PhD in Consumer Law
The PhD in Consumer Law is part of the ‘Association of PhDs in Private Law’ and the ‘Coordination of PhDs in Private Law’. The course, based at the Scientific and Educational Centre in Terni, trains researchers on topics related to the act of consumption. The protection of consumers, as weaker contracting parties, will be addressed in the light of EU and national legislation and case law, with particular attention to the legislative changes that are currently being proposed (see, for example, the proposed regulation on sales). Although the areas of investigation focus on civil law, they will necessarily go beyond it to involve others, such as financial markets, insurance products and tourism, with which consumers interact and need protection, also addressing criminal law issues. At the same time, typical civil procedure institutions will be explored in depth to ensure protection that goes beyond substantive law. In addition to interdisciplinarity, internationalisation will also form the basis of the course, as evidenced by the specific agreement already signed on 31 March 2014 with the University of Salamanca. Support in this context will be provided by the Centre for Legal Studies on Consumer Rights at the Terni Campus, coordinated by Prof. Mezzasoma, to which more than 20 foreign universities belong. Each doctoral student is required to spend 12 months at a foreign institution. The programme collaborates with the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Terni.