April 16, 2025
It is strange. Exactly yesterday I was browsing on the internet seeking news on Claus and just few moments ago these news broke out on Linkedin.
Claus-Dieter Ehlermann has passed away.
I don’t want to summarise the many accomplishment of Claus, a true giant in EU and international competition and trade policy and law. For that, suffice reading his short but more than rich biography in the website of the WTO.
I first listened to him speaking on a couple of occasions in the early 2000s in London at the BIICL/Georgetown conferences organised by Prof. John Jackson and when he gave a lecture at KCL talking about his experience as Appellate Body member. I was lucky enough to have him as external PhD examiner in 2006 and also as preface-writer for my 2009 monograph. Since then, I met and talked with him quite regularly, particularly at the EUI which I was visiting in the early-to-mid 2010s. He was very often there, invited by Petros Mavroidis and Bernard Hoekman. Whenever I could, I sent him draft papers which he always commented on with insightful and frank feedback.
The picture below was taken during an interview at Birmingham Law School in May 2015.
It was one of the last times I saw him in person.
Since then, he has always been with me – at least academically, in my classes and in my papers.
His titanic stature is always present, whether I teach EU State aid law or international trade law. The few slides below give testament to this.
When I introduce him to my students, I always highlight that we are about to talk of a gigantic figure in law and policy, one of those leaders that truly make a difference.
He will be truly missed. But we have wonderful memories, accomplishments and his readings to ponder and cherish – particularly in these turbulent times.
May he rest in peace – and still be an inspiration for future generations.
lucaslaws 