Doctorate

The dissertation may take the form of a monograph or a cumulative dissertation. At the beginning of the doctoral studies, the chosen form must be determined jointly with the supervisors. This decision forms the basis for the further course of the doctoral procedure and is set out in the doctoral agreement.

A one-time change between the two dissertation forms is permitted and requires an amendment to the doctoral agreement. Multiple changes are not allowed.

Monograph

The monograph is the traditional form of legal dissertations, in which a single, clearly defined topic is examined comprehensively from a legal scholarly perspective.

Cumulative Dissertation (cf. § 18a PVO)

Requirements

The cumulative dissertation consists of at least four papers that have been published or at least accepted for publication in reputable academic journals or comparable publication outlets and that address an overarching research topic. In addition, a separate document must be prepared that situates the findings of the individual papers within the overarching research topic, establishes the internal coherence between the papers, highlights their theoretical and practical relevance, and demonstrates their positioning within the field.

The specific requirements are:

1. at least four papers in reputable national or international academic journals or comparable publication outlets that have been published or accepted for publication;
2. these papers address an overarching research topic and demonstrate internal coherence;
3. a concluding integrative document that links the papers to one another, situates them within the field, and highlights their theoretical and practical relevance;
4. the majority of the papers must be written during the doctoral studies and constitute the main body of the dissertation;
5. the main body must consist of at least two sole-authored papers (co-authorship is otherwise permitted provided the PhD candidate’s contribution is substantial and clearly documented).

The cumulative dissertation format is particularly suited to dynamic or interdisciplinary research fields and enhances international visibility.

Research Plan (cf. § 22a PVO)

For a cumulative dissertation, the preparation of a research plan is mandatory. All PhD candidates who have chosen this dissertation form must prepare the research plan independently at an early stage of their doctoral studies. As the research plan forms part of the doctoral agreement, it must be available at the time of signing.

The research plan sets out in a binding manner:

1. the overarching research topic,
2. the research objective, research questions, and methods,
3. the planned number and type of papers,
4. the intended publication outlets,
5. the internal coherence of the papers, and
6. a realistic timeline for the preparation of the papers and the concluding integrative document pursuant to § 18a para. 3 PVO.

The research plan ensures that the doctoral project is clearly structured from the outset and does not require fundamental reorientation at a later stage. Adjustments to changed circumstances are possible in agreement with the supervisors or the doctoral committee. If necessary, the doctoral agreement must be updated accordingly.

A template for the research plan can be downloaded in the Forms section. However, the format of the research plan is flexible. In terms of content, the requirements of § 22a PVO must be met.

The principle of dual supervision applies. The primary supervisor serves as the permanent point of contact for the PhD candidate. They bear the main responsibility for the doctoral process and prepare the first expert report at its conclusion. The secondary supervisor has a supporting and advisory role and typically prepares the second expert report.

In the doctoral programs, additional supervisors may be involved.

It is the responsibility of the doctoral applicants to find both a primary and a secondary supervisor. The secondary supervisor must be approved by the primary supervisor (in the "Confirmation of Supervision from the Authorized Examiner" form, which is to be submitted as part of the online application for doctoral admission).

Doctoral colloquia serve to deepen and broaden methodological competence in legal scholarship and to facilitate scholarly engagement with the dissertation. In the General Doctorate and the Doctoral Program of the Faculty of Law, PhD candidates must complete one of each of the two colloquia during their doctoral studies. With the consent of the primary supervisor, other academic achievements may also be credited as a doctoral colloquium.

The final step of the doctoral process is the defence of the dissertation. It takes place only if both expert reports are positive. The defence is public and is generally held within eight weeks of the receipt of the expert reports by the Office of the Vice Dean of Studies. The PhD candidates present their dissertation in a lecture and respond to questions from the defence committee in the subsequent academic discussion. The committee decides on the outcome of the defence, the acceptance of the dissertation, and the grade.

The defence committee consists of the first and second examiners as well as an additional faculty member who chairs the committee. If required, up to two additional members may be included.

In exceptional cases, the Faculty Assembly decides on the acceptance of the dissertation and the grade:

1. if a voting faculty member so requests;
2. if the defence committee wishes to deviate from the grade proposed in the expert reports;
3. if the expert reports propose different grades;
4. if not both expert reports are positive;
5. if the defence is failed for a second time.

Full information on the completion of the doctorate can be found in the section Completion of the Doctorate / Publication of the Doctoral Thesis / PhD Conferral.