UCL Laws News
News Jan-Dec 2010
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Dec 2010 |
Alejandro Chetman publishes new book
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Student Law Society Client Interviewing Competition 2010The ability to interview clients professionally, effectively and with sensitivity is vital to a lawyer’s success. Legal professionals and clients alike can benefit from sound interviewing techniques. Over 160 of the faculty’s undergraduate students, on 80 teams, developed and tested these skills at this year’s Client Interviewing Competition 2010. In a series of six rounds, each addressing different factual and legal issues, student teams were faced with the challenge of acting as solicitors interviewing a new client, with first year students acting as clients. They were tasked with meeting professional rules of conduct while uncovering relevant information and dispensing appropriate client advice, all against the clock. As usual, the standard amongst UCL Laws students was high. Practitioners from the competition sponsor, Macfarlanes, acted as judges. After a close final round between two strong teams, second year students Samantha Page and Patrick Wharton won the UCL competition, in an exciting event held on 14 December. They will now move on to the regional finals of the national competition. The Client Interviewing Competition was organised this year by Nick Liew, UCL’s Student Law Society vocational officer. |
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Douglas Guilfoyle awarded Leverhulme Trust international network grant
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Nov 2010 |
Professor John Lowry Joins Research Grants Council of Hong Kong
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UCL Launches new Judicial Institute, the first of its kind in the UKUCL Laws celebrated the groundbreaking launch of its new Judicial Institute on Tuesday 16 November with an audience of over 200 guests, including a large number of members of the judiciary, as well senior policy makers, members of the legal profession and distinguished overseas judges. The subject of the event was a compelling panel discussion on 'The Future of Judging'. At a time when the judiciary is at an important crossroads, this event explored the changing roles of judges and the challenges facing the modern judiciary as a result of developments in politics and society, science and technology, law, litigation and globalisation. Co-Directors of the Judicial Institute, Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of Laws, and Professor Cheryl Thomas, UCL Laws Professor of Judicial Studies, opened with a presentation setting out the Judicial Institute's far-reaching programme of research, teaching and policy development. They were joined by the Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls, and Professor Richard Susskind OBE, IT Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice, who spoke openly and insightfully about current pressures on the justice system and what the future may hold for judges in both the short and long term. Joshua Rozenberg, the country's leading legal journalist and presenter of BBC's Law in Action, chaired the event and posed engaging questions. Click on the player below to view a gallery of images from the event, and select 'show info' for captions Acknowledging the significance of the judiciary and the importance of the occasion, Professor Thomas said: “There isn't a single important social issue that judges aren't asked at some point to adjudicate. But what has been absent up to now in this country is any academic programme dedicated to understanding the role of the judiciary as an institution of state and the role of the individual judge in society.” Hazel Genn, Dean of Laws said: “The Judicial Institute is a groundbreaking initiative that builds upon our faculty's world-leading expertise in Judicial Studies. The Institute is particularly well-placed at UCL to provide the necessary interdisciplinary approach to scholarship in this key subject area.” Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury said: “Given the important constitutional role played by our judiciary, this calls for serious study. This Institute, drawing on UCL's long tradition of excellence, is the ideal forum for that study.” Related links: |
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Faculty of Laws wins European Funding for New 'BEAMING' ProjectThe new BEAMING ('Being in Augmented Multi-Modal Naturally-Networked Gatherings') project will bring together leading research and development groups, companies and universities from eight European countries. The aim is to bring today's networking, computer vision, computer graphics, virtual reality, haptics, robotics and user interface technology together in a way that has never been tried before thereby transcending what is possible today. The goal is to produce a new kind of virtual transportation, where a person can be physically embodied interacting with life-sized people who may be thousands of kilometres away. Moreover, this is underpinned by the practical utilisation of recent advances in cognitive neuroscience in understanding the process whereby the brain represents our own body. Ray Purdy at UCL laws is leading the research on the legal/ethical issues of instantaneously transporting people from one physical place in the world to another. This project will run until the end of 2013. For more information: |
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Nov 2010 |
UCL brings Global Competition Law Series to IndiaUCL Laws hosted the first of a high-powered series of Global Competition Law conferences on 19 November 2010 in New Delhi. The conference entitled 'Implementing Competition Law and Policy: Global Perspectives' included major policymakers, heads of competition authorities, practitioners and academics from India, South Africa, Europe, Australia, the US and UK and was introduced by their Excellencies, Mr Veerapa Moily (Minister of Law and Justice of India) and Mr Salman Khurshid (Minister of State for Corporate Affairs of India).
Dr Ioannis Lianos of UCL Laws and Director of UCL's Centre for Law, Economics & Society, co-organiser of the conference said: "More than 100 jurisdictions have now developed competition law statutes and many actively enforce them. There is a pressing need to engage local antitrust communities in emerging jurisdictions in the discussions on the globalisation of competition law, its linkages with development and its enforcement in different social, institutional and cultural settings. The Global Competition Law & Economics series forms part of UCL's increasing engagement with the study of comparative competition law and global competition law enforcement. The Centre for Law, Economics & Society at UCL has signed a research partnership agreement with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and members of the UCL faculty participate actively to the work of the International Competition Network (ICN) and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development)." D. Daniel Sokol, Assistant Professor, University of Florida Levin College of Law and co-organiser of the conference stated: "The development of competition law and policy is an important factor in economic growth and country competitiveness. Our event in Delhi highlights some of the potential benefits of effective competition policy as well as some lessons learned of policy mistakes in the past." The conference was preceded by a one-day closed door workshop.
This launch event in Delhi kicks-off a new Global Competition Law & Economics series, to be published by Stanford University Press. The next event in this series is Competition Law & the State: Corporate Governance, Compliance & Antitrust' in Hong Kong (March 2011). Other conference are planned for London (Sept 2011) and Australia (Dec 2011 tbc). Read more: |
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UCL Centre for Commercial Law hosts seminar on the Relational Business CharterA very successful evening seminar hosted jointly by the Centre for Commercial Law and the Relationships Foundation on The Relational Business Charter: Towards reform of corporate structure and behaviour took place at UCL Laws on 10 November 2010. Dr Arad Reisberg, Director, UCL Centre for Commercial Law, chaired this seminar which included an Introduction by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, former Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who was featured in a related Guardian article.
Presentations were delivered by Dr Michael Schluter CBE, economist and Chief Executive, Relationships Global and Jonathan Rushworth, recently retired partner with Slaughter & May. Speakers explored the relationship issues which underline the company structure as a business entity. They outlined the principles and some detail of the relational business charter that rates companies in terms of their contribution to building social capital, their sustainability and the extent to which they run themselves as a community.
