The history of the International Association of Procedural Law is the result of almost nine decades of perseverance, scholarly dialogue, and international cooperation. Its development was neither linear nor immediate; it emerged as an intellectual aspiration in a context marked by war, exile, and profound transformations in legal thought. Over time, it has consolidated itself as a leading scientific institution in the field of procedural law worldwide.

From its inception, this trajectory has been guided by the belief that the advancement of procedural law necessitates rigorous doctrinal development and the cultivation of robust personal connections and efficient communication channels among procedural scholars from diverse legal traditions, fostering a sustained exchange of ideas and experiences.

The earliest expression of this initiative can be traced back to 1936, when the German jurist James Goldschmidt visited the University of Valencia at the invitation of Niceto Alcalá-Zamora y Castillo. By that time, Goldschmidt was already a leading figure in German procedural dogmatics, and his theoretical work had made a significant contribution to the conceptual organization and scientific development of procedural law as an independent discipline. During that meeting, the idea of creating an international association devoted to the study of procedural law was conceived, representing a step beyond occasional academic exchange. However, the Spanish Civil War and the outbreak of the Second World War interrupted this initiative. Both jurists experienced exile: Goldschmidt was persecuted by the Nazi regime and died in Montevideo in 1940, while Alcalá-Zamora pursued much of his career in Latin America. There, he maintained the belief that an international organization should be established to promote scholarly exchange and understanding among jurists from different traditions.

In 1943, Alcalá-Zamora publicly revived the proposal from Argentina. In a world devastated by war, he argued for the need to establish an academic cooperation space that would contribute to the reconstruction of a democratic justice system that was close to individuals, while also fostering legal dialogue that could transcend territorial boundaries.

The first phase of institutional consolidation unfolded in the immediate post-war period. In 1947, the Associazione Italiana fra gli Studiosi del Processo Civile was founded in Florence and played a decisive role in organizing the first international congresses. The Florence Congress of 1950 was a defining moment, laying the foundations for an international structure designed to last. Over the following years, meetings in Vienna (1953), Venice (1962) and Athens (1967) progressively expanded the academic network, consolidating a forum for scholarly exchange that was beginning to gain stability and international recognition.

However, definitive institutionalization only occurred at the Fifth World Congress, which took place in Mexico in 1972. During this congress, the first statutes were adopted, formally constituting the Association. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora was appointed President and Vittorio Denti Secretary General. This event represented the culmination of over three decades of intellectual perseverance and consensus-building among the most influential procedural thinkers of the time.

The subsequent stage was characterized by consolidation and expansion. The Ghent Congress of 1977, held under the motto 'Towards a Justice with a Human Face', marked a shift towards a more comprehensive interpretation of procedural law. Rather than being viewed solely as a technical analysis of rules, it was recognized as a tool that serves justice and society. During this period, figures such as Mauro Cappelletti and Marcel Storme played a prominent role in orienting the Association towards a comparative and constitutional perspective that was open to legal dynamics extending beyond strictly national frameworks.

During the 1980s and 1990s, World Congresses and Colloquia addressed key themes including the effectiveness of judicial protection, the role of judges and lawyers in modern societies, the transnational aspects of procedural law and the efficiency of the justice system. At the same time, the Association expanded its regional representation by establishing vice-presidencies for Latin America, Asia, and North America. This was done to avoid Eurocentric approaches and reflect global diversity.

The Heidelberg Congress in 2011 marked an institutional turning point, initiating a new phase in the Association's life. This transition was preceded by the leadership of Federico Carpi and Peter Gottwald, who ensured organisational continuity and prepared the ground for structural renewal. In Heidelberg, new statutes were adopted to strengthen the organisational framework, formalise the functioning of the Presidium and the Council, and confirm German, Spanish, French, English and Italian as the official languages. Loïc Cadiet was also elected President during this period, alongside a Presidium representative from each of the three regions, thereby consolidating a more horizontal form of organisation based on collective deliberation, shared institutional responsibility, and increased attention to gender equality within governing bodies. It was also during this period that the International Journal of Procedural Law began publication, establishing a dedicated platform for the scientific dissemination of research and international academic dialogue.

During its most recent phase, the Association has strengthened its educational and intergenerational focus. International awards such as the Mauro Cappelletti Prize and the Marcel Storme Prize have been established to recognise the exceptional achievements of young scholars. Additionally, postdoctoral summer schools have been launched to strengthen methodological and comparative dialogue among new generations of specialists.

The Sixteenth World Congress, held in Kobe in 2019, addressed the contemporary challenges facing procedural law in the context of globalisation and technological change. Reforms were also adopted to allow the association to be formally registered as a non-profit entity in Luxembourg, thereby ensuring its legal and administrative stability.

Throughout its history, the International Association of Procedural Law has organised sixteen World Congresses, numerous international colloquia, and joint conferences with the Ibero-American Institute of Procedural Law. It has also organised a wide range of academic activities. The resulting proceedings and publications constitute a valuable body of comparative scholarship for the development of contemporary procedural thought.

Beyond institutional data, the history of the Association can be seen as a thread connecting generations of jurists who are dedicated to achieving more efficient, humane and impartial justice. From the initiative thwarted by exile in 1936, through to its consolidation as a global academic network, the Association's evolution demonstrates the strength of scientific cooperation and intercultural dialogue as essential tools for confronting the ever-changing challenges of law and justice.

Eduardo OTEIZA

IAPL President