Discussion at the Fourth International Judicial Roundtable Focuses on Tech and Climate as Crucial Matters in Business Judiciary and Dispute Settlement
In April 2024, Durham Law School, in collaboration with the Durham International Dispute Resolution Institute and Singapore Courts, hosted the 4th International Judicial Roundtable. The event, which took place outside of Asia, marked Durham Law School's strategic commitment to internationalization.
The roundtable brought together judges and policymakers from various jurisdictions, including Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, India, the UK, Germany, Indonesia, and Korea. The focus of the discussions was on Technology and Climate Change, with sub-topics such as artificial intelligence, data protection and privacy, disinformation, and climate change litigation.
Leading academic and policy speakers addressed the roundtable on these topics, aiming to advance thought leadership on key issues affecting commercial courts and the international commercial dispute resolution ("ICDR") system. The attending judges discussed the interface between the topics and justice systems, sharing best practices and exploring judicial approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation.
The roundtable also served as a catalyst for exploring job opportunities and fostering career networking among the student body. Student volunteers from Durham Law School assisted in the transcription of the roundtable discussions for a book publication, which is led by Durham Law School Honorary Professor Anselmo Reyes. The book will be published through Hart Publishing.
In addition, the event provided opportunities for law students to engage in fireside chats with judges from their respective regions. Chinese judges met with Chinese students, Indian judges mingled with Indian students, and Hong Kong and Singapore judges interacted with students from their respective schools.
While specific detailed outcomes of the roundtable are not yet available, the context suggests that the event emphasized the role of courts in managing climate change litigation and technology-related disputes, encouraging cross-jurisdictional dialogue on judicial approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation, and promoting awareness of emerging technological tools in judicial decisions concerning environmental harms and corporate accountability.
This aligns with the broader ongoing international discourse on climate change litigation involving states and corporations, as well as the judicial engagement in climate-related issues. The roundtable likely contributed to shaping the future of climate justice by fostering dialogue between judiciary members on integrating technology to address climate change legal challenges.
[1] For more precise information about formal declarations, resolutions, or identified follow-up actions from the Roundtable itself, these may be found in official announcements by Durham Law School or the Singapore Courts post-event.
- The 4th International Judicial Roundtable, which focused on Technology and Climate Change, highlighted the significance of Environmental Science in addressing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
- In the realm of Education and Self-Development, the roundtable provided law students with the opportunity to connect with judges, discuss climate change litigation, and learn about the role of technology in addressing climate change legal challenges.