The presentations were followed by Q&A session and a lively discussion with invited senior academics, fund mangers, practitioners, representatives of City institutions and charities and students. The evening ended with a wine and light refreshments reception. This seminar ties in with one of the major goals underlying the activities of Centre for Commercial Law, namely, to bring together academics, practitioners, and industry participants to discuss topics of mutual interest and foster a productive dialogue. UCL Centre for Commercial Law |
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Ioannis Lianos contributes to Sixth United Nations Conference on Competition LawDr. Ioannis Lianos was invited to speak at the Sixth United Nations Conference on the revision of the UN Set of Principles and Rules on Competition that was held in Geneva on 8-12 November 2010. The UN Set is a multilateral agreement on competition policy that provides a set of equitable rules for the control of anti-competitive practices, recognises the development dimension of competition law and policy and offers a framework for international operation and exchange of best practices.
Every five years since the adoption of the United Nations Set, a Review Conference has been held, providing an occasion for heads of competition authorities and senior officials of developed and developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and economies in transition, to promote voluntary cooperation and the exchange of best practices. Dr. Lianos was invited to comment on Costa Rica's recent proposal to establish a consultation mechanism between competition authorities for non-confidential information. He also commented on the legal effect of the Set, a topic he explored in his seminal study on the Contribution of the United Nations to Global Competition Law, published in 2007. The Centre for Law, Economics and Society at UCL signed a research partnership agreement with UNCTAD in 2009.
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Benoît Battistelli gives first UK speech at Institute of Brand and Innovation Law EventBenoît Battistelli, newly-appointed President of the European Patent Office (EPO), gave a keynote speech to 350 guests at UCL's Institute of Brand and Innovation Law event on 8 November. The title of his talk was: How Can Europe Be a Key Player at Global Level in the Patent Field? What is the Role of the EPO? This was Mr Battistelli's first UK appearance as President of the EPO. This year, the EPO welcomed Serbia, its 38th member state. Mr Battistelli noted: “This means that with a single European Patent application, protection can now be obtained in up to 40 countries, covering an overall market of 600 million people. The European market is greater than the US, Japanese and South Korean markets combined.” The scope and scale of the EPO's mandate, and its influence, are considerable. While he cited current challenges for the EPO, Mr Battistelli emphasised the need to “finish building the European patent system” and the importance of doing so from an economic perspective. In future, he envisaged a single, unitary European patent system and was optimistic about the ability to export a successful European model worldwide. He added: “Through its vast expertise and considerable resources, the EPO is conscious not only of its potential but also of its responsibilities in assisting the European economy. It must do so not only as a centralised patent granting authority within the region, but as a global player representing Europe in the area of international technical cooperation, which is driving global integration in the patent area.” Related links: |
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Dr Sylvie Delacroix and Dr Ralph Wilde awarded Philip Leverhulme PrizesWe are delighted to announce that Dr Ralph Wilde and Dr Sylvie Delacroix of UCL Laws have each been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize 2010. These Prizes commemorate contributions to the work of the Leverhulme Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of the Founder. Each Leverhulme Prize has a value of £70,000. Prizes can be used for any purpose which will advance the Prize holder's research (over a two or three year period). Many congratulations to Sylvie and Ralph for their significant achievements. A description of Ralph Wilde’s research can be found on p. 3 of the Jan 2011 Leverhulme newsletter. Read more about: |
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Climate Change Governance After CopenhagenUCL Laws co-hosted a two day climate change conference in Hong Kong on 4 and 5 November. Reflecting the global nature of the climate change challenge, the conference brought together academics and practitioners from all parts of the world, including India, China, Australia and Singapore. "Climate change mitigation and adaptation is a problem that is both global and local, requiring solutions at all levels," said Professor Joanne Scott. "This was reflected in this conference programme, which examined the post-Copenhagen global environment and sustainable development in both London and Hong Kong." The four speakers from UCL addressed very different themes including the law and science interface in relation to carbon capture and storage
(Ian
Havercroft) and geo-engineering (Catherine Redgwell). Joanne Scott spoke about the multi-level governance of climate change with a focus on the EU, while This conference was a result of close collaboration between Professors Jolene Lin (HKU Law) and Joanne Scott (UCL Laws), which will lead to the publication of a special issue of the Carbon and Climate Law Review. Joanne
Scott added: "This collaboration is of immense value as it facilitates a bridging of Europe and Asia - two regions which are so crucial in meeting the challenge of climate change. This is just one example of partnership between our two faculties and universities [a joint conference entitled 'Civil Justice Reform: What has it Achieved?' was held in Hong Kong in April]. Exciting plans for continued collaboration are underway." Read more about: |
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UCL Laws Mishcon Lecture 2010: 'Do We Need Defence At All?'From international terrorism to foreign crises, natural hazards to cybercrime, Britons hear much about the numerous and impending threats to civil society. Recent events have put these issues on centre stage again, provoking anxious discussion at all levels about what can or should be done. But do these incidents constitute a real and imminent threat to the security of this country and its citizens? If so, what measures can or should be taken by the government in response? Simon Jenkins addressed these issues in a recent talk at UCL Laws on 2 November 2010, as part of the ongoing Mishcon Lecture series. The Mishcon Lectures were established at UCL in 1990, in honour of Lord Mishcon, and to mark his 75th birthday. They recognise his achievements and service in the fields of law, education, religion, government and politics. The eclectic nature of the lectures reflect UCL's wish to encompass as wide a spectrum of social, economic, moral, legal and political issues as possible, reflecting Lord Mishcon's career and interests. For more information: |
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Oct 2010 |
Cissy Chu Common Room Dedication CeremonyA significant gift from the Vinson Chu Charitable Foundation in Hong Kong is making a tangible difference to student life at UCL Laws. The driving force behind the gift was Hong Kong alumnus and Visiting Professor Winston Chu, who wished to honour his mother, Cissy Chu. On 5 October 2010, UCL President and Provost, Professor Malcolm Grant joined Winston's son Dr Chester Chu, Dean of UCL Laws, Professor Dame Hazel Genn, and Emeritus Professor Valentine Korah to dedicate the new Cissy Chu Common Room at Bentham House in London. They were joined by approximately 60 guests, including distinguished Chu Foundation Trustees Professors John White and Philip Treleaven, Bentham Association Chairman Edwin Glasgow CBE, QC, enthusiastic faculty members and appreciative students (many from Hong Kong and China). Related links: |
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UCL Centre for Commercial Law hosts Law & Finance WorkshopFaculty members and Research Students from Oxford, the LSE and UCL participated in the first 2010-11 meeting of the Law & Finance Workshop which took place at the Faculty of Laws, UCL. The Law & Finance Workshop (formerly Corporate & Financial Law Reading Group) is a joint initiative between UCL, Oxford and the LSE and is now in its fourth year. The objective is to provide a forum for discussion of common interests and work-in-progress presentations from Faculty members and research students whose work deals broadly with the intersection between law and finance.
