Message from the Director
Asia is more than a geographical region.
It is an idea, once insidious, but now incrementally appropriated through a conscious coming together and deliberate legal construction. This 'Asianization of Asia', borrowing the words of journalist Yoichi Funabachi, is as much a political, socio-cultural, and economic project, as it is a legal project. As Director of the Centre for Asian Legal Studies, my vision is for us to take the lead in defining, articulating, and critiquing this legal project.
We want to define Asian legal studies broadly as encompassing at least four research orientations: (1) single jurisdiction studies within Asia; (2) intra-Asia comparative studies; (3) inter-Asia comparative studies; and (4) Asia-inflected legal theory. Through our work here and in collaboration with our research partners, the Centre serves as a dynamic intellectual hub for Asian legal studies in Singapore, for the region, and the global academic community.
Associate Professor Jaclyn Neo
Director, Centre for Asian Legal Studies
Faculty Profile
Launch
The Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) was established in 2012 as part of NUS Law's strategic positioning as Asia's Global Law School. It is the first of its kind to be established in Asia. Today, CALS plays a pivotal role in developing legal scholarship within the region, offering emerging and established scholars opportunities to spend time at NUS Law to research, teach, and participate in conferences. Our four research clusters serve as intellectual nodes for the Centre's research agenda.
Read the Press Release on the Centre's launch HERE.
Read more about our Research Clusters HERE.
Celebratory Opening
The Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) at NUS Law celebrated the occupation of their physical space and opening with a welcoming dinner buffet on the 27 September 2013. A momentous event for NUS Law, the office at Block B marks a new beginning for CALS which is the first of its kind to be established in Asia.
In his welcome address, Professor Andrew Harding, Founding Director of CALS, said: "Although we have been operating since May 2012, having a great, literally physical, space in which we can interact and ask others to join us is a tremendous advantage. The effects of physical space on the mind are well documented, and we are delighted with the new Centre and what it represents."
At the new opening, Prof Harding gave "big thanks to our Dean, our staff, and to the NUS designers and team that brought this about. We are already making very good use of our new space in the interests of spreading ideas about law throughout the region and beyond."
