Peking University School of Transnational Law (“STL”), the only law school in China and the world that offers both a Common Law Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a China Law Juris Master (J.M.)’s degree, hosted a hybrid workshop of “Law Reforms around the World” on November 19 and 20, 2022.
The two-day workshop brought together leading experts and scholars in the field of law reform from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Latin America, Africa, and other countries and regions, to conduct in-depth discussions on topics related to contemporary national law reforms, with the purpose of promoting law reform and enhancing cooperation between law reform institutions.
STL Dean Philip J. McConnaughay welcomed panelists and audience from all over the world and briefly introduced the notion and significance of law reform at the opening of the event. STL professor Asif H Qureshi, the initiator of the workshop, delivered an opening remark. He explained the meaning and process of law reform, introduced the methodology of the “holistic approach,” and addressed the blueprint for the focus of the study on law reform, concerning both process and substance. He then put forward the need for critical appraisal and raised the idea of encapsulating Law Reform in the founding pillars of a legal system, and interconnecting law reform both comparatively and internationally.
The workshop consists of nine panels. On November 19, experts and scholars from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea, India, Pakistan, Australia, Africa, continental Europe, and other countries and regions reviewed the development and status of legal reform in different countries as well as regional and multilateral organizations. Panelists had in-depth discussions and exchanges on the current law reform practices and future possibilities. On November 20, presentations focused on the empirical and theoretical aspects of law reform and the work of the UN International Law Commission, including work in international environmental law, international economic law, and interdisciplinary skills at the UN International Law Commission.
At the end, Professor Asif H Qureshi again expressed his gratitude to all panelists, guests and audience, and his expectation for the publication of the presenters’ final papers.
Established in 2008, STL has assembled an outstanding multinational faculty of scholars, and its curriculum and educational model are forward-looking and focused on the needs of practice. STL has always been dedicated to cultivating high-end foreign-related legal talents with international vision and global competitiveness, who are capable of meeting the challenges of the new world. This workshop follows the development trend of the worldwide legal practice, responds to the problems and needs in practice, and is of great significance to the practice of law reforms and sustainable academic development.