The papers sparked a lively discussion which proved not only to be interesting and informative but also fun. The speakers found the discussion and feedback extremely useful for the development of their work. Read more about: |
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UCL hosts a debate on the EU After the Lisbon Treaty with Members of the European ParliamentUCL's Centre for Law and Governance in Europe (CLGE) hosted a vital debate on the future of the EU after the Lisbon Treaty. Almost a year after the Lisbon Treaty came into force, six months after the UK general election, and in light of current economic/budget challenges, the event discussed the future of the European Union project. Was Lisbon the end of European integration? Is it time to transfer certain powers back to Member States? Should the EU change its focus from market integration and free trade towards a more socially just and equal Europe? Four Members of the European Parliament discussed these, and other, timely questions, in particular the Sovereignty Bill that has been recently announced by the Prime Minister:
The EU After Lisbon debate was introduced by Sir Stephen Wall (Chair, UCL Council, Vice-Chair, Business for New Europe, former UK permanent representative to the EU) and was moderated by seasoned journalist David Rennie of The Economist. After initial statements from each MEP, the debate opened to the public for questions. Dr. Tobias Lock, Lecturer at UCL Laws and Co-Director of UCL's Centre for Law and Governance in Europe said: "MEPs are usually less restrained by daily political pressures than their national counterparts. I am therefore confident that the debate revealed their parties' true visions about the future of the EU and the UK's involvement in it." Dr. Ioannis Lianos, Reader in European and Competition law, and Dr. Nicola Countouris, Lecturer, both co-Directors of the CLGE added: "This debate is part of the CLGE's effort to promote a deep and continuous interaction between decision-makers, researchers and students of EU law and politics, as well as to promote the wider public's awareness of issues relating to European integration. It also illustrates UCL's increasing engagement to the interdisciplinary study of the different dimensions of the European project and Europe in general, in the context of the newly established European Institute at UCL". Read more about: |
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Gay Rights as Human Rights: UCL's Jurisprudence Review hosts International Panel
Yuvraj Joshi, editor-in-chief of UCL's Jurisprudence Review, said: "We are proud to host this gay rights panel as a part of our mandate of promoting dialogue about important legal and ethical issues. Gay rights are a pressing battle for sexual minorities with profound outcomes for law and society. This panel provides a platform for international gay rights experts to share their knowledge about gay equality and to imagine its future." The panel was attended by over 150 students, academics as well as members of civil society, including Human Rights Watch, International Lesbian and Gay Association and Liberty. The event, which launched the 16th volume of the Jurisprudence Review, was presented in association with Herbert Smith LLP.
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Iris Chiu Releases New BookHse-Yu (Iris) Chiu, Senior Lecturer at UCL Laws, has published a new book entitled The Foundations and Anatomy of Shareholder Activism. The book looks at contemporary institutional and hedge fund activism in the UK over the last 15-20 years and critically examines the foundations in law and corporate theory surrounding such activism. Further details can be found on the Hart Publishing website. Read more about: |
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Professor Michael Sandel delivers Ethics & Law Annual Lecture
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New Leonard Sainer Scholarships announcedLeonard Sainer was a law graduate and alumnus of University College London (1929 to 1932) and then became a prominent City solicitor, director of a number of public companies and a generous philanthropist. He died in 1991. |
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Sept 2010 |
Dr Ralph Wilde appointed to a Research Fellowship at NYUDr Ralph Wilde has been appointed Senior Global Research Fellow at NYU Law School for the first two terms of the 2010-11 academic year. Each year, NYU Law selects a few individuals from around the world as Global Research Fellows, enabling them to join the Law School to conduct research and participate in the intellectual life of the School, without any teaching requirements. Dr Wilde will be spending a period of research leave at NYU, working on the legal issues arising out of Kosovo's independence declaration, and the extraterritorial application of human rights law. Read more about: |
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ILA Study Group Proposes New Hague Principles for International CounselThe Centre for International Courts and Tribunals at UCL's Faculty of Laws has worked closely with an International Law Association (ILA) Study Group in adopting The Hague Principles for Counsel Appearing before International Courts and Tribunals. These principles represent a first-ever effort to identify minimum ethical standards for legal counsel across a range of international legal proceedings. The Hague Principles complement the ILA Study Group's 2005 Burgh House Principles on The Independence of the International Judiciary. The Study Group recognised a need to identify clear and transparent principles that would enable the highest standards of professional conduct for counsel, with a view to ensuring the integrity, justice and fairness of the international judicial process. The Hague Principles affirm the need to provide courts and counsel with practical guidance. They are mindful of the special challenges faced by counsel when practising in a non-national context. Links: |
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Tobias Lock Book Released
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Selecting International Judges: Principle, Process and PoliticsInternational courts play an increasingly important role in all of our lives, yet very little is known about who the judges are, how candidates are selected at the national level, and then how international elections take place, according to the newest publication from The Centre for International Courts and Tribunals (CICT) at UCL Laws. The book, co-authored by Philippe Sands QC and Penny Martin of UCL, Professor Kate Malleson of Queen Mary, University of London and Ruth Mackenzie, University of Westminster, sets out the compelling findings of a three-year research project on 'Process and Legitimacy in the Nomination, Election and Appointment of International Judges', funded by the Arts and Research Council. The aim of the research was to identify the processes used by various states to nominate and elect international judges, as well as crucial criteria that play a role in the nomination and election process. "What the research shows, at the very least," said Sands, "is the need for greater transparency, for new criteria, and for the adoption of formal processes." Selecting International Judges: Principle, Process and Politics is published by Oxford University Press. Links: |
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Dr Ralph Wilde Delivers Human Rights Lectures in China
The text of the lectures will be published by Brill/Nijhoff in the Collected Courses of the Academy. Read more about: |
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Philippe Sands QC on the legality of the Iraq WarProfessor Philippe Sands was interviewed on 5 September 2010 by Kate Silverton on Radio 5 Live. This in-depth and lively discussion, some 30 minutes in length, covers important topics including international law, the legality of the Iraq War, Tony Blair, the Chilcot Inquiry, crimes of aggression, freedom of information, and whether life is truly stranger than fiction. To hear more: Read more about: |
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UCL Laws students selected for The British Graduate 100The Graduate 100 is an initiative that profiles and promotes Britain's highest-achieving final and penultimate year students. Amongst some 13,000 nominees from 70 universities nationwide, Chris Reid and Aida Tohala, graduates from UCL's Faculty of Laws, made it into the final 100. This is a fantastic result which reflects well on the notable achievements of these two students, on our Laws graduates in general, and on the excellence of our teaching. The annual Graduate 100 Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding graduates. These are the individuals leaving university each year, across all disciplines, who are tipped to become Britain's next generation of future leaders. This year's Graduate 100 Awards and Gala Dinner take place on 15 September 2010 at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. Read more about: |
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August 2010 |
