The SMU team has once again emerged champions at the LAWASIA International Moot Competition held in Bangkok between 2 and 6 October 2014.  The ninth edition of the competition organised by LawAsia, an international organisation focused on the interests of the legal profession in the region, was hosted at the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Law.  There were 33 participating teams from across the world this year, with the top 10 teams competing at the international rounds.

This year’s moot problem which third-year law undergraduates Mohammad Muzhaffar and Jillian Yeo Hui Ying, and fourth-year undergraduate Grace Sim Hui Xian had to tackle was one that was inspired by a recent incident – the 23 April 2013 factory collapse in Savar, Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,000 people and injured another 2,500, including many children in the company’s day care centre.  Mooters were required to argue whether Spear Shirts, a mere customer, could be held liable for the injuries and death of Mae Sot Clothing’s employees in a factory fire.  The moot problem required the mooters to brainstorm both from a commercial as well as legal perspective, and involved questions of private international law and international commercial arbitration.

Despite facing strong competition such as that from former Vis East champions Monash University and Vis East champions Loyola Los Angeles and Tsinghua University, the SMU team coached by alumnus Ms Eunice Chan won all eight of its matches.  In beating The Chinese University of Hong Kong in the final round, SMU secured its second win in the competition.  With this success, SMU has now reached the LawAsia finals five out of five times and records were also rewritten for the most number of finals appearances (five) and most number of consecutive finals appearances (also five).  SMU's LawAsia win, its 10th international moot championship, follows its recent win in the Asia Cup Moot held in Tokyo in August this year.

Well done, SMU mooters!

[Featured photo: (L-R) Law undergraduates Mohammad Muzhaffar, Jillian Yeo Hui Ying and Grace Sim Hui Xian did SMU proud at the LAWASIA International Moot Competition 2014.]

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Following close on the heels of the LAWASIA international moot victory last week, SMU mooters have done the University proud once again.  The SMU team comprising law Masters student Al-gene Tan Qing Wei and alumnus Md Noor E Adnaan emerged tops at the inaugural Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention Moot 2014, a regional competition which was by-invitation only. 

The competition, which took place in the High Court of Hong Kong on 10 and 11 October, was a part of a series of events organised by the Hague Conference Asia Pacific Regional Office.  Law students from eight law schools in the Asia Pacific region had to argue a legal problem premised on the Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention having come into effect.

The SMU team bagged the championship title after winning matches against Kyushu University, De La Selle University and Wuhan University.  The competition also featured teams such as three-time Jessup champion University of Melbourne and former Vis East champion Tsinghua University.

The duo were delighted in not only winning the championship but also having Algene named Best Oralist in the championship round.  Heartiest Congratulations!

[Featured photo: (L-R) Al-gene Tan and Md Noor E Adnaan flying the SMU flag at the inaugural Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention Moot 2014.]

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Surpassing top universities such as Yale, Stanford and Harvard, SMU’s School of Law (SOL) and Li Ka Shing Library have been ranked No. 17 on the list of 50 Most Impressive Law School Buildings in the World.  The rankings were compiled by Best Choice Schools, an online resource based in the United States which aims to help students find the best universities in the world.

Notably, SMU is the only university in Asia to have made it to the list.

According to Best Choice, the winning ‘architectures were chosen for their ingenuity, aesthetic beauty, and commitment to creating an environment that honours the history and study of law… a number of them set a precedent for green building standards and solutions’.

[Photo: SMU Li Ka Shing Library ‘a modern masterpiece of glass and greenery’: Best Choice Schools.]

Best Choice described Li Ka Shing Library, which houses the University's law periodicals, as ‘a modern masterpiece of glass and greenery… Tiered levels of windows are covered with lush plantings, and the interior space offers students express workstations, natural light, and skylights’.

Come 2017, SMU’s city campus will be enhanced with a new SOL building that will comprise the Kwa Geok Choo Law Library, which 'will provide a stunning accompaniment to a campus that already stands as a bastion of modern architecture’, described Best Choice.

On the new accolade, SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, said, “SMU’s city campus can be described as the first of its kind – designed, integrated and constructed in the heart of a fully developed cityscape.  Surrounded by museums, educational institutions, art galleries, and retail outlets, we have a unique modern city campus that is also connected to the origins of this important historical district.”

“From the start, we were committed to building a campus which is sustainable and integrated with our community with openness and lush greenery.  I am delighted that our efforts are being recognised,” he said.

[Image: Artists’ impression of the School of Law building in the evening.  The Kwa Geok Choo Law Library will take an architectural form that resembles a pearl and will be a symbol for inspirational learning.]

Dean of SMU School of Law, Professor Yeo Tiong Ming, said, “We believe strongly that the new School of Law building must have the power to inspire.  The Kwa Geok Choo Law Library will take on a distinct architectural form reminiscent of a pearl.  It will be strategically placed at the high point of the site next to Stamford Green and is expressed architecturally as a sculptural form to represent an ‘inspirational beacon’ that seeks to illuminate the lives of SMU’s law students.”

It will be symbolic of a ‘moral compass’ to remind students of the importance of dignity, truth and justice in society,” he added.

On the new law school building project, Professor De Meyer said, “The SMU campus offers an open environment in the heart of Singapore.  The new law school building will be an extension of this philosophy and will have the same porous, free-flowing campus design that reflects and support the character of our university’s curriculum and style of teaching.”

