flexible contractual types; from the new structure of inter-union relations to the transformations of protections within the employment relationship, without, however, neglecting further opportunities to explore the more traditional themes of labour law, the study of which constitutes an indispensable prerequisite.
While traditionally representing the privileged channel of access to an academic career, the PhD in Labour Law is not limited to this perspective; indeed, the doctorate aims to provide highly specialized and transversal legal skills that can be applied in every sector of the labour market.
The training pathway includes the conduct of individual research on topics such as the employment relationship, trade union law and social security, with particular attention to the analysis of current law, its evolutionary dynamics and comparative profiles, within an approach open to dialogue among legal systems.
Great importance is attributed to scientific discussion: in addition to periodic assessments of the results achieved, the PhD Course promotes the organization of seminars and specialized meetings dedicated to the doctoral students’ research topics, with the participation of Italian and foreign lecturers and experts.
These moments of in-depth study and dialogue represent a valuable opportunity to enrich one’s path, expand the network of scientific relationships and develop a critical and informed vision of the challenges that labour law is called upon to address.
Choosing this PhD means embarking on a demanding yet highly formative path, in a dynamic environment open to discussion, which values research autonomy and concretely supports the academic and professional growth of each doctoral student.
 
 
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TAX LAW 12/GIUR-08 - GIUR-08/A 
 
Tax law is currently undergoing a profound process of normative and systematic evolution aimed at strengthening the implementation of the principles of legality, transparency, efficiency, impartiality, effectiveness, and efficacy of administrative action in the fiscal field. This evolution forms part of the broader reform of the tax system initiated by the Delegated Law of 9 August 2023, No. 111, which aims to modernise the relationship between the tax administration and taxpayers by strengthening the principles of legal certainty, protection of legitimate expectations, and cooperation between the parties.
The regulation of assessment and collection activities, traditionally characterised by an authoritative approach, is progressively being reconsidered in order to ensure a more balanced relationship between the exercise of taxing powers and the rights of taxpayers. In this perspective, recent legislative reforms affecting tax procedures and the system of guarantees are particularly significant, especially the amendments introduced to the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights (Law No. 212 of 27 July 2000). Among these, particular importance is attached to the introduction of the general principle of prior adversarial proceedings, now governed by Article 6-bis of the Statute, which requires the tax administration to establish an informed and effective dialogue with the taxpayer before adopting acts that may be independently challenged.
The ongoing legislative developments are part of a broader process of transformation of the relationship between the tax administration and taxpayers, increasingly oriented towards models of cooperative administration, based on transparency, prior dialogue, and mutual responsibility. In this perspective, alongside the traditional instruments of assessment and collection, increasing importance is attributed to mechanisms aimed at promoting tax compliance, preventing litigation, and encouraging the early settlement of disputes.
In light of these transformations, the course aims to critically analyse the evolution of tax law by examining the theoretical and systematic foundations of the subject, the structure of the tax relationship, and the main institutions relating to assessment activities, collection, and the protection of taxpayers. The objective is to provide the conceptual tools necessary to understand the gradual transition from a traditionally authoritative model to a more balanced framework governing the relationship between the tax administration and taxpayers, without neglecting the public interests underlying the fiscal function and the specific characteristics of administrative action in the tax field

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COMMERCIAL AND COMPANY LAW AND MARKETS’ REGULATION 12/GIUR-02 - 12/GIUR-02/A - 12/GIUR-03 - 12/GIUR-03/A  
 
The PhD program pursues the objective of training PhD students in scientific research on the issues and topics included in the two mentioned disciplinary fields, namely: (i) the regulation of business activities and acts, with particular reference to the professional statutes of the entrepreneur and the commercial entrepreneur, companies, groups of companies, business contracts, intellectual property and business competition, business crisis and insolvency procedures, banking, insurance and investment contracts; (ii) the ways and means of implementation of public supervision of private enterprises (especially banking, insurance and investment companies); (iii) the public enterprise and the joint-stock company with public participation; (iv) the peculiar discipline of the banking enterprise, the insurance enterprise and financial intermediation; (v) the representative and circulation instruments of securities wealth (securities, financial instruments).
PhD students are required to engage in scientific research on one or more topics identified in agreement with the “PhD Program Committee” and to complete, over the three years of the course, an original scientific work (the “doctoral thesis”), as well as to write, in parallel, scientific works of lesser commitment (e.g., comments on court rulings).
Particular attention is paid to training in the classics of legal thought in the above-mentioned areas, updating this training through the reading of recent works that have made significant contributions in terms of scientific research methods, the development of ideas, and comparison with international debates.
Great attention is also paid to training in legal comparison and the use of the comparative method; the best doctoral students are encouraged to undertake study periods abroad at foreign universities or scientific institutions in EU or non-EU countries.
 