Faculty recognition - Laws staff achievementsCongratulations to Richard Macrory on his appointment as Master of the Bench at Gray's Inn, one of the four Inns of Court. Congratulations to Jeffrey Jowell QC, Visiting Professor and former Dean of UCL Laws, on his recent appointment as the Director of the new Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, within the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. We look forward to developing closer ties and collaborating with the Bingham Centre in future. A number of Laws staff have also been awarded recently with promotions for their excellent contributions to teaching and research. Congratulations to Jane Holder who has been promoted to Professor of Environmental Law. Congratulations to Lucinda Miller, Jonathan Rogers and Fiona Smith who have been promoted to Senior Lecturer. All internal Laws promotions will take effect on 1 October 2010. These appointments and promotions represent considerable achievement, and we congratulate our colleagues on their fine work. Read more about: |
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July 2010 |
Jevons Institute conference on Competition in Digitial Media and the Internet
Dr David S. Evans, Executive Director of the Jevons Institute, Visiting Professor UCL Laws and Lecturer, University of Chicago Law School said: "Some internet businesses have grown rapidly through network effects, with Facebook alone topping 500 million users in its very short history. The conference will provide an opportunity to discuss how to deal with the highly dynamic, web-based economy and the large and complex businesses that are revolutionising how we obtain content and how we interact with each other." Dr Antonio Bavasso, Executive Director, Jevons Institute, Visiting Professor, UCL Laws and Partner, Allen & Overy added: "Antitrust law and regulation have an important role to play to ensure that creation and innovation are promoted, and consumers are protected, in this dynamic part of the economy. A number of regulators and competition authorities have been asked to scrutinise the behaviour of market players in digital media. This Colloquium provides a platform for discussion among international experts and enforcers about the most appropriate enforcement tools and priorities." |
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June 2010 |
Dr John Tasioulas appointed Quain Chair in Jurisprudence
In January 2011, John Tasioulas will take-up his post as Quain Chair of Jurisprudence at UCL's Faculty of Laws. This full-time appointment confirms the importance of jurisprudence (the theory and philosophy of law) within the faculty, and of our ongoing mission to deliver world-class teaching and research at UCL Laws. Dr Tasioulas joins an internationally-distinguished list of past holders of the Quain Chair in Jurisprudence, including Ronald Dworkin, Glanville Williams, Lord Lloyd of Hampstead QC and Jerry Cohen. As Quain Professor at UCL Laws, Dr Tasioulas will join an active group of colleagues. In addition to contributing to our LLB and LLM programmes, together with supervising PhD students, his role will include teaching on the cross-disciplinary MA in Legal and Political Theory, contributing to the work of several research centres, including the Centre for Ethics and Law and the Institute for Human Rights, with involvement in the student-produced UCL Jurisprudence Review . He will also chair the annual Colloquium in Law and Social Philosophy, and promote knowledge transfer through engagement activities with academic colleagues, the legal community and the general public. John Tasioulas is currently a Reader in Moral and Legal Philosophy at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He has held visiting positions at the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne. His recent writings have focused on philosophical issues regarding punishment, human rights and international law. Professor Dame Hazel Genn QC, Dean of UCL's Faculty of Laws said: "I am very pleased with the appointment of John Tasioulas to the Quain Chair in Jurisprudence. He is a legal philosopher known for his pioneering work in the philosophy of international law and of human rights, and for his profound contribution to the philosophy of punishment. He embodies values that are central to the study of law at UCL: a global perspective, academic excellence and a commitment to exploring ethical issues." Quain Professor is a title given for certain disciplines at University College London. The title is derived from Richard Quain (1800-1887) who became Professor of Anatomy in 1832 at what was then to become UCL. He left funds to the University that endowed professorships for four subjects: Jurisprudence, Botany, English Language and Literature, and Physics. Read more about: |
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UCL Centre for Ethics & Law hold inaugural Think Tank debate in conjunction with AstraZenecaOn Thursday 1 July, the UCL Centre for Ethics & Law held its inaugural Think Tank debate in conjunction with AstraZeneca. The Think Tank series involves a selection of real-life case studies on dilemnas currently facing companies, which lie at the interface between ethics and regulatory compliance. The debates provide a forum whereby industry and academic thought leaders, along with current UCL students, can engage in a challenging exchange of ideas. The topic of the first debate, which was led by AstraZeneca's Global Compliance Policy Director Paul Woods, was Health Literacy and Provision of Information by Pharmaceutical Companies on Prescription Medicines. This case study formed the basis of a stimulating evening's discussion involving participants from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. The participants in the debate were:
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Dr Arad Reisberg's interview with CEB TV and supporting media coverage of his keynote Address at Madrid Corporate Governance conference released.
The theme of the conference held on 13 April 2010 at San Pablo University, Madrid was 'Corporate Governance and the Rights and Obligations of Minority Shareholders and Securities Issuers'. Dr Reisberg's Address was titled 'Directors' Duties and Enforcement of Breaches of Duties through Private Litigation after Recent Reforms in the UK'. Dr Arad Reisberg provided the Keynote Address in a one-day conference organised by the Chair of Financial Markets Law (CDMF) at San Pablo University, Madrid, supported by AEMEC (Spanish Association of Minority Shareholders of Quoted Companies) and the recently created Spanish Issuers Association (IBEX35), which gathers the 30 most important companies of the Spanish stock exchange. Links: |
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Prof. Maria Lee appears on the Radio4 live debating programme The Moral Maze
Who should we trust to keep us safe? In a week when the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is headline news around the world topics debated included:
Witnesses: Links: |
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Douglas Guilfoyle (UCL) and Ian Scobbie (SOAS) speak on the legality of the Gaza blockade
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Professor Philippe Sands chairs talks and interviews at The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts
These included (descriptions from notes in the Festival programme) Thomas Buergenthal, The Hague judge, who discussed his memoir of surviving Auschwitz as a young boy. Read report, Listen here Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, The French Ambassador to London about ambassadorial life and his role as senior foreign policy adviser to President Chirac in the run-up to the Iraq war considered the French perspective in the run up to the Iraq War. Listen here Douglas Hurd and Edward Young , The politician and his co-author discussed the history of The British Foreign Secretary: Two Centuries of Personalities and Conflict from Waterloo to the 'special relationship' in a talk titled 'Choose Your Weapons'. Read more about: |
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Ioannis Lianos appointed editor of new Global Competition Law and Policy series
The creation of the series reflects the increasingly global nature of competition law and policy. It is a unique series in terms of the quality of its advisory and editorial board that comprises the top academics in law and economics of competition & regulatory policy from Noth America, Europe, Asia, South America, Oceania and Africa and its ambition is to promote an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective in the study of competition law and policy. The series will publish monographs and edited volumes that take into account the global dimension of the competition law and policy enterprise. The first two volumes will be on the limits of competition law and on the relation between levels of development and competition law. More than 100 countries have now adopted competition law statutes and during the last decade we have witnessed an internationalization of competition law with the creation of the International Competition Network and the work of UNCTAD, WTO and the OCDE. Links: |
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May 2010 |
Douglas Guilfoyle interviewed on the BBC Today Programme and the World Tonight