[Image: Artists’ impression of the new School of Law building viewed from Armenian Street.  The architecture of the new building is deliberately contemporary in expression, while integrating with the architecture in the historical district in which it stands. ]

Other accolades

This is not the first time SMU has been lauded for its green efforts.  On 22 May 2014, Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority awarded SMU the Green Mark Scheme – Platinum Award for all campus buildings including the new SOL building and Kwa Geok Choo Library.  On 25 September 2014, SMU received the Public Utilities Board Water Efficient Building (Gold) Certification for all campus buildings.

The new SOL building is also designed to meet BCA’s Green Mark Platinum standards, and will boast many sustainable features and incorporate innovative green technologies that will bring about maximum energy savings.

[Featured photo: SMU Li Ka Shing Library]

• More details on the SMU School of Law building project: http:http://www.smu.edu.sg/new-sol-building
• More details on the 50 Most Impressive Law School Buildings in the World by Best Choice Schools: http:http://www.bestchoiceschools.com/50-most-impressive-law-school-buildings-in-the-world/
• The Straits Times (18 October 2014): SMU ranked 17th among world's top law school buildings

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He may be timid but is eloquent when it comes to mooting. In fact, his eloquence ended up giving him the Best Oralist title.

Like the saying “a well-filled tapioca’, Mohammad Muzhaffar Omar, the youngest of three children, was an extremely timid person during his secondary school and junior college days.

Nonetheless, behind the timidity of the former Raffles Institution (RI) and Raffles Junior College (RJC) student is ‘a fighting spirit’.

This was proven when he and two of his fellow course mates from Singapore Management University (SMU) emerged champions in the LawAsia International Moot Competition.

Held recently in Bangkok, Thailand, the competition involved simulated court proceedings and a moot problem related to the management of international commercial arbitration.

The competition was organised by LawAsia, an international organisation focused on interests of the legal profession in the region, and involved up to 33 teams, including those from the United States, Australia, China, India and Hong Kong.

Even more remarkable, Mohammad Muzhaffar, 23, now placed on the dean’s list of the SMU School of Law, was named Best Oralist in the competition.

[Photo: SMU law undergradaute, Mohammad Muzhaffar Omar.]

He said, “Since my younger days till junior college, I was not at all talkative. I was also better in subjects like Mathematics and Science. As such, when I first started law studies at the university, I felt that I lacked self-confidence.” He explained that prior to studying law, he had expected to join the engineering sector.

During the competition which ran from 2 to 6 October, Mohammad Muzhaffar, together with his two friends Jillian Yeo Hui Ying, 21, and Grace Sim Hui Xian, 22, beat the team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the finals.

They managed to win all eight matches in which they participated.

This success meant that SMU had recorded its second win in five appearances in the final round of the competition.

SMU’s success in the moot competition does not end there. In the Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention Moot 2014 held on 10 and 11 October, SMU also emerged champions.

[Photo: SMU law graduate, Md Noor E Adnaan.]

Held at the Hong Kong Supreme Court, the SMU team comprising Md Noor E Adnaan, 25, and Al-gene Tan, 25, beat the team from Wuhan University in the final round.

In all, only eight teams were invited to take part in the inaugural competition. Amongst these were teams from Australia, India, Hong Kong and Japan.

The win also meant SMU had won a total of 11 international moot competitions to date.

Md Noor, who is undergoing the practical law course for six months, said that in the final round, they were judged by two legal academic experts and a Queen’s Counsel from Britain.

He went on to say that aside from delivering a strong argument, participants also had to keep to the allocated time. He remarked, “The experience gained in such competitions would not be what you would get in class. It teaches participants to formulate their arguments based on the law, in addition to delivering a good oral argument.”

[Muzhaffar and Adnaan pictured here with their team-mates.  Photo on left: (L-R) Muzhaffar, Jillian and Grace did SMU proud at the LAWASIA International Moot Competition 2014; Photo on right: (L-R) Al-gene and Adnaan flew the SMU flag at the inaugural Hague Choice of Court Agreements Convention Moot 2014.]

[Featured photo: (L-R): SMU law undergraduate, Mohammad Muzhaffar and law graduate, Md Noor E Adnaan, victorious at two recent international moot competitions.]

The above is a translation of an article titled 'Dua penuntut SMU muncul juara dalam peraduan moot berasingan', which was first published in Berita Harian on 25 October 2014.

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Last weekend, SMU’s mooting team comprising Nicholas Liu, Qabir Sandhu, Nanthini Vijayakumar, Patrick Tay and Victoria Leong beat the NUS team to emerge champs at the national round of the 2015 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.  With the team winning the Best Memorial and Nicholas winning the Best Oralist award as well, SMU swept all prizes at the national round to gain a definitive victory.

This is the third successive year that SMU has won the national round of the international moot competition.  Having defended the national title, the team will go on to represent Singapore at the international round in April.

This year, principal coaching duties were assumed by SMU alumni Daniel Liu (who was in the 2013 Jessup team) and Kenny Lau (who was in the 2014 Jessup team).  The duo had also coached the Asia Cup team to championship in Tokyo in September last year.

“Having reached the international championship round in the last two years, SMU is proud once again to represent Singapore in the world's biggest moot competition,” said Assistant Professor of Law Chen Siyuan, who heads the SMU Faculty Mooting Committee and oversees the training and development of all SMU moot court teams.

Grateful for the strong support from the SMU community which contributed to the good showing, he added, “This win is a total team effort, with great support received from the deanery, faculty, support staff and our international moot alumni.” 

Last year, some 600 schools around the world took part in the competition and more than 100 teams landed in the international rounds.  The SMU team had triumphed over many teams from top institutions such as Oxford University and King's College London to emerge runner-up, for the second year running.

We can be sure that this team, bound for Washington D.C. in April 2015, will be gearing up to give its 100% at its international showing.

