Professor Eloise Scotford (Dean, UCL Laws) and Associate Professor Isra Black (Vice Dean, International, UCL Laws) have returned from a productive 11-day Faculty visit to Malaysia and China to strengthen connections with Laws alumni, meet prospective students, and develop insights into and partnerships with the legal and education sectors in these regions.

Professor Eloise Scotford, Dr Isra Black and five other people sitting and smiling in a well-lit office lobby with a red sign for the Legal Profession Qualifying Board Malaysia, surrounded by plants.
At the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia.

The Faculty visit (25 September to 5 October) began in Kuala Lumpur with meeting the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia to discuss challenges and opportunities regarding routes to legal qualification in the country. This was followed by two events generously hosted by Rahmat Lim & Partners and distinguished alumnus Mr Chia Chee Hoong (Partner): a prospective student event, followed by a networking reception for Malaysian Laws alumni. During the event for prospective students and their parents on undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities at UCL Laws, Dr Black interviewed Mr Chia about his LLM experience. Chee Hoong reflected on the invaluable professional skills he developed at UCL Laws, and encouraged those in attendance to “experience the world with humility” as prospective future lawyers. The networking event, supported also by Hong Kong Alumni Club chair Andrew Ng, brought together Laws alumni based in Malaysia – now working in some of the top firms, chambers and legal roles in the country – to connect with the Faculty and each other for a joyous and long overdue gathering, during which fond memories and professional insights were shared. While in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Scotford and Associate Professor Black also met with other Laws alumni and legal professionals to find out about the latest changes to the Malaysian legal sector.

A group of alumni with Professor Scotford and Dr Black dressed in formal attire during the alumni event at Rahmat Lim.
The networking event for Malaysian Laws alumni at Rahmat Lim.
Professor Eloise Scotford, Dr Isra Black and seven others are standing smiling in front of a shimmering mosaic wall. They appear relaxed, conveying a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.
Professor Scotford and Dr Black with alumni in Malaysia.

The Dean and Dr Black then travelled to China, arriving at the Huangpu District campus of the prestigious Shanghai Concord Bilingual School for an extensive programme of engagement events with the school’s leadership team and students. UCL Laws’ ethos of ‘learning well’ aligned closely with the values and academic vision of this leading Shanghai secondary school, as did the Faculty's restrained and considered pedagogical approach to the use of AI in education. An energising meeting with Fudan University Law School followed to learn more about their degree and exchange programmes, exploring options for academic partnership.

Professor Eloise Scotford, Dr Isra Black and two others stand in front of a stone wall at Fudan University Law School, smiling. A large, green statue is centered.
At Fudan University Law School.
Dr Deming Zhao, Professor Eloise Scotford and Dr Isra Black are standing on a balcony at night with the Shanghai skyline in the background, featuring lots of tall buildings.
Dr Deming Zhao, Professor Scotford and Dr Black in Shanghai.

An event for prospective students and UCL Laws alumni in Shanghai was hosted by distinguished UCL Laws alumnus Dr Deming Zhao (LLM, 1999) and partner at Global Law Office, Shanghai. Dr Zhao was a member of the Faculty’s first cohort of three students from mainland China and has pioneered the legal practice area of customs and trade compliance in China. The event provided attendees with opportunities to connect with the Faculty, to network, and to hear from leading Laws alumni during an informative panel discussion with Deming Zhao, Stella Lu (Partner, JT&N, Shanghai) and Xiaowen Zhu (Shentong Law Firm, Shanghai).

Dr Deming Zhao, Professor Eloise Scotford and Dr Isra Black are standing indoors next to a Global Law Office sign.
Dr Deming Zhao, Professor Scotford and Dr Black at Global Law Office, Shanghai.
Professor Eloise Scotford and Dr Isra Black are standing in a big group with prospective students and alumni, all of whom are smiling and happy.
The event for prospective students and UCL Laws alumni in Shanghai.

A highlight of the event was the formal signing of a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding with UCL Laws for Global Law Office (Shanghai) to provide internship opportunities for UCL Laws students. This important partnership was welcomed with great excitement by alumni and prospective students alike. GLO’s office provided spectacular views over the city – the perfect backdrop for many recent Laws graduates to connect with their more established counterparts. The Faculty’s Shanghai trip also featured meetings with alumni and lawyers working in leading firms to learn more about the Chinese legal services market. 

A representative from Global Law Office (Shanghai) and Professor Eloise Scotford are sitting at a table signing paperwork while dressed formally.
UCL Laws and Global Law Office (Shanghai) signing a pioneering MOU.

The trip concluded with several days in Beijing, including a visit to Peking University to meet academics for an insightful discussion about environmental law in China, and the Dean and Vice Dean (International)’s attendance at ‘The Fourth 21st-Century International Forum of Law School Deans and Jurists: World Rule of Law Forum in the Era of AI’, a conference celebrating the 75th anniversary of Renmin Law School. The event brought together law school leaders from around the world to discuss global legal challenges and developments, particularly in the era of AI, with topics including global regulatory frameworks for digital assets and the future of the rule of law. Professor Scotford had the honour of delivering a speech as part of the opening ceremony, and later presented on UCL Laws’ approach to AI and legal education with Dr Black, amid many illuminating panel discussions about topics including state law, climate change, public law, law reform, and legal scholarship. 

Professor Eloise Scotford is standing behind a Renmin University of China lectern, speaking at the International Forum of Law School Deans and Jurists.
The conference celebrating the 75th anniversary of Renmin Law School.

Katie Zhang, Chair of the UCL Beijing Alumni Club, hosted an alumni gathering at an impressive venue in Dongcheng District, at which Professor Scotford and Dr Black met many Beijing-based Laws alumni. Throughout their trip, not least in Beijing, the Dean and Dr Black were struck by the great warmth of alumni towards the Faculty and UCL, as well as the enduring formative contribution studying at UCL Laws has made to former students’ lives. 

Professor Scotford, Dr Black and a group of about 30 UCL Laws alumni pose indoors for a photograph. A sign reads 'UCL'. Everyone is smiling warmly.
The event hosted by UCL Beijing Alumni Club.

Reflecting on the trip, Professor Scotford said: “The Faculty visit to Malaysia and China was a powerful opportunity to strengthen UCL Laws’ global connections. We were warmly welcomed and hosted by our impressive network of UCL Laws alumni: leading lawyers forging impressive careers in the legal world. We were delighted also to meet the next generation of UCL Laws students, who will benefit from partnerships cemented during our travels. Discussions with industry, practitioners, academics and esteemed friends of the Faculty provided important insights that will help shape our future collaborations and curriculum. We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and hospitality to make the trip so enriching and productive.” 

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