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UCL Centre for Ethics and Law featured in The TimesThe UCL Centre for Ethics and Law is featured today (18 May 2010) in a special edition of The Times' Raconteur supplement on business ethics. In an article titled 'Eyes on ethics as companies come under scrutiny', Centre director Dr Marc Moore discusses the changing nature of regulatory compliance in the field of business ethics, and the challenges posed by the new Bribery Act 2010. The Raconteur supplement also features Centre steering committee members Sam Eastwood (Norton Rose LLP) and Philippa Foster Back (Institute of Business Ethics). Read more about: |
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Tobias Lock wins the Schmitz-Nüchterlein-Foundation Nuremberg Research Prize
The content of the thesis can be summarised as follows: The growing number of international courts and tribunals has led to conflicts of jurisdiction and conflicts of interpretation. Due to the European Union's increasing activity on the international plane, the European Court of Justice has not been immune from these conflicts. Before the background of the ECJ's exclusive jurisdiction, the thesis discusses relationship between the European Court and international courts, such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the WTO dispute settlement mechanism and the European Court of Human Rights. The thesis examines whether the solutions found in international law can be applied to the ECJ. The focus of the book is on the ECJ's exclusive jurisdiction, and most importantly on the question whether international courts must respect that jurisdiction. A further focus is on the present and future relationship between the ECJ and the ECtHR. Read more about: |
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The third in a series of seminars organised jointly by UCL Centre for Commercial Law and Slaughter And May addresses Corporate Governance challengesThe major goal of these joint seminars is to bring together academics, practitioners, and industry participants to discuss topics of mutual interest and foster a productive dialogue. The third seminar was held at Slaughter And May offices and took place on Wednesday 12 May. The occasion brought together academics, practitioners, industry participants and students to discuss the topic of 'Beyond the Crisis: Current Issues in Corporate Governance'. A brief presentation from each of the invited Panel of Experts was followed by Q&A session and a discussion between participants. The evening ended with a wine and light refreshments reception. The Panel of Experts was chaired by Dr Arad Reisberg (Vice-Dean, UCL & Director, UCL Centre for Commercial Law) and included Daragh Fagan (Thomson Reuters), Nick Gould (Ince & Co), Professor John Lowry (Professor of Law at UCL and Vice-Dean), Dr Marc Moore (Lecturer in laws at UCL) and Richard Smith
Participants assessed current issues and challenges affecting the governance practices of listed UK companies in light of the Companies Act 2006 and more recent regulatory initiatives in the field. In particular, the Panel of experts discussed the inter-relationship between statutory, common law and "soft law" (e.g. the Combined Code) rules in establishing behavioural norms and expectations applicable to corporate directors and officers today. Some of the issues/questions explored include the following:
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'Macrory' Powers put into actionThe Government got through the first set of regulations granting 'Macrory' powers to named regulators. This means that the scheme is now for real rather than simply framework powers in the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. The range of new civil powers - which have been welcomed by the NFU and EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, will increase the options available to regulators and include fixed and variable monetary penalties and compliance notices. The Environment Agency and Natural England became the first regulators to be given new civil powers that will give them greater flexibility to enforce environmental law, making the system more efficient and effective for both regulators and businesses. Lord Tunnicliffe in the Grand Committee considering Environmental Civil Sanctions said, "Most people and businesses set out to comply with the law. Clear regulation, raising awareness, and authoritative advice and guidance from regulators remain the key to securing compliance. Enforcement is a small but necessary part of effective regulation. Following the report on regulatory sanctions by Professor Richard Macrory, it is clear that enforcement has relied too much on criminal prosecution and fines. Prosecution is sometimes heavy-handed, but there is often no proportionate alternative. Sometimes enforcement is inadequate because a sanction is necessary but nothing proportionate is available. The Government wish to give the Environment Agency and Natural England the option to use the civil sanctions allowed by the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. The order and regulations, which introduce these civil sanctions in England, are a first crucial step in creating a system of enforcement across environmental regulation in England and Wales. The system will be fairer, more proportionate, and more effective, so it delivers better outcomes." Read more about: |
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New Appointments: Professor Charles Mitchell and Dr Paul Mitchell Professor appointed to a Chair in LawWe are delighted to announce that Professor Charles Mitchell and Dr Paul Mitchell have each been appointed to a Chair in Law and will join UCL for the new academic year.
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Cyril Glasser in MemoriamIt is with great sadness that we announce the death of Professor Cyril Glasser. He taught Civil Litigation on the LLM at UCL for many years and will be sadly missed. Professor Cyril Glasser was a former Managing Partner of the law firm Sheridans and a consultant with the firm. In 1999 he was the first private practice solicitor to be appointed a Companion of St Michael & St George for services to International Law and Justice. During his career Cyril specialized in heavy litigation and advice in entertainment and media, defamation, public law, local authorities, education and charities and was involved in high profile cases in those areas. He represented many well-known public figures, leading popular music artists and composers. He was solicitor to the Press Complaints Commission since its establishment in 1991. |
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Ray Purdy interviewed about his ESRC research on environmental law monitoring and enforcement using satellite technologies
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April
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UCL Centre for Commercial Law hosts a 2-day International Round-Table on Corporate Finance
To assist in preparing a major new title Corporate Finance Law: UK and EU Perspectives to be published by OUP , edited by Dan Prentice (UCL; Oxford; Erskine Chambers) and Arad Reisberg, the Commercial Law Centre organized an invitation only Round-Table to examine, from a comparative perspective, the various draft chapters. In addition to identifying the issues that are likely to take centre stage in the next decade or so (such as regulatory reforms which are of present concern), the title combines perspectives from practice, legal theory, and doctrinal analysis to present a comprehensive examination of the questions facing the current understanding and future application of corporate finance law. It brings together contributions from international leadings experts in this area. The Round-Table took place on 28-29 April at UCL and kicked off with an afternoon session on Debt Financing which was co-chaired by Richard C Nolan (Cambridge; Erskine Chambers) and Dan Prentice (UCL; Oxford; Erskine Chambers). Following the system used at A.N.U. by Professor Paul Finn, the papers were not delivered on the day. They were briefly introduced by persons other than their authors and the authors had a right of reply to the introduction before the discussion. The first afternoon session was followed by a reception and the Roundtable Dinner generously sponsored by Orrick LLP . During the dinner a Keynote Address was delivered by the Rt Hon Lady Justice Arden DBE . A number of commentators, leading academics and practitioners, were invited to lead the discussion at each session over the two days, both the discussions and presentations were highly intellectually stimulating.
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Dr Arad Reisberg provided the Keynote Address at Madrid 'Corporate Governance and the Rights and Obligations of Minority Shareholders and Securities Issuers' conference.
The theme of the conference held on 13 April 2010 at San Pablo University, Madrid was 'Corporate Governance and the Rights and Obligations of Minority Shareholders and Securities Issuers'. Dr Reisberg's Address was titled 'Directors' Duties and Enforcement of Breaches of Duties through Private Litigation after Recent Reforms in the UK'. A short article covering Dr Reisberg's speech will appear shortly in La revista Consejeros: Read more about: |
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UCL win the International Rounds of the Telders Moot Court CompetitionUCL has won the International Rounds of the Telders Moot Court Competition, which took place at the Peace Palace in the Hague over the weekend. The team members were Dimitrios Katsikis, Saara Idelbi, and Laura Thompson.