And when they do, SMU will be behind them all the way.

[Featured photo (L-R): ​Daniel Liu (Coach), Qabir Sandhu, Nanthini Vijayakumar, Patrick Tay, Nicholas Liu, Victoria Leong, Kenny Lau (Coach)]

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Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot

SMU reached the final round of the 12^th annual Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot held on Sunday, 22 March 2015, and won it, after nine rounds of intense competition.  This is SMU’s first Vis (East) championship title since the SMU School of Law sent its first team in 2010.  It is also SMU’s 12^th overall international moot championship title since inception.

Organised by the Vis East Moot Foundation Limited, the moot competition is a sister moot to the one held in Vienna – the Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, to which SMU is also sending a team.  The Vis (East) is intended to stimulate the study of international commercial law, especially the legal texts prepared by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and the use of international commercial arbitration to resolve international commercial disputes. The international nature of the Moot leads participants to interpret the texts of international commercial law in light of different legal systems, and develops in them an expertise in advocating a position before an arbitral panel composed of arbitrators from different legal systems.

Hailed as the world's third largest international moot competition after the Philip C. Jessup and Vis moots, the Vis (East), held in Hong Kong SAR, saw a record turnout this year with 109 teams participating.  SMU has had some success in the past, winning the oralist and memorial prizes for both Vis moots, but has not previously advanced this far for oral arguments.  In fact, this is only the second time that a Singapore team has reached the final for either Vis moots.

This year, SMU sent a combined Vis / Vis (East) team of eight, with four members – Eden Li (year 4), Jason Lim (JD), Nicolette Oon (year 3), and Jerald Soon (year 4) – being deployed to Hong Kong for the Vis (East) moot.  The combined team was jointly coached by Lionel Leo (WongP partner), as well as SMU international moot alumni Shaun Pereira and Deya Shankar Dubey.

The intense competition began in the preliminary rounds, where SMU faced Wuhan University (China), Waseda University (Japan), former Vis winner Monash Law School (Australia), and Symbiosis Law School (India).  The team then met former Vis (East) winner Tsinghua University (China) in Round of 32, National Chiao Tung (Taiwan) in the octofinal, University of Denver (USA) in the quarterfinal, and former Vis winner West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (India) in the semifinal, before facing off against Arizona State University (USA) in the final, and winning the title.

Price Media Law Moot Competition

[Photo: Assistant Professor Chen Siyuan (centre) with (from L-R) Beatrice Yeo, Fiona Chew, Li Kun Hang, Geraldine Kuah, Jacob Quek and Kenneth Lim, at Oxford University, UK.]

Over the last weekend, another SMU moot team was in UK to do us proud.  Fiona Chew (year 4), Li Kun Hang (year 4), Kenneth Lim (year 4), Geraldine Kuah (Juris Doctor), Quek Teck Liang Jacob (year 4) and Beatrice Yeo (year 4) represented the University in the eighth edition of the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition, which saw the top 40 teams, out of a pool of 90 worldwide, qualify for the international rounds in Oxford University.

This year's moot problem featured issues of treaty validity, religious hate speech, and intermediary liability, and judges included prominent practitioners in the field, such as Harjinder Obhi (Google UK Legal Director) and Michael Wiener (Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights).

Following matches against the top three American Regional Rounds teams that would also go on to win the Best Memo prizes – Florida State International University College of Law, 2013 finalist Regent School of Law, and 2014 semifinalist Brooklyn Law School, SMU qualified for the knockout stages.  There, it beat Cairo University (Egypt) in the octofinal, Ghent University (Belgium) in the quarterfinal, and National Law University, Jodhpur (India) in the semifinal before meeting University of the Philippines in the competitive final round.

The SMU team eventually finished first runner-up.  Four members – Fiona, Kun Hang, Kenneth and Geraldine – were ranked in the top 10 per cent for Best Oralist, while the team's memorials were also ranked in the top 5 for Best Memorial.  This was the second time that SMU has reached the final round of the competition, the first was in 2010, when SMU won the championship title.

The team, coached by Assistant Professor Chen Siyuan with assistance from alumnus, Sui Yi Siong, expressed their gratitude to many faculty members who helped to judge practice rounds.  This year the team also had the privilege of being judged by Senior Counsel – namely Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah and Mr Thio Shen Yi.

SMU’s moot teams have achieved remarkable results since the start of this academic year, reaching six international moot championship finals since August 2014.  We wish our teams all the best in the forthcoming Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, Philip C. Jessup Moot, and International Criminal Court Moot, which will be taking place in the coming month!

[Featured photo: Jason Lim (far left), Eden Li (2^nd from left), Jerald Soon (2^nd from right), Nicolette Oon (far right), with one of the judges of the Vis (East) moot competition.]

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Singapore, 19 May 2015 (Tuesday) – In developing Singapore as a dispute resolution hub, one of the government’s strategies is in developing Singapore’s international arbitration, alongside the development of litigation and international mediation.  Singapore is now the third most preferred arbitration seat in the world after London and Geneva, and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) has also seen an exponential increase in cases in the last 14 years, with the total value of disputes heard by the SIAS in 2014 being more than S$5 billion¹.

