Report on the 2024 Asia-Pacific Colloquium of the Journal of Private International Law (JPIL)

On 5–6 December 2024, 18 non-public worldwide attorneys from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore got here collectively on the College of Melbourne for the 2024 Asia-Pacific Colloquium of the Journal of Non-public Worldwide Regulation (JPIL).

The colloquium was the primary since 2018, when it had been held in Japan. The 2024 occasion was expertly hosted by Professor Richard Garnett and Professor Ying Khai Liew of the College of Melbourne Regulation College, and held at College Home at UniMelb’s Parkville campus.

The theme of the 2024 Colloquium was ‘Non-public Worldwide Regulation: Home Regulation or Worldwide Regulation?’. The organisers offered the next immediate to members:

Whereas non-public worldwide legislation types a part of a rustic’s home authorized system, it has additionally been influenced by worldwide developments, corresponding to international choices, scholarly writings, conventions and different transnational devices. Contributors are inspired to think about subjects in non-public worldwide legislation that handle this theme: for instance, some areas have remained wholly home in nature whereas others reveal clear proof of cross- border harmonisation. Is ‘internationalisation’ of personal worldwide legislation all the time achievable or fascinating?

Within the custom of the JPIL’s colloquia, every participant offered a draft paper which was circulated earlier than the occasion. Contributors took various approaches to presenting their work: some offered a high-level abstract of their paper; others targeted on explicit points of their work, or unresolved questions. Every session allowed for loads of time for dialogue. The tone of the dialogue was overwhelmingly constructive: members offered each other with constructive criticism and encouragement in a collegial method.

The occasion was damaged up by occasions on Thursday evening: the launch of the Australasian Affiliation of Non-public Worldwide Regulation at Corrs Chambers Westgarth (write-up to observe), then a scrumptious dinner at a really stylish Melbourne restaurant. (Properly chosen, Richard and Ying.) A good time was had by all.

The occasion demonstrated the good worth of bringing the non-public worldwide legislation group collectively in individual: a possibility to reinforce our writing, our understanding of the self-discipline, and our circle of mates. It obtained me excited for the 2025 JPIL convention in London. I hope my fellow southerners be part of us within the UK at UCL.

The 2024 Colloquium was attended by:

Affiliate Professor Ardavan Arzandeh, Nationwide College of Singapore

Dr Michael Douglas, Bennett – Litigation and Industrial Regulation

Professor Richard Garnett, College of Melbourne

Professor Ying Khai Liew, College of Melbourne

Affiliate Professor Maria Hook, College of Otago

Affiliate Professor Jeanne Huang, College of Sydney

Professor Mary Keyes, Griffith College

Dr Lemuel Lopez, RMIT College

Wilson Lui, College of Melbourne

Professor Reid Mortensen, College of Southern Queensland

Professor Yuko Nishitani, Kyoto College