Shanghai court, university jointly launch course on int'l legal practices

Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court and Tongji University jointly launched a course on international legal practices on March 11, aiming to foster a fusion of theory and practical skills while nurturing talent in foreign legal affairs.

The inaugural session offered to law majors at the university was led by Mao Haibo, vice-president of the court, focused on hot topics and prospects in international commercial judgments. The lecture seamlessly integrated theory with real-world scenarios, offering a rich array of content and vivid case studies.

Drawing from quite a number of complex international cases handled by the Pudong court, Mao delved into how judges precisely distill points of contention and apply international regulations correctly, thereby enhancing China's judicial influence internationally.

This not only exposed students to the complexities of judicial practice, but also helped them grasp the rigorous legal logic and value judgments behind judicial decisions, said Mao.

At the opening ceremony of the course, Zhao Xianzhong, vice-president of Tongji University, emphasized the school's commitment to cultivating talent in international legal affairs, outlining concrete measures in faculty recruitment, curriculum development, research project setting, and infrastructure building.

"Moving forward, the university plans to consolidate resources to establish itself as a hub for specialized talent development," he said.

The course on international legal practices will cover topics, such as international criminal law, international civil and commercial law, intellectual property rights, and international finance, aiming to broaden students' legal perspectives, enhance their overall legal literacy, and improve their skills in international judicial practice.

"Integrating international conventions, this first session of the course has enriched my understanding of foreign legal systems and strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in international legal practice," said Wang Yunshi, a student taking the course.

So far, the Pudong court has collaborated with five universities in Shanghai to offer semester-long courses on international judicial practices. Judges from the court have conducted 54 sessions for both Master's and undergraduate students, benefiting over 3,300 young people.