At the Singapore Management University (SMU), through a structured moot training programme, talented young mooters are being trained in critical arbitration knowledge and skills.  The programme which was rolled out since Academic Year 2009-10 is yielding results – in the last two months, SMU reached the final of three major international arbitration moot competitions:

• Champions at the Willem C. Vis (East) Commercial Arbitration (or Vis East) Moot, held in Hong Kong (15 – 22 March 2015)
• First runner-up at the Willem C. Vis Commercial Arbitration (or Vis) Moot, held in Vienna (28 March – 2 April 2015)
• First runner-up at the Frankfurt Investment Arbitration Moot, held in Frankfurt (9 – 14 March 2015)

Vis and Vis East Moots

The annual Vis and Vis East moot competitions are sister moots organised in Vienna and Hong Kong respectively.  The goal of the Vis and Vis East moots, which are into their 22^nd and 12^th editions this year, is to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for the resolution of international business disputes through its application to a concrete problem of a client, and to train law leaders of tomorrow in methods of alternative dispute resolution.

This year, SMU had sent a combined team to both the Vis and Vis East moots.  The Vis East team comprising Eden Li (year 4), Jason Lim (Juris Doctor), Nicolette Oon (year 3) and Jerald Soon (year 4) made history by becoming the first Singapore team to win the moot competition, after nine rounds of intense competition between 15 and 22 March 2015.

The strong competition began in the preliminary rounds, where SMU faced Wuhan University (China), Waseda University (Japan), former Vis winner Monash Law School (Australia), and Symbiosis Law School (India).  The team then met former Vis East winner Tsinghua University (China) in the Round of 32, National Chiao Tung (Taiwan) in the octofinal, University of Denver (USA) in the quarterfinal, and former Vis winner West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (India) in the semi-final, before facing off against Arizona State University (USA) in the final on 22 March to win the championship.

[Photo: Jason Lim (far left), Eden Li (2^nd from left), Jerald Soon (2^nd from right), Nicolette Oon (far right), with José Feris, Deputy Sec-Gen of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, who was one of the judges in the final of the Vis (East) moot competition.]

Presss release, including Annex on List of international moot competition achievements by SMU School of Law.

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Singapore, 25 May 2015 (Monday) – The creation, management and protection of intellectual assets and related rights (IPRs) have moved to the top of national, regional and global agendas over the last 20 years.  Today, IP has become a key driver of global economic growth.  The Singapore Government has also identified IP as a new growth area for Singapore and is on a mission to develop the country as an IP hub with vibrant IP industries. 

It is against this backdrop that SMU today launches the new Applied Research Centre for Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asia (ARCIALA).  The launch event was graced by Guest-of-honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Law and Education, who delivered an Opening Address at the launch event.  Helming the new Centre as its Director is Professor of Law Liu Kung-Chung; the Centre’s Deputy Director is Professor of Law Irene Calboli.

Professor Liu is visiting professor at the SMU School of Law since April 2014.  His teaching and research interests are intellectual property law, antitrust and unfair competition law, and communications law.  He has published widely and has authored 12 books (in Chinese) and edited eight books (three in Chinese and five in English) covering trademark law, competition law, patent law, interface between IP and competition law, and (tele)communications law; and over 100 peer-reviewed papers in Chinese and English.

Professor Calboli joins SMU as a visiting professor of law from May 2015.  She has also published widely on several aspects of intellectual property law.  Her scholarship has appeared in leading volumes, peer reviewed journals, and student edited law reviews, in Asia, Europe, and the United States.  She is also a member of several academic and professional organisations, including the International Trademark Association (INTA), the International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property (ATRIP), and the International Law Association (American Branch).

Professor Liu said, “Asia has rapidly become not just the factory of the world but also the globe’s growth engine and biggest market.  Its importance is however underestimated by Asian themselves! It is no less so in terms of IP law and industry in Asia.  It is the most opportune timing for SMU to set up an IP research centre that puts Asia at the focal point.  The ARCIALA will embark on and excel in promoting the Asian awareness, mutual understanding and cooperation among Asians, as well as Asian innovation renaissance.”

“In addition, to date, research and commentary on IP issues thrown up by the latest digital developments are primarily from North America, Europe and Australia.  Except for some efforts in India, Asia has contributed surprisingly little research and debate on the topic.  Asia needs to engage more in the ongoing debate that will shape much of business and trade in the decades to come.   I see our Centre contributing significantly in this sphere by surveying Asian developments and crystalising Asian insight,” he added.

Under Professor Liu’s leadership, the Centre aims to be a centre of excellence for applied research on developments in the IP scene in Asia and beyond.  Taking a multi-faceted and cross-disciplinary approach, it will engage in research projects in areas of practical importance, and promote interest, research and cooperation in intellectual assets and the law in Asian economies.  This is the first IP research centre in the region with a multi-disciplinary and Asian emphasis.

In terms of activities, the Centre will survey and measure the IP and innovation landscape in Singapore and Asia, first by selecting leading IP cases within and outside of Singapore.  It will also organise topical talks and seminars to update the IP community and provide new thoughts to practitioners and decision-makers in the public and business sectors.  The Centre will also enrich the IP knowledge of SMU’s undergraduate and postgraduate students (not limiting to those studying law) by providing new IP-related courses with a cross-disciplinary perspective.  Last but not least, nurturing young Asian IP scholars will be the key focus of the Centre.

On the launch of the new Centre, Dean of SMU School of Law, Professor Yeo Tiong Min, said, “This new Centre gives the SMU School of Law the opportunity to leverage our strong academic expertise in IP law and play a part in furthering the understanding, co-operation and potential harmonisation of IP regimes in the region.  With this Centre, we aim to provide a platform for research and dialogue across disciplines, sectors and countries, to better understand the dynamics of unlocking value in intellectual assets, especially in Asia.  In doing so, we will contribute to the strengthening of Singapore’s international status as a vibrant IP hub, and to the standing of Singapore as a thought leader in this field.”

