Legitimacy of Legal Decisions Adopted Under Radical Uncertainties
La légitimité des décisions juridiques adoptées dans un contexte d’incertitude radicale
Published on Wednesday, October 08, 2025
Abstract
The conference will focus on the theme “The Legitimacy of Legal Decisions Adopted in a Context of Radical Uncertainty”. It seeks to explore the mechanisms through which law is legitimized when decision-makers must act under conditions of profound uncertainty—be it scientific, political, economic, or social. In a context of multiple crises (climatic, health, security, technological, etc.), the aim is to question the law’s capacity to produce decisions perceived as legitimate, and to examine the conditions under which such recognition can be achieved.
Announcement
Introduction
The University of Lille will host a conference from 21th to the 22th May 2026 as part of the Cross Disciplinary Project entitled Decision-making Processes under Extreme Radical Uncertainties (DePeru). The scientific committee invites doctoral candidates and early-career researchers to reflect on the legitimacy of decisions adopted under conditions of radical uncertainties from the perspective of International and European Law. The scope of this discussion may also extend to other aspects of the law, which may serve to stimulate further reflection.
The conference will be conducted in English, however papers may be submitted in either English or French.
Background
Radical uncertainty is a particularly acute form of uncertainty, in which it is impossible to predict future events from, measure its effects or even identify, with certainty, the relevant parameters of the situation[1]. Radical uncertainty thus distinguishes itself from scientific uncertainty — which stems from incomplete knowledge of a phenomenon — and from socioeconomic uncertainty — which concerns the unpredictability of the social and economic impacts of an event —.
This type of uncertainty typically arises in the context of emerging crises — whether sanitary, climatic, geopolitical or technological — which tend to exceed traditional risk management frameworks and prompt exceptional responses, often taken in urgency and without any guarantee of conformity with well-established legal principles.
It is within this framework that the legitimacy of a given decision becomes a crucial issue. Legitimacy is a polysemic concept[2], which can refer to the judgment made by one or more actors regarding the validity of a decision, based on shared norms, values or interests. It results from an evaluative process involving at least a decision-maker and an appraiser, whose perception determines whether the decision is deemed acceptable. This recognition may relate both to the substance of the decision as much as the procedure that led to its adoption. Generally, three forms of legitimacy are distinguished: pragmatic legitimacy, grounded in the usefulness or favourable outcomes of the decision; cognitive legitimacy, based on the clarity and internal coherence of the reasoning; and moral legitimacy, assessed in light of conformity with social and legal values[3]. Legitimacy thus emerges as a relational and context-dependent concept, situated at the intersection of law, ethics, and politics.
This call for papers invites legal and social science early researchers to explore the ways in which law seeks to respond to radical uncertainty — both at the normative and procedural levels —, while critically examining the legitimacy of the decisions that result. To this end, forward-looking reflections are also encouraged.
By way of illustration, contributions may examine the legitimacy of legal or jurisdictional decisions adopted in areas such as environmental, constitutional, or economic law. Contemporary developments—such as the confiscation of Russian assets[4], which has sparked contrasting interpretations in international law—may also serve as case studies[5]. Such examples raise important questions about the legitimacy of past and future decisions, thereby contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the evolution of international relations.
The aim of this framework is to question the role of law not only as a means of stabilisation but also as a space of tension where the need for action intersects with the obligation to uphold fundamental legal guarantees.
Conference scope
Submissions could consider, but not exclusively, the following axes :
- Environment (environmental crisis, loss of biodiversity, …)
- Democracy (interferences in internal affairs, internal instabilities, …)
- Security and Defense (external assaults, terrorism, …)
- Public Health (epidemics, medical progress related to the use of artificial science, …)
- Economy (stock market and financial crisis, economic and social development of States, …)
Instructions for submission
The submissions should include an abstract of max 500 words and a short biography (between 5 to 10 lines).
We are welcoming submissions before November 14, 2025,
so please forward material for consideration to legitimacy@univ-lille.fr
Submissions may be written in French or English.
The conference will be held on 21-22 May 2026 at the University of Lille - Faculty of Law, France.
Travel and accommodations will be in charge of the contributors. Accepted papers will be notified on December 19, 2025.
Final papers should be submitted for April 29, 2026.
A selection of contributions could potentially be considered for publication, depending on editorial opportunities and the fulfillment of scientific standards.
Contact
For further information, feel free to contact the organising committee composed of Marie Copin (marie.copin@univ-lille.fr) and Clara Mathis (clara.mathis@univ-lille.fr).
Scientific Committee
- Elsa Bernard - Professor of Public Law (CRDP-ERDP, University of Lille - France)
- Magali Dreyfus - Research fellow in Public Law (CERAPS, University of Lille - France)
- Martin Belov - Professor of Constitutional Law (University St Kliment Ohridski - Bulgaria)
Coordinators
- Marie Copin - PhD student in Public Law (University of Lille - France)
- Clara Mathis - PhD student in Public Law (University of Lille - France)
Notes
[1] Hasselaar J. J., Hope in the context of climate change: Jonathan sacks’ interpretation of the Exodus and radical uncertainty, International Journal of Public Theology, 2020, 14(2), p. 224-240.
[2] Friry, D, Influence du leadership dans le processus de légitimation du cadre de santé hors filière débutant, Projectics/Proyectica/Projectique, (HS), 2020, p. 61-84.
[3] Aldrich, H. E., & Fiol, C. M., Fools rush in? The institutional context of industry creation. Academy of management review, 19(4), 1994, p.645-670 ; Suchman, M. C., Managing legitimacy: Strategic and institutional approaches, Academy of management review, 1995, 20(3), p.571-610 ; Zimmerman, M. A., & Zeitz, G. J. , Beyond survival: Achieving new venture growth by building legitimacy, Academy of management review, 2002, 27(3), p. 414-431 ; Barbaroux, P., & Gautier, A., En quête de légitimité : la gestion du changement organisationnel comme processus de légitimation. Management international, 2017,.21(4), p. 48-60.
[4] D. Mainguy, Saisie des avoirs russes : un parcours d’obstacles juridiques, website Le Club des juristes, 26 mars 2025: link
[5] D. Mainguy, op. cit : link ; article written by Rémi Mouret, website Les Surligneurs, “Est-ce que le droit international interdit la confiscation des avoirs russes, comme l’affirme Bastien Lachaud?”: link
Subjects
- Law (Main category)
Places
- Campus Lille Moulins - 1 Place Déliot
Lille, France (59)
Event attendance modalities
Full on-site event
Date(s)
- Friday, November 14, 2025
Attached files
Keywords
- Légitimité, incertitude radicale, droit, sciences politiques
Contact(s)
- Marie COPIN
courriel : marie [dot] copin [at] univ-lille [dot] fr - Clara MATHIS
courriel : clara [dot] mathis [at] univ-lille [dot] fr
Information source
- Marie COPIN
courriel : marie [dot] copin [at] univ-lille [dot] fr
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Legitimacy of Legal Decisions Adopted Under Radical Uncertainties », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Wednesday, October 08, 2025, https://doi.org/10.58079/14vll
