Belgians often refer to the bric-a-brac solutions that the country’s lawmakers come up with as ‘compromis à la belge’ – Belgian compromises. They are never pretty, often incomprehensible, but somehow work. It is only fitting therefore that the next Annual Forum of the Association of Young Legal Historians, taking place in Ghent, Belgium, should seek to explore the role of compromise in legal history. We want to invite young researchers to come together and reflect on the complex interactions between legal institutions, societal norms, and power dynamics that either foster or reject compromise in legal decision-making. Compromise is broadly defined as any agreement where parties relinquish part of their demands. Participants are encouraged to examine its applications across different
contexts, from individual disputes to institutional negotiations, and from idealized notions to ad hoc resolutions. The conference will also consider frameworks that facilitate compromise, as well as decision-making processes that explicitly reject it. Panel discussions will be structured around thematic rather than geographical or historical divisions. Possible topics include: • Ethical dimensions of compromise in law, including its impact on marginalized
groups, human rights, and governance.

• The role of stakeholders in legal decision-making, such as social partners and interest groups.
• When and how compromise enhances or undermines legal legitimacy.
• Institutions that mediate compromise, such as arbitrators, mediators, and justices of the peace.

Legal history is inherently interdisciplinary, intersecting with both law and history. The increasing diversity of the field, incorporating extra-European legal traditions alongside traditional Roman and Ancien Régime studies, necessitates new ways of fostering dialogue. By selecting a theme that allows in-depth case studies without cultural bias, the conference seeks to contribute to the emerging field of global legal history.
Rather than organizing panels based on geographic or historical categories, the conference will emphasize thematic connections to stimulate discussion across
subfields that seldom engage with one another. This approach is designed to generate fresh insights and new research directions in legal history.
We invite scholars to contribute to this exploration of compromise in legal history, bridging disciplinary gaps and fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.