_____________________________________________

Media Contact

Huang Peiling
Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Singapore Management University
DID: 6838 0964
Email: plhuang@smu.edu.sg

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In today’s increasingly globalised and competitive knowledge-based economy, companies value intellectual property (IP) not simply as legal rights but also important business assets.  IP is playing a bigger role in business strategies, as companies look for an edge over their competitors.

The creation, management and protection of intellectual assets and related rights have moved to the top of national, regional and global agendas over the last 20 years.  Today, IP has become a key driver of global economic growth.  The Singapore Government has also identified IP as a new growth area for Singapore and is on a mission to develop the country as an IP hub with vibrant IP industries.

It is against this backdrop that SMU launched the new Applied Research Centre for Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asia (ARCIALA) on 25 May 2015.  Helming the new Centre as its Director is SMU Professor of Law Liu Kung-Chung; the Centre’s Deputy Director is SMU Professor of Law Irene Calboli.

Set to be the first IP research centre in the region with a multi-disciplinary and Asian emphasis, ARCIALA will conduct applied research on developments in the IP scene in Asia and beyond.  It will engage in research projects in areas of practical importance, as well as promote interest, research and cooperation in intellectual assets and the law in Asian economies.

The launch event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Law and Education.  In her address, Ms Rajah said that the launch of the new Centre is ‘a timely endeavour as it will facilitate research on the multiple facets of IP , with a view to develop a progressive and forward-looking approach in the way IP is perceived and managed, particularly in the Asian region.’

[Photo: Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee Rajah delivering her opening address at the launch of the new IP centre.]

“ARCIALA will be able to bring together multiple disciplines – for example, economics, law, business and technology.  It will also be able to tap on the network of IP practitioners, lawyers and innovative companies in Singapore to create a rich discourse.  ARCIALA will complement the existing IP research ecosystem in Singapore with its strong vision of multi-disciplinary research rooted in Asia.”

“Despite the economic progress and growing influence of Asia, there is not enough Asian-focused intellectual property research and literature.  Asian society is not only distinct from the West in culture and values; it is also far from homogenous. Countries vary greatly in language, demography, development, legal systems and governance.  All these make for fertile ground for research, which ARCIALA is well-positioned to undertake,” she added.

The new Centre will survey and measure the IP and innovation landscape in Singapore and Asia, starting with leading cases within and outside Singapore.  It will also organise talks and seminars to update the community and provide new insights to practitioners and decision-makers in the public and business sectors.

SMU students (not limiting to those studying law) also stand to benefit as the Centre will provide new IP-related courses with a cross-disciplinary perspective.  The Centre also hopes to nurture young Asian IP scholars.

[Photo: Professor Yeo delivering his welcome address at the launch seminar.]

On the launch, Dean of SMU School of Law, Professor Yeo Tiong Min, said that the new Centre gives the SMU School of Law the opportunity to leverage its strong academic expertise in IP law and play a part in furthering the understanding, co-operation and potential harmonisation of IP regimes in the region.

“With this Centre, we aim to provide a platform for research and dialogue across disciplines, sectors and countries, to better understand the dynamics of unlocking value in intellectual assets, especially in Asia.  In doing so, we will contribute to the strengthening of Singapore’s international status as a vibrant IP hub, and to the standing of Singapore as a thought leader in this field,” he said.

[Photo: Professor Liu sharing his insights with the media at the launch seminar.]

Professor Liu said, “Asia has rapidly become not just the factory of the world but also the globe’s growth engine and biggest market.  Its importance is however underestimated by Asian themselves. It is no less so in terms of IP law and industry in Asia.  It is the most opportune timing for SMU to set up an IP research centre that puts Asia at the focal point.  The ARCIALA will embark on and excel in promoting the Asian awareness, mutual understanding and cooperation among Asians, as well as Asian innovation renaissance.”

[Featured Photo: Ms Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah was the Guest-of-Honour at the launch of the new Applied Research Centre for Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asia.]

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The results are in – SMU’s mooters from the School of Law have concluded this moot season with a bang.  They have brought home the top prize from the International Criminal Court (ICC) moot court competition, and in their first attempt, no less!  It is also the first time a team from Singapore has won the championship.

The SMU team comprising final year law undergraduates Foo Shi Hao, Ong Chin Kiat, Annabelle Teo Li Ping and Samuel Yap Zong En, and Juris Doctor student Alexis Ang Jingsi, was also named Best Overall Team (Victim's Representative).  Furthermore, Annabelle was named Best Speaker of the entire tournament.  The team was coached principally by SMU alumnus Edmund Koh.

Jointly organised by Leiden University and the ICC, the competition has been established since 2008, and is the largest and most prestigious moot competition in the world on international criminal law.  The competition has four editions: English, Russian, Chinese and Spanish, with the English edition being the largest competition.  This year, the English competition attracted a record turnout of over 100 participating teams, with the best 57 teams qualifying for the international rounds held in The Netherlands in May.

The competition required each team to represent three sides: government, prosecution and victims.  Each speaker speaks for 30 minutes in total - 20 minutes main submissions and 10 minutes rebuttal.  Each round pits three teams against each other.

Unfazed by the strong competition even though it was making its debut, the SMU team reached the final round after seven matches against teams from countries such as Australia, Canada, India and Ukraine.  Along the way, they beat the teams from former champions Bond University (Australia) and Osgoode Hall (Canada).  Leiden University (Netherlands), one of the two teams SMU met in the final round, was also a former champion of the competition.

Finally, it was the SMU team which, with their conviction, clarity and composure, won over the distinguished panel of judges, who comprised international criminal law practitioners, including ICC judges and law professors.