The Respondent team, consisting of Dimitrios Katsikis and Laura Thompson also won the award for the best oral performance in the preliminary rounds. The team was coached by Sahib Singh and Tamara Jaber. |
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UCL co-hosts Civil Justice Reform Conference in Hong Kong
UCL and Hong Kong University hosted a two-day conference on Civil Justice Reform: What has it achieved? on 15 & 16 April 2010. The conference brought together UK, Canadian, Australian and Hong Kong judiciary, academics and legal practitioners, including the Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lord Justice Rupert Jackson, and Chief Justice Andrew Li and Chief Justice elect, Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma, of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal to a packed audience at the Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong. The conference received generous support from individual donors Dr Hon David Li and distinguished UCL Laws alumnus Winston Chu . The main themes of the conference from both a Hong Kong and international comparative perspective were:
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Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of the Faculty of Laws, invited to Chair the ESRC Professorial Fellows Competition
The scheme offers Fellows with an outstanding track record in research the time and funding to pursue an exciting research agenda, and to carry out innovative and creative work that will have economic, social and policy impacts. Read more about: |
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Professor Maria Lee has been awarded an UK Arts and Humanities Council ( AHRC) Fellowship
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Jane Holder has been appointed to Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Peer Review College for the new postgraduate training centres. If you want to read further, please see the ESRC website: Read more about: |
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Ray Purdy and Professor Philip Schofield have been appointed to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Peer Review College.
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Professor James Penner appointed to UK Arts and Humanities Council (AHRC) College Member
The UK Arts and Humanities Council is one of the main funders of academic research in the UK. This important role involves James in reviewing proposals and final reports received to AHRC various funding schemes and programmes. The period of appointment as a College member runs for 4.5 years from 1 June 2010 to 31 December 2014. Congratulations James. Read more about: |
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March 2010 |
UCL Laws Distinguished Judicial Visitor appointed to Supreme Court
The court hears appeals of law of the greatest public importance, and is the ultimate check and balance that law is correctly and fairly, applied.Its jurisdiction covers the UK in civil cases, and England, Wales and Northern Ireland in criminal cases. Lord Justice Dyson said: "I am honoured and delighted to be appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court and am excited by the challenge of joining such a distinguished court and the prospect of deciding the most important legal issues of the day." Lord Justice Dyson was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1968 and practiced at Keating Chambers where he rapidly established a wide and varied practice including appearance in the House of Lords in the leading conflict of laws case, Boys v Chaplin [1971] AC 356. Subsequent appearances in the House of Lords included Peabody v Parkinson [1985] AC 210 and St Martins v McAlpine [1994] 1 AC 85. He took Silk in 1982. In 1986 he accepted an invitation to become Head of Chambers at 39 Essex Street and was a Recorder between 1986-93; High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench Division) 1993-2001; Presiding Judge (Technology and Construction Court) 1998-2001; Lord Justice of Appeal 2001- ; Deputy Head of Civil Justice 2003-2006. |
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UCL Laws students contribute response to major UK corporate governance consultationA group of students from the LLM course Corporate Governance in the UK and US have contributed a response to the Financial Reporting Council December 2009 consultation on reform of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The submission has now been published by the FRC, alongside other responses to the consultation, at: See the UCL Law Students' submission as a PDF: The response was co-written by Steven Slade, Folake Fawehinmi, Nikoletta Kleftouri, Glenn Donnelly, Joe Segilia, Chrispas Nyombi, Ying Xu, Folajimi Alli-Balogun, Giedre Berberausaite, and Marc Moore. The FRC is due to publish its revised version of the Code (taking into account the responses received) in May, with the revised Code due to come into effect for company financial year beginning on or after 1 June 2010. Read more about: |
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Centre for Law and Economics to work with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on International Competition LawThe UCL Centre for Law and Economics (Public Policy section) has concluded an agreement with the Competition Policy and Consumer Protection branch of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for research collaboration in the field of international competition law. UNCTAD is the focal point on all work related to competition law and policy, consumer protection and competitiveness within the United Nations system which, in turn, lies within its mandate to deal with trade and development issues. The UCL Centre for Law and Economics and UNCTAD will develop joint activities of mutual interest. These activities include: A dedicated team at the UCL Centre for Law and Economics will work on the review of the experience gained in the implementation of the United Nations Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices (UN Set), including voluntary peer reviews and on the role of competition policy in promoting economic development. The team will be led by Dr. Ioannis Lianos and will also include Professor Abel Mateus, Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Law and Economics at UCL (formerly first president of the Portuguese Competition Authority and Senior Economist at the World Bank) and Javier Tapia (OFGEM and PhD student at UCL). This collaboration will build on Ioannis Lianos' seminal work on the legal nature of the UN set, from an international law perspective and on the interaction of competition with development published in 2007. Links |
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UCL Success at Annual French Law Moot
Seven Universities took part in the competititon which was divided-up in three rounds, with the final judged by a solicitor from Gide Loyrette, Francois-Xavier Lucas (Professor at Paris II Panthe'on-Assas University) and Mr Alain Lacabarats, President of the Third Civil Chamber of the French Court of Cassation.
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UCL Human Rights Moot CompetitionThe Institute for Human Rights would like to congratulate the winners of the Human Rights Moot Competition which took place in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The winners of the Mooting Final were: Presiding over the final were Judges Christos Rozakis (President), Dean Spielmann and Sverre Erik Jebens. Afterwards Judge Rozakis praised the students for their impeccable delivery and the quality of their arguments. Judge Dean Spielman also hosted a reception for our group. This particular mooting competition is unique to UCL and, as the founding organisation, the Institute for Human Rights hopes to develop and expand the programme next year to include other university participants. Links: |
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February 2010 |
UCL Wins the UK National Rounds of the Telders International Law Moot CompetitionUCL's Cassandra Heugh, Dimitris Katsikis, Laura Thompson and Saara Idelbi produced excellent performances to win the UK rounds of the Telders International Law Moot Competition. In doing so they completed a double win for UCL in international law moot competitions - with the other win coming last week in the Jessup.The UCL team overcame stiff competition from LSE, Kings, BPP, Durham and Reading to obtain the only UK place in the International Rounds being held in the Peace Palace, The Hague in April 2010. Having dedicated four months to dealing with complex issues of international law, they were rewarded for their outstanding knowledge of the issues and advocacy skills. The team was coached by Sahib Singh with assistance from Tamara Jaber. |
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UCL's Jessup Team are UK ChampionsThe UCL Jessup team beat 19 other teams at the UK Nationals of the competition over the weekend to become the UK Champions. Having beaten Kings College in the Semi-final, UCL went on to face Oxford University in the Grand Final where they appeared before a panel of 6 judges, including Sir Michael Wood and Professor Robert McCorquodale. Jennifer Lim also received an award for the best oralist in the Grand Final.
