Elizabeth 

WU Zhiqing

Elizabeth WU Zhiqing is a Legal Consultant at international environmental NGO ClientEarth. ClientEarth uses the law, backed by science and economics, to protect people and the planet. Elizabeth works with the private sector, civil society and government regulators on climate-related risks and opportunities in Asia, and leads on initiatives that explore the role of corporate law and investment and trade law to facilitate the transition to a net zero carbon economy. Her research covers the intersection and alignment of international climate and environmental law with international investment and trade law, with a particular focus on ASEAN-relevant multilateral and bilateral treaties.

Prior to joining ClientEarth, Elizabeth was a financial and investment disputes attorney with a background in international economic law. She practised international arbitration and litigation with Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, representing state-linked entities, conglomerates and high net worth individuals in investment and commercial disputes and public law litigation. She was formerly a State Counsel and financial crimes prosecutor with the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore. Her experience includes a Fellowship with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and a clerkship with The Arbitration Chambers in Singapore.

Elizabeth obtained her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in International Economic Law, Business and Policy from Stanford Law School, California, United States of America, in June 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, in June 2009, graduating with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). She was placed on the Overall Dean’s List, ranking among the top 10% of her cohort for all academic years, and received the Dean’s List award for the 2006–2007 academic year.

Presentation

• Panellist in Asia in Focus: ESG Investing and the Business and Human Rights Agenda premiered 13 June 2024

Selected Publications

Articles

• Wu and Boo, “Challenging Orthodoxy: State Immunity from Court Supervisory Jurisdiction in Investor-State Disputes?”, Asian International Arbitration Journal, Vol. 19(2) (2023) 115.

• Wu and Boo, “Of Moving Frontiers and Notes Verbales – Ascertaining the Intentions of State Parties in BITs”, Asian International Arbitration Journal, Vol. 14(1) (2018) 15.

• Wu, “Addressing Multiplicity of Shareholder Claims in ICSID Arbitrations under Bilateral Investment Treaties: A ‘Tiered Approach’ to Prioritising Claims?”, Asian International Arbitration Journal, Vol. 6(2) (2010) 134.

• Environment and Climate Change
• Public International Law
• International Trade and Investment Law
• Clean Energy and Net-zero transition
• Sustainable Finance and Climate Finance
• Corporate Law and Investor Engagement