Research Fellow Laura Formichella and Associate Professor Massimiliano Vinci, at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, were invited to deliver a lecture entitled Principles and Rules: A Dialogue Between Roman Law and Chinese Law to the students on Haidian Campus on the afternoon of 26 June.

The lecture was chaired by Professor Fei Anling of the College. Lecturer Li Mei from the College and Lecturer Zhang Ying from the Institute for Law and Data Governance served as commentators. Professors Marco Fioravanti, Riccardo Cardilli and Roberta Marini from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, along with Lecturer Xu Jianbo from the College, also attended the event.

Formichella began by reviewing the legislative development and application of legal principles in China. She noted that the Chinese legal system strives to strike a balance between rules and principles in both legal drafting and judicial application. Using the concept of ‘appearance’ and its association with the principle of legitimate expectation, she observed that China maintains a prudent and restrained approach to the application of legal principles in order to ensure the uniformity and predictability of the law.

Vinci then introduced the evolution of the Roman legal system with regard to the use of slave labour as an object of usufructuary rights. He highlighted how this unique contractual arrangement in Roman law—by defining labour solely in quantifiable terms—severed the connection between the individual characteristics of workers and their labour, effectively reducing human beings to lifeless ‘components’. Although modern labour law has rejected this ideology, he noted that workers remain in a vulnerable position, and the debate over labour protection and social safeguards continues to this day.

During the panel discussion, participants engaged in a vibrant exchange of ideas. Li explored strategies for the application of legal principles from an ethical and moral perspective. Zhang underscored the importance of regulating labour practices on digital platforms. Xu further elaborated on the contractual models of labour in ancient Roman law. Fioravanti, referencing a film that vividly portrayed the plight of workers, reflected on the diminishing social function of employment contracts in today’s world.

In conclusion, Fei expressed her sincere gratitude to all speakers and attendees. She conveyed the hope that the guest professors would return to CUPL for further academic exchanges in the future. The lecture concluded successfully.