The team is made up of 5 UCL Laws students: Rayan Imam (LL.M), Jennifer Lim (2rd year LL.B), Hui-min Loh (2rd year LL.B) and A Melina Padron (LL.M) and Shermarke Hussein (LL.M) UCL will be representing the UK in the International Finals of the Jessup competition in Washington DC at the end of March 2010 . They will be joined by Oxford University and Lincoln's Inn. The team is coached by Claire van Overdijk and Dr. Douglas Guilfoyle, ably assisted by the team advisers Annabel Lee, Mateja Strumelj and Professor Alejandro Escobar. |
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PhD Student presents paper at SMI 4th Annaul Conference
Parallel Trade of Pharmaceuticals has been an activity that has provoked much of controversy in Europe due to its ambiguous welfare results. Deni's paper explored the divergent regulatory techniques and objectives of pharmaceutical price regulation in a number of European countries so as prove that Parallel Trade mainly proliferates due to the absence of community harmonization on the issue. It also considers the implications of Parallel Trade in the Common Market by taking a closer look at the factual background and the rulings of the Court of Justice at the Spanish and Greek GSK cases. The outcome of these cases, which can be considered as a victory for both opposing parties, reveals that the Court stayed to a deontological approach to the objective of market integration by considering that limiting parallel trade is by its object anti-competitive, but at the same time offering to the defendant (the pharmaceutical industry) some possibility of justifying its policies. However, a reading of the case in light of constitutional considerations reveals that the Court, in the absence of Community harmonization, took a balance of interests approach between Member States who favor allocative efficiency and Member States who favour productive and dynamic efficiency. (distributive justice considerations for tax-payers vs. R&D and innovation). |
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Groundbreaking research finds juries are fair and effective
Are juries fair? is a two-year long survey of more than 1,000 jurors at Crown Courts and a separate study of over 68,000 jury verdicts. In the report, sensitive issues about jury decision-making have been tackled for the first time in this country, including racial discrimination, jury conviction rates, juror comprehension, improper conduct, juror use of the internet and media coverage of jury trials. It reveals that:
It also shows that:
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: 'The jury system is working, and working well. The study's findings on the fairness of jury decisions, including for people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, will help to maintain public confidence in juries and the jury system. But we cannot allow complacency about the justice system. We will carefully consider the recommendations for helping jurors do their job to the best of their ability.' Professor Thomas, of the Faculty's Centre for Empirical Legal Studies, is the country's leading jury expert. She said 'This research shows that juries in England and Wales were found to be fair, effective and efficient. But it is also clear from the research that jurors want and need better information to perform this crucial role. The study recommends that all sworn jurors be issued with written guidelines explaining what improper conduct is, including use of the internet, and how and when to report it. The study also recommends that judges consider issuing jurors with written instructions on the law to be applied in each case. Both changes will help maintain the integrity of the jury system.' Links: Read the full report Are juries fair? |
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Professor Cheryl Thomas - new appointment
The project recognises the crucial importance of the judiciary in the well being and good governance of democratic societies, and is designed to address the current lack of empirical research and study of the judiciary in law faculties in Europe. Read more about Menu for Justice here |
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Professor John Lowry elected Distinguished Global Jurist
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UCL Carbon Capture Legal Programme's forthcoming 'Global Legal Symposium on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)' ConferenceA generous donation from the Global CCS Institute (Canberra, Australia) has enabled the UCL Carbon Capture Legal Programme to host a 'Global Legal Symposium on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)', in conjunction with New York University School of Law, on the 15th- 16th of March 2010. The Global CCS Institute, of which UCL was the first academic founding member, is an independent legal entity established under the auspices of the Australian government with the aim of accelerating the worldwide commercial deployment of CCS. This Symposium will assemble the world's leading CCS regulatory and policy experts in order to examine CCS-specific laws and regulations being developed worldwide as well as key legal gaps and obstacles that still need to be addressed to ensure an effective deployment of this technology. In particular, this event will focus on a comparative analysis of current and emerging CCS regulatory regimes being developed in the United States, Europe and Australia. This event will also provide the opportunity for participants to discuss and provide input on the International Energy Agency's forthcoming Model CCS Regulation, which is being developed with the assistance of the UCL Carbon Capture Legal Programme. For more information, please contact us i.havercroft@ucl.ac.uk. |
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UCL Jurisprudence Review welcomes its alumni
The UCL Jurisprudence Review, the UK's first academic student law review, welcomed previous editors and contributors to its first Alumni Reunion. Editor-in-Chief, Yuvraj Joshi, welcomed alumni on behalf of the editorial board, which has grown from two students in 1994 to twenty this year. Dean of UCL Laws, Professor Dame Hazel Genn, congratulated the Review on its impressive reach, from the law libraries of Yale and Columbia to universities in Africa. Presentations were also made by the Review's founder, Professor Stephen Guest, and its first Editor-in-Chief and partner at Howrey LLP in Brussels, Stephen Mavroghenis (pictured right). |
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Dr Arif Jamal was awarded his Ph.D.Dr Arif Jamal was awarded his Ph.D. on 28 January 2010 for his thesis entitled: Liberal theory and Islam: (Re)imagining the interaction of religion, law, state and society in Muslim contexts Arif’s thesis addresses the global phenomenon of the (re)emergence of religion into issues of public debate. The central argument is that liberal theory, and justice as discourse in particular, though it may have emerged in a different social and cultural milieu, can be normatively useful in Muslim contexts for relating religion, law, state and society. It is argued first, that Muslim contexts are facing issues similar to those out of which liberal theory emerged. Additionally, it is argued that both Muslim contexts and liberal theory are dynamic and continually developing and that this shared dynamism means that there may be space for convergence of the two. Arif was supervised by Professor Alison Diduck of the Faculty of Laws and Professor Cecile Laborde of the Department of Political Science, School of Public Policy. |
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Professor Philip Schofield on Bentham's 'Corpse and Corpus'Professor Schofield will give a Lunch Hour Lecture about Bentham at UCL's Darwin Lecture Theatre on Thursday 11 February, marking the anniversary of UCL's foundation on the 11 February 1826. Professor Philip Schofield explains and explodes some of the myths surrounding Jeremy Bentham, whose corpse resides in UCL's South Cloisters, and explores the jurist, philosopher and legal and social reformer's remarkable life and work. Links: |
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January 2010 |
Professor Dawn Oliver - new appointments
The Study of Parliament Group was founded in 1964. It exists to study the working of Parliament and Parliamentary institutions, and other related aspects of Parliamentary government and political science, and to advance public knowledge of these subjects. The Group has about 150 members, most of whom are either academics with an interest in the Group's work or Parliamentary officials. Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court which have the exclusive right to Call men and women to the Bar. The Inn is governed by the Masters of the Bench who are usually senior members of the judiciary or Queen's Counsel. The Head of the Inn is the Treasurer. Links: |
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New Book Release: Dr Ioannis Lianos, The Reform of EC Competition Law - New ChallengesResponding to external and internal pressure for change the slow reform of EC competition law since the 1989 Merger Regulation can now be seen as a major thread rather than a series of peripheral developments. Now, a body of 'new' law may be discerned that encompasses several far-reaching regulations as well as their clarification and extension by official guidelines, discussion papers, ECJ decisions, and legal scholarship. Twenty-nine prominent competition law authorities – representing all three 'estates' (practice, administrative regulation, and academe) – bring their deeply informed knowledge and perspectives on this crucially important body of law to the table. The many issues they address include the following:
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UCL's Jurisprudence Review, the first student law journal of the UK, hosted an international panel discussion on gay rights as human rights. In light of ongoing gay rights debates around the world, the panel explored some reasons for the marginal status of gay issues within the law. The panel was held at UCL's Faculty of Laws and chaired by Sir John Dyson of the UK Supreme Court. Speakers included Peter Tachell (pictured right), global human rights activist, and Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director of Lambda Legal.
