The IES 2013 Autumn Lecture Series will tackle the questions surrounding the role of law in times of economic and political crisis through a programme of ten panel sessions, each given by top experts in the respective fields.The introductory lecture will frame the discussion by providing a critical overview of the interplay between the economics, politics and law in the crisis. The audience will be familiarized with the fundamental economic and political developments, as well as the key areas of economic law to be studied in the series.