With these latest results, SMU now has a total of 13 international championships in 26 final appearances since the School of Law's moot programme was launched in AY2009/10.  In this season alone, SMU has reached eight international championship finals, winning five.  This is also the 10th time SMU has reached any championship final (fifth time winning it) in its first attempt.

"There is now no question that SMU mooters can compete with anybody in the world.  But none of this would have been possible without the generous support of the university, school and its alumni, as well as the help from the legal fraternity," said Assistant Professor Chen Siyuan, who heads the moot training Programme.

Well done, SMU mooters, for an excellent season of achievements!

[Featured photo: (L-R) Judge Howard Morrison with Annabelle Teo, Samuel Yap, Alexis Ang, Foo Shi Hao, Ong Chin Kiat and Edmund Koh. Photo courtesy of ICC-CPI.]

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Singapore, 7 October 2015 (Thursday) – With the high level of interconnectivity of today’s world, and the exponential growth of global trade and commerce, there is an increased expectation on lawyers to provide legal advice on transnational deals and perspectives on domestic laws and legal systems, as well as to engage with cross-border commercial dispute resolution.  With a view towards educating legal talents who are well-versed in both Eastern and Western legal systems, who understand both the law and local business culture, and who are able to offer a highly nuanced service to their multi-national clients, the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have announced an innovative Dual Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial Law (Singapore and London) programme, which both universities will jointly offer from July 2016.

Officiating the partnership in London on 2 October 2015 were Professor Yeo Tiong Min, Dean of SMU School of Law (SOL) and Professor Spyros Maniatis, Head of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) , QMUL.  CCLS specialises in the knowledge and skills in commercial law that can be placed at the service of the UK government, public bodies, overseas institutions, the legal profession, industry and commerce.  Through their specialist schools and institutes, they continue to maintain their lead as one of the top commercial postgraduate law schools in the world.

The 15-month programme, which will be jointly delivered by SMU and QMUL, will offer students the unique opportunity to study commercial law in two of the world’s major business and financial centres – Singapore and London.  Students will first spend six months in Singapore where they will develop a broad overview of Asian commercial law.  In particular, the Singapore leg is designed to expose students to a broad range of legal issues which businesses in Asia are likely to encounter. Thereafter, the programme will take them to QMUL’s campus in Holborn, the heart of London’s legal district, where they will take a series of specialised modules taught by leading commercial law experts.

Another unique feature of the programme is the high level of integration that will significantly benefit students.  They will stay connected with both universities throughout the 15 months, and instructors from both universities will be available to them, regardless of which campus they are in.

The specially-designed curriculum features a major focus on international and comparative issues, and on the importance of legal principles, rules and laws underlying business and commercial relationships.  By the end of the programme, students will be equipped with a thorough understanding of key aspects of commercial law from multiple perspectives, enabling them to develop an in-depth understanding of different regions’ approaches to resolving commercial problems.  The varied knowledge-base, coupled with the specialist expertise, will make them very attractive to potential employers, particularly multi-national firms.

Professor Yeo Tiong Min said, “We are proud to be the Asian partner of the CCLS at QMUL in the delivery of high quality postgraduate legal education.  The dual LLM programme that we are jointly offering has been specially curated to take advantage of the respective commercial law expertise of the faculty at both institutions.  We believe that the opportunity to study in London and Singapore, both hubs for transnational businesses, will be attractive to candidates who are keen to learn more about legal issues affecting cross-border commercial transactions.”  Professor Yeo is also Singapore’s first Honorary Senior Counsel and the Yong Pung How Professor of Law at SOL.

Professor Spyros Maniatis said, “I am delighted that SMU and QMUL are offering this innovative programme allowing students to immerse seamlessly into diverse legal and business cultures, looking at East and West from an international and comparative perspective. Students will be part of an eclectic and dynamic group of students taught by top commercial law academics and practitioners, as part of a unique learning experience that draws on the strengths of both universities.”

Applications for the inaugural intake of the new course will open in late October 2015; the Universities expect to welcome about 40 students in the first intake which begins in July 2016.

To date, SMU SOL has established partnerships with 43 universities internationally.  SMU is also the first Asian university to have joined the ranks of top European law schools as part of the THEMIS network, alongside Università Bocconi (Milan, Italy), Esade (Barcelona, Spain), Freie Universität (Berlin, Germany), Université Paris Est Créteil Val de Marne (Paris, France) and Maastricht Law School (Maastricht, The Netherlands).  THEMIS represents a network of six institutions which have come together to create a new standard in business law in response to an increasing demand for law professionals with international know-how and expertise.
 

[Photo: (L-R) Professor Spyros Maniatis, Head of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London; and Professor Yeo Tiong Min, Dean of Singapore Management University School of Law officiating the partnership in London on 2 October 2015. (Photo © Jorge Duarte Estevao)]

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Enclosure

- More details on the Dual LLM: http:http://www.law.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/singapore/index.html

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With the high level of interconnectivity of today’s world, and the exponential growth of global trade and commerce, there is an increased expectation on lawyers to provide legal advice on transnational deals and perspectives on domestic laws and legal systems, as well as to engage with cross-border commercial dispute resolution.

With a view towards educating legal talents who are well-versed in both Eastern and Western legal systems, who understand both the law and local business culture, and who are able to offer a highly nuanced service to their multi-national clients, the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) will jointly offer an innovative Dual Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial Law (Singapore and London) programme from July 2016.

Professor Yeo Tiong Min, Dean of SMU’s School of Law (SOL), was in London earlier this month to officiate the partnership with QMUL’s Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS).  This new collaboration brings SMU SOL’s global partners to 43 universities across the Asia-Pacific, US and Europe.

[Photo: (L-R) Prof Spyros Maniatis, Head of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, QMU; and Prof Yeo Tiong Min, Dean of SMU School of Law, officiating the partnership. © Jorge Duarte Estevao www.jdestevao.com]

The 15-month programme will offer students the unique opportunity to study commercial law in two of the world’s major business and financial centres – Singapore and London.

Students will first spend six months in Singapore where they will develop a broad overview of Asian commercial law.  In particular, the Singapore leg is designed to expose students to a broad range of legal issues which businesses in Asia are likely to encounter. Thereafter, the programme will take them to QMUL’s campus in Holborn, the heart of London’s legal district, where they will take a series of specialised modules taught by leading commercial law experts.

[Photo: The new Master of Laws programme is set to offer students the unique opportunity to study commercial law in two of the world’s major business and financial centres – Singapore (L) and London (R).]

Another unique feature of the programme is the high level of integration that will significantly benefit students.  They will stay connected with both universities throughout the 15 months, and instructors from both universities will be available to them, regardless of which campus they are in.

The specially-designed curriculum features a major focus on international and comparative issues, and on the importance of legal principles, rules and laws underlying business and commercial relationships.  By the end of the programme, students will be equipped with a thorough understanding of key aspects of commercial law from multiple perspectives, enabling them to develop an in-depth understanding of different regions’ approaches to resolving commercial problems.  The varied knowledge-base, coupled with the specialist expertise, will make them very attractive to potential employers, particularly multi-national firms.

[Photos: Students of the programme will stay connected with instructors from both universities, regardless of whether they are on the QMUL campus (L) or SMU campus (R). (Left photo courtesy of QMUL).]

Professor Yeo, who is Singapore’s first Honorary Senior Counsel and the Yong Pung How Professor of Law at SOL, said, “We are proud to be the Asian partner of the CCLS at QMUL in the delivery of high quality postgraduate legal education.  The dual LLM programme that we are jointly offering has been specially curated to take advantage of the respective commercial law expertise of the faculty at both institutions.”

“We believe that the opportunity to study in London and Singapore, both hubs for transnational businesses, will be attractive to candidates who are keen to learn more about legal issues affecting cross-border commercial transactions,” he added.

Professor Spyros Maniatis, Head of CCLS at QMUL, said, “I am delighted that SMU and QMUL are offering this innovative programme allowing students to immerse seamlessly into diverse legal and business cultures, looking at East and West from an international and comparative perspective. Students will be part of an eclectic and dynamic group of students taught by top commercial law academics and practitioners, as part of a unique learning experience that draws on the strengths of both universities.”

Applications for the inaugural intake of the new course will open in late October 2015 and the Universities expect to welcome about 40 students in the first intake which begins in July 2016.

More about Queen Mary University of London and Centre for Commercial Law Studies

[Photo: QMUL's main campus at London's Mile End (Photo courtesy of QMUL).]

QMUL is one of the UK’s leading universities, and one of the largest institutions in the University of London, with 20,260 students from more than 150 countries.  A member of the Russell Group, QMUL works across the humanities and social sciences, medicine and dentistry, and science and engineering, with inspirational teaching directly informed by its research.  It also offers a stunning self-contained residential campus in London’s East End.

QMUL’s Centre for Commercial Law Studies, which specialises in the knowledge and skills in commercial law that can be placed at the service of the UK government, public bodies, overseas institutions, the legal profession, industry and commerce.  Through its specialist schools and institutes, CCLS continues to maintain its lead as one of the top commercial postgraduate law schools in the world.

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The Third Singapore-WTO Policy Dialogue on the World Trading System was held prior to the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC10) under the title ‘Singapore Dialogue on the WTO: 20 Years and Beyond’.  Similar to previous editions of the Dialogue in 2011 and 2013, this year's Dialogue was intended to provide an opportunity for senior government officials to exchange views and brainstorm on issues and challenges confronting the Multilateral Trading System, in light of recent developments in the global economy.  This would involve high-level officials from the Asia-Pacific region in a broad-ranging strategic dialogue on topics such as the MC10, reinvigorating Doha and key issues for the WTO in the next 20 years.

The Dialogue, was held on 19 – 20 October 2015, was sponsored and organised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Government of Singapore, through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), in collaboration with the Singapore Management University (SMU), as part of the agreed activities in the Singapore-WTO MoU signed in 1996 to establish the Singapore-WTO Third Country Training Programme.

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Liu Xuanyi, Mohd Muzhaffar, and Tan Junhong represented SMU in this arbitration moot that featured ten teams from around the region. The moot problem involved issues relating to consolidation, frustration, and duress. The team qualified for the final after four preliminary rounds and a semifinal round. The final against Chinese U of Hong Kong was judged by Professor Yeo Tiong Min SC, Professor Simon Chesterman, and Mr Alastair Henderson. SMU won the moot, with Junhong being named Best Oralist.

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Darius Tay (LLB'2011), while doing his BCL in Oxford, took part in the inaugural JustCite Procedural Justice Mooting Shield competition. The oral rounds at Keble College featured 24 students making arguments on closed material proceedings and the right to a reasoned decision, with Sir Clive Lewis and Martin Chamberlain QC judging the Grand Final. Darius (St Edmund) and his partner Jagdish Menezes (Exeter) won the moot.
 

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Our team on the left, from L-R: Chua Wei Yuan, Carren Thung, Yeo Gek Min, Nicholas Liu, and Kenny Lau

Chua Wei Yuan, Kenny Lau, Nicholas Liu, Carren Thung, and Yeo Gek Min represented SMU in the 4th Jessup national round. This year’s problem canvassed a broad range of issues, such as transboundary harm and jurisdiction in the context of the law of the sea. After two gruelling rounds, the team successfully defended its national round title as well as the Best Oralist title (which went to Nicholas). The national round was judged by Attorney-General Steven Chong, Justice Judith Prakash, and Davinder Singh SC. The team was coached by Assistant Professor Chen Siyaun, who was assisted by SMU Jessup alumni Charles Li and Daniel Liu Zhaoxiang.

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Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Law and Education, Ms Indranee Rajah SC was in Myanmar for a visit from 18 to 20 February 2014 to meet various Myanmar leaders.  She was joined by the deans of Singapore’s law schools, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Law.

On 18 and 19 February 2014, Ms Rajah witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding on Cooperation in Legal Education ("MOU") between the Singapore Management University (SMU) School of Law and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Law, with the University of Yangon Department of Law and the University of Mandalay Department of Law, respectively.

The MOUs aim to promote cooperation in legal education between the universities.  Key areas of cooperation include faculty exchanges, study visits, curriculum planning and design, cooperation in legal education pedagogy, as well as enhancement of legal research and development resources.

Dean of SMU School of Law, Professor Yeo Tiong Min, said, “Myanmar and Singapore share the same common law tradition, and face many similar issues in adapting and applying it in an Asian society. There is much that the universities can learn from one another on issues of law and legal education. The memorandum of understanding will enable the signatory universities to work more closely together to the mutual benefit of all.”  Professor Yeo is also Honorary Senior Counsel (Singapore) and a Yong Pung How Professor of Law.

[Photo: Artist's impression of new SMU School of Law building, slated for completion in 2017.]

[Featured Photo: Signing ceremony at Mandalay University in Myanmar on 19 February 2014. (Front Row L-R) Prof Yeo Tiong Min, SMU Dean of the School of Law;  Dr Saw Pyone Naing, Mandalay University Acting Rector; Prof Simon Chesterman, NUS Dean of the Faculty of Law.  (Back Row) Witnessing the signing were: Singapore Senior Minister of State Ms Indranee Rajah and Singapore’s Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua.]

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Many of us will not forget how SMU’s moot team did us proud by winning the first runner-up position at the renowned Philip C. Jessup Moot 2013, which saw over 600 teams from about 90 countries taking part.  The win was even more notable when you consider that it was SMU’s debut and Singapore’s first appearance since 2004 in the finals of Philip C. Jessup International Round of the (then) 54-year-old competition.

Well, the good news is, SMU will be representing Singapore again in the 2014 Philip C. Jessup International Round, having defended its national title last weekend.

SMU’s team comprising Chua Wei Yuan, Kenny Lau, Nicholas Liu, Carren Thung and Yeo Gek Min beat the National University of Singapore team in the fourth Jessup Singapore national round which took place on 22 February 2014.  Nicholas was also named Best Oralist.

Assistant Professor of Law Chen Siyuan, who heads the SMU Faculty Mooting Committee and oversees the training and development of all SMU moot court teams, said, “I'm happy that we defended our national title.  This team, like last year’s, is capable of going all the way in Washington DC.  We hope to do Singapore proud again.”

Assistant Professor Chen commented that strong support from the SMU community contributed to the good showing.  Various moot alumni guest-judged most of the team's numerous practice rounds leading up to the competition; two of them, Daniel Liu (Asia Cup'2011; Jessup'2013) and Charles Li (Jessup'2012) were particularly instrumental in training the team.  Their efforts were reinforced by faculty from the SMU School of Law who also took time off to guest-judge.  He also credited law faculty who have taught these students in the past, especially the Legal Research & Writing instructors.

The win has spurred the team to give its 100%, as it prepares between late February and April, before it represents Singapore in the 2014 Philip C. Jessup International Round.

Third-year Juris Doctor student Nicholas Liu said, "We're all very grateful to our professors and classmates for their encouragement leading up to the national, and are even more thankful for their continued support as we approach the greater challenges ahead.”

[Featured Photo: (L-R) SMU team: Chua Wei Yuan, Carren Thung, Yeo Gek Min, Nicholas Liu and Kenny Lau, with Justice Judith Prakash, Attorney-General of Singapore Mr Steven Chong and Mr Davinder Singh, SC.]

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In line with SMU Open House 2014,"Faces of SMU Law" is an informal platform spearheaded by The Bar to showcase the student life and diversity of SMU School of Law. In the course of the next three weeks, eight students from SMU School of Law will share snippets of their law school journey on this page:

https:http://www.facebook.com/faceofsmulaw

Personal stories of their ups and downs and their fondest memories will be written and posted by the students themselves.

Add us to your interests lists to stay constantly updated with the latest posts!

[To do so, click on the 'Interests page' and click 'Add Interests'. Then search 'Faces of SMU Law'. After doing so, click 'Follow'!]

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The third edition of the Rodyk Challenge required participating teams to amend and debate parliamentary bills on minimum wage and harassment/cyber-bullying. Lee Heng, Dierdre Grace Morgan, and Sui Yi Siong represented in the Grand Finals held at the Supreme Court, which was judged by Attorney-General Steven Chong SC and Lee Ai Ming and Gerald Singham, partners from Rodyk & Davidson LLP. The championship returned to SMU hands as the SMU team was adjudged to have presented more persuasive speeches and rebuttals.

Photo L-R: Dierdre, Lee Heng, and Yi Siong with the Attorney-General

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