On Thursday 7 October, the UCL Centre for Ethics & Law held its second annual lecture, 'The Moral Limits of Markets'. The lecture was delivered by Professor Michael Sandel, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University. In a lively and interactive session involving the participation of a number of members of the audience, Professor Sandel explored the question: "are there some things that money can’t, or shouldn’t buy?" The lecture was chaired by Richard Alderman, Director of the UK government’s Serious Fraud Office and an alumnus of the UCL Faculty of Laws.
Dr Ralph Wilde has recently delivered a series of ten lectures on the extraterritorial application of human rights law at the Xiamen Academy of International Law in China. Each year the Academy invites leading global experts in international law to deliver lectures at the Academy to students drawn from more than 30 countries around the world, particularly Asia. This year Dr Wilde lectured alongside Professor Christine Chinkin of LSE, Professor Michael Reisman of Yale Law School, and Judge Abdul Koroma of the UN's International Court of Justice in the Hague. Dr Wilde previously represented the UK government at a diplomatic meeting with the Chinese government in Beijing to discuss China's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, one of the treaties discussed in the lectures. 
Joaquin Almunia, the Competition Commissioner (European Commission), delivered the keynote address at the 2010 Jevons Institute annual colloquium on Competition in Digital Media and the Internet - The Related Roles of Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Regulation. The conference brought together heads of authorities, senior enforcers, business representatives, academics, and leading experts from the EU and US to discuss this set of issues. John Fingleton, OFT's Chief Executive and Willard Tom, the General Counsel of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Ed Richards, Ofcom's Chief Executive, also gave a keynote address.
UCL Laws is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr John Tasioulas as its new Quain Chair of Jurisprudence. 
Prof. Maria Lee appeared this week on the "provocative" live Radio4 live debating programme The Moral Maze which examines the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories, chaired by Michael Buerk. 
Sir Robin Jacob to lead Intellectual Property Law at UCL
Philippe Sands,
Ioannis Lianos has been appointed as one of the three general editors of the newly created Global Competition Law and Policy series which will be launched next academic year by Stanford University Press. Ioannis is the only European member of the general editors, the other two general editors represent North American and Asian jurisdictions.
Dr Charles Mitchell is currently a Fellow and Tutor in Law at Jesus College, Oxford. He read Modern History at Magdalen College, Oxford, then studied for a Diploma in Law at City University and an LLM at UCL, where he also wrote a PhD thesis under the supervision of the late Peter Birks. Before joining Jesus College in 2009 he taught at King's College London, where he successively held the posts of Lecturer in Law (1996-2002), Reader in Law (2002-4), and Professor of Law (2004-9).
Dr Paul Mitchell, BA, DPhil (Oxon), joined King’s in 2000, having previously taught at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford. He took both his undergraduate law degree and his doctorate at Magdalen College, Oxford where he was the Senior Mackinnon Scholar.
Dr Arad Reisberg provided the Keynote Address in a one-day conference organised by the Chair of Financial Markets Law (CDMF) at San Pablo University, Madrid, supported by AEMEC (Spanish Association of Minority Shareholders of Quoted Companies) and the recently created Spanish Issuers Association (IBEX35), which gathers the 30 most important companies of the Spanish stock exchange. 
Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Dean Faculty of Laws, has been invited to Chair the ESRC Professorial Fellows Competition this year 
Jane holder has been appointed to ESRC Peer Review College for the new postgraduate training centres. 
Peer Review lies at the very heart of the ESRC's operations, and they are fully committed to the 
James Penner has been appointed to UK Arts and Humanities Council (AHRC) College Member. 
Lord Justice Dyson, a Distinguished Judicial Visitor in Laws, has been appointed as the 12th Supreme Court Justice. Sir John Dyson joins 11 other justices who are the "final arbiters" between citizens and the state.
UCL was victorious at the Annual French Law Moot, held at St Catherine's College, Oxford.
Congratulations to the whole team composed of Law with French Law second year students - Alexander Murugasu; Daria Popescu; Yannick Hefti and Boris Sterk and of Affiliate students from France Isabelle Lemoynes de Forges and Anne-Sophie Verd. 
All the mooting was undertaken in French, regarding a French Law property case, following French Law procedure. It was a terrific experience for UCL, students and the coaching team, Mme Laure Sauve, Dr Myriam Hunter-Henin and Mr Rodney Austin. Alexander Murugasu and Daria Popescu, our finalists, were amazingly convincing and WON! Our second team of Mooters - Isabelle Lemoynes de Forges and Anne-Sophie Verd reached the semi-finals and Yannick Hefti and Boris Sterk offered their invaluable research efforts and support throughout.Well done to all.
Ms. Deni Mantzari, first year PhD student at the Faculty of Laws, presented a paper on 'Impact of the GSK cases on Parallel Imports of Pharmaceuticals into Europe' at SMI's 4th annual conference on 'Pharmaceutical Parallel Trade' that took place on10 & 11 February 2010, in London.
Juries in England and Wales have been found to be fair, effective and efficient by the most in-depth study into the issue ever undertaken in this country, conducted by Professor Cheryl Thomas at the request of the Ministry of Justice. 
Professor Cheryl Thomas has been appointed as the United Kingdom representative on the European Commission Lifelong Learning Project "Menu for Justice". Menu for Justice is a 50-member strong network of specialists in Judicial Studies, representing 30 different European jurisdictions. The objective of the 3-year project is to map out the current state of legal and judicial studies in all European Union countries, as a first step in the development of a European-wide curriculum in Judicial Studies. The Network will address legal and judicial studies at the undergraduate, graduate, PhD and professional judicial levels, and Professor Thomas has been named as Project Coordinator for the Graduate Studies Task Force. 
Profesor Dawn Oliver has been elected Deputy Treasurer of the Honourable Society
of the Middle Temple and has also been elected President of the Study of Parliament Group. Read news from January - December 2009