Dear members of the International Academy of Comparative Law,

 Nous avons reçu 52 nominations au poste de membre associé et 16 nominations au poste de membre titulaire.

 We must now elect the new members of the academy. Let me make a few recommendations about the vote.

Associate membership (entry level)

 In the past many excellent candidates for associate membership (entry-level membership) were not elected which is regrettable because, once rejected, these colleagues become extremely reluctant to apply again and we lose some excellent colleagues who become not so friendly toward the Academy.

I think this has happened because some members did not vote in favour of colleagues they did not know. I urge you not to proceed in that fashion.

First, since our membership is vastly European and North American, voting against colleagues simply because one does not know them, puts colleagues who are engaged in Asia or Africa for example, at a grave, and frankly unfair, disadvantage. These colleagues have been nominated by a senior colleague or a national committee who knows them well and their CV and list of publications often speak for themselves.

Also we do need many new associate members. Our membership needs to be renewed and we have many colleagues who want to join. It is not an easy process as the candidate must get a letter of recommendation from a member or a national committee and submit his or her CV and list of publication. These candidates are seriously interested. It also makes sense intellectually (and financially!) to allow all colleagues who have demonstrated an interest in comparative law to become associate members.

Therefore, I recommend that you should only reject an application for associate membership if, after reading the letter of recommendation by the national committee or the member recommending the candidate and after reading the candidate’s CV and list of publications, you still think that the colleague has not shown a clear interest in comparative law.

All candidate dossiers are available on the elections page and should be consulted before voting against any application.

I have read all of the files of the candidates for the position of associate member and I recommend that you accept them all – all of the candidates have clearly shown an interest and some accomplishments in comparative law.

 Titular members

 Understandably, colleagues need to apply more stringent criteria for titular members. Our statutes state that “The number of titular members may amount to up to one-third of the total number of members.” We must therefore make sure that titular members are highly respected colleagues in the field of comparative law.

 I think we have excellent candidates, but I make no recommendation and leave the decision the titular members – only titular members may elect titular members.

 My only recommendation is that you do not reject a candidate without having read her or his entire dossier.

Voting closes on 2 March 2026. All members can vote for candidates for associate membership, but only titular members can vote for candidates for titular membership.

 Yours truly,

Gary F Bell

Secretary General