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COMPARATIVE PRIVATE LAW 12/GIUR-11 - GIUR-11/A  
 
The PhD program in Comparative Private Law aims to provide candidates with the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to conduct research on issues and questions relevant to private law, including their interconnections with other areas of law, according to the comparative method approach. The latter is understood not only as a technique for comparing legal systems, but also as a critical tool for understanding and interpreting the specificities of law in different socio-economic and cultural contexts, as well as its transformations over time. In this perspective, the program aims to develop a solid theoretical background in the comparative analysis of legal systems and its methods, the evolutionary dynamics of law and the circulation of normative models, with specific reference to the European context, and the forms and techniques of unification of law at the global level.
In addition to the training activities common to all PhD students, the curriculum includes specific initiatives aimed at enhancing the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, including through the involvement of external professors from Italian and foreign universities and research institutions.
During the three-year period, doctoral students will be required to periodically present the progress of their research to the Board, with a view to critical dialogue and the progressive refinement of their scientific project, in preparation for the drafting and completion of their final thesis. At the same time, active participation in the relevant scientific community will be encouraged through the publication of contributions in journals and collective works, as well as participation in seminars and conferences.
Research stays at foreign universities and institutions will be encouraged.
 
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CIVIL LAW AND HISTORY OF EUROPEAN LAW 12/GIUR-01 - GIUR-01/A - 12/GIUR-16 - GIUR-16/A 
 
The curriculum “Reality and Roots of European Private Law” (Realtà e radici del Diritto Privato Europeo) aims to offer a solid and complete preparation for scientific research, in the subjects of the two scientific sectors, private Law, with a focus on the European perspective, and the history of European law. To achieve this purpose, a broad training program has been developed, which includes: (i) the study of European private law, contained in the main codes issued between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, which has been increasingly influenced, since the end of the Second World War, by common law systems and the normative activity of international and supranational legal systems; (ii) the study of the main legal institutions from a diachronic perspective (property Law, new forms of property, intellectual property and competition, interpretation of the contract, sale and purchase, contracts based on trust, breach and termination of contract, anticipatory breach, business to business contracts, information asymmetry, the various forms of civil liability and in particular the aspects of medical negligence, damages, both contractual and tortious); (iii) the rights and interests protected by the rules, their transformation and the importance assumed by fundamental rights, as well as the growing demand for protection and the availability of different fora of protection at European and international level; (iv) the process of European integration, through the recognition of the areas in which the EU legal framework and its implementation in the Italian legal system has affected the relationships between private individuals and between private parties and the EU legal system (areas relating to consumer and professional contracts, competition between companies, corporate governance, financial markets, civil liability, natural and legal persons, family, etc.); (v) the study of the aspects of convergence in the evolution of European legal systems, also and above all outside the areas subject to harmonization, through the analysis of the general principles, jurisprudential orientations, common terminological and conceptual apparatuses that concern the subjects pertaining to private law. The curriculum is rooted in the solid tradition of the Faculty of Law, within which authoritative schools of civil law and legal history have profoundly shaped the construction and evolution of the Italian legal culture. Within this perspective of continuity, the programme offers an in-depth study of general legal theory, which constitutes an indispensable tool for critically navigating the complex and multifaceted contemporary legal order, increasingly characterized by a marked European orientation. PhD students are required to dedicate themselves for the three-year period to scientific research activities on one or more topics identified in agreement with the teaching staff and to complete, within the three years, an original scientific work. Particular attention is paid to training in the classics of legal thought, and to updating through the reading of recent or very recent works that have made significant contributions to the methodological level of scientific investigation and the development of ideas. Conceived as a training programme of supranational scope, training in comparative law is taken care of; the doctoral students are encouraged to undertake, during the three-year period, study visits abroad, at foreign universities or scientific institutions. Finally, as every year, seminar activities and lectures delivered by professors from prestigious European and American universities are planned.
 
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CIVIL PROCEDURE LAW 12/GIUR-12 - GIUR-12/A 
 
The course aims to study the specific issues of civil procedural law. The current doctoral program will pay special attention, particularly with regard to their compatibility with constitutional guarantees regarding the judicial protection of rights, to legislative developments affecting this area, such as the numerous amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure and the reform of insolvency proceedings, also in light of the most recent reforms of civil procedure. Special emphasis will be placed on the critical study of the evolution of supreme court and constitutional case law, as well as on the analysis of the relationship between procedural law and substantive law. Research will focus on the in-depth study of the fundamental principles of civil procedure, the dogmatic categories of the subject matter, and their practical applications, including in relation to the effectiveness of the protection of rights. From an educational perspective, the PhD in Civil Procedural Law is designed to train scientific researchers with a broad general education and solid methodological skills, ensuring high levels of critical thinking and flexibility in future career choices. The program also aims to provide advanced preparation for access to and practice of legal professions, with a particular emphasis on scientific rigor, systematic research, and in-depth study of regulatory and case law interpretation techniques, including from a comparative perspective. In this context, the program aims to develop in its students scientific autonomy, the ability to conduct complex research, and the ability to engage with scholarly literature and case law, including at a supranational level. The primary objective of the program is to enhance the research skills of PhD students in the program's field of interest through the development of original and qualitatively qualified scientific contributions, intended for dissemination in the national and international scholarly and doctrinal debate. The program emphasizes the production of research suitable for publication, participation in conferences and scientific initiatives, and the inclusion of doctoral students in academic research networks. The pursuit of these objectives requires doctoral students, in addition to possessing an adequate cultural background, to engage in ongoing individual and collective research, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and a critical approach to the key theoretical and applied issues of the field. To this end, study seminars, in-depth meetings, and opportunities for critical discussion on the main issues of civil procedural law are periodically organized, sometimes involving external scholars and experts, with a view to continuous scientific updating.



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