The Jones Day Distinguished Visitor Lecture on Comparative Commercial Law: The Rule of Law and Commercial Dispute Resolution

An evening of rigorous ideas, lived judicial experience, and global perspective transformed the Jones Day Distinguished Lecture into a vibrant and timely exchange on the rule of law and commercial dispute resolution at The Westin, Singapore.

The lecture, held on 22 January 2026, was jointly hosted by Jones Day and the EW Barker Centre for Law and Business, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. The Chief Guest was The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C., former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, whose address drew deeply from more than six decades of engagement with the law, courts, and public institutions.

Chief Justice McLachlin spoke with clarity and urgency about the pressures confronting the rule of law across jurisdictions. She cautioned against normalising its erosion and framed the rule of law around three essential pillars: laws enacted through constitutionally valid processes, independent and effective adjudication of disputes, and the impartial enforcement of judicial decisions. These elements, she observed, are indispensable not only to democratic legitimacy but also to the confidence on which commercial activity depends.

Turning to commercial dispute resolution, Chief Justice McLachlin traced the evolution of commercial law from domestic courts to international arbitration and the emergence of international commercial courts. She emphasised that commerce cannot function without predictability, enforceable rights, and trusted adjudicative processes, and noted that where domestic systems weaken, commercial actors increasingly turn to rule-based international mechanisms. She also addressed the legal challenges posed by technological change, including artificial intelligence, urging legal institutions to innovate while remaining anchored in core legal values.

The Guest of Honour, Chief Justice of Singapore Sundaresh Menon, offered opening reflections that situated the lecture within Singapore’s long-standing commitment to the rule of law and its central role in the nation’s commercial and judicial development. Beyond his remarks, Chief Justice Menon took part in a lively and thought-provoking discussion with the audience, engaging directly with questions on global cooperation, emerging legal challenges, and the responsibility of courts and lawyers in defending rule-based systems.

The discussion was moderated by Sushma Jobanputra, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day’s Singapore office, who guided a dynamic exchange in which both Chief Justice Menon and Chief Justice McLachlin responded with analytical rigour to audience questions, further enriching the dialogue.

Among the notable attendees were Professor Hans Tjio, Director, and Associate Professor Tan Zhong Xing, Deputy Director, of the EW Barker Centre for Law and Business, underscoring the strong partnership between the legal profession and academia.

The evening concluded with sustained engagement from the floor, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening the rule of law as a cornerstone of justice, stability, and economic prosperity in a rapidly changing world.

(From left) Professor Tjio Hans (NUS Law), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Supreme Court), The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C. (Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada), Ms Sushma Jobanