Asian Law Teaching 2017
Economic and Business Law in Asia
In November 2016, Melbourne Law School ran for the first time the international intensive subject 'Economic and Business Law in Asia'. The subject was co-taught by Andrew Godwin, Associate Director (Asian Commercial Law) of the Asian Law Centre, and Hop Dang, Partner at Allens Linklaters, Hanoi.
Over a week in Shanghai, Andrew and Hop led 22 students to classes at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where we studied topics including Chinese Law and Society, Chinese Foreign Investment Law, and Chinese International Commercial Arbitration. As students, we were very fortunate to have guest lectures on these areas from Professors Jiaxiang Hu, Zheng Ge and Liyang Hou from the KoGuan Law School. These guest lectures gave us the opportunity to learn about, gain exposure to and discuss live issues in Chinese law including competition law, the Draft Foreign Investment Law, VIE structures, and current risks for foreign investors entering China. Travelling to Hong Kong, we heard also from Dr Richard Wu on the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ policy through the lens of comparative Company Law between Hong Kong and mainland China. Our group discussions led by Andrew and Hop after these lectures were instrumental in furthering critical thought and analysis.
The subject also afforded our cohort unique international experiences to complement our studies. Our discussions around Chinese courts and the operation of law firms and lawyers in China were brought to life through our tour of the Minhang District Court in Shanghai, and the opportunity we had to speak to lawyers from international law firm Dorsey & Whitney, local PRC law firm Zhong Lun, and in Hong Kong, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP.
Set variously against the backdrop of Shanghai street dumplings, the bright autumn leaves at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the bustling Mid-Levels of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong University, Economics and Business Law in Asia offered my cohort a unique and special opportunity to learn about the laws and legal system of China at some of the best places possible, and from teaching staff who are experts in their fields. EBLA is an invaluable addition to the international subjects offered through the JD, and I am looking forward to hearing about the next cohort’s adventures in 2017.
By Kirsty Ha, Student, EBLA
Melbourne Law Masters
The following subjects relevant to Asian legal studies will also be taught in the Melbourne Law Masters in 2017:
- Commercial Law in Asia
- Comparative Constitutional Law
- Construction Law and Projects in Asia
- Developing Countries and the WTO
- International Law and Development
- Investment Deals and Disputes in Asia
- Islam and Human Rights
- Islamic Law and Politics in Asia
- Natural Resources Law in Asia
The Melbourne Law Masters offers masters degrees and graduate diplomas across specialist legal areas to deepen knowledge and understanding in a general or specialised area of law.