Faculty of Law and Guangzhou Arbitration Commission sign memorandum of understanding on professional development collaboration
Oxford University’s Faculty of Law and the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the design and delivery of a new professional development programme in international arbitration and dispute resolution.
The initiative will bring together Oxford’s academic expertise and GZAC’s practical experience in arbitration to create a programme tailored for legal practitioners, arbitrators and business leaders in China.
Developed and taught by members of the Oxford Faculty of Law, the programme will be grounded in the latest research and will feature interactive, discussion-based learning in Oxford. Participants will explore key topics including international arbitration, dispute resolution, international commercial law, and the law of treaties.
Under the agreement, Oxford will provide academic input, teaching resources and quality assurance, while GZAC will facilitate participant engagement and local implementation. The collaboration will also explore opportunities for joint publications, roundtables and annual forums to promote global best practices in arbitration and dispute resolution.
This collaboration builds on the success of the Elite International Arbitration Leadership Programme, held for members of GZAC in October this year at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. The programme featured presentations and discussions led by Oxford Law Professors Freya Baetens, Ariel Ezrachi, Ignacio Cofone, Rebecca Williams, Horst Eidenmüller, and Geneviève Helleringer, and marked a significant step in strengthening institutional ties between Oxford and GZAC.
Professor John Armour, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Oxford University, said: “We are delighted to formalise our collaboration with GZAC following the successful pilot programme last month. This collaboration reflects our commitment to engaging with institutions around the world to advance understanding and practice in key areas of law. We look forward to deepening our academic exchange with GZAC and contributing to the development of future leaders in this important field.”
Wang Tianxi, Chairman of GZAC, said. “This programme provides world-class knowledge and practical insights into international arbitration. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Faculty of Law for their thoughtfully designed curriculum and exceptional teaching. I am confident that this joint programme will achieve even greater success in the future as we continue to expand our cooperation with the Law Faulty – including joint research, academic seminars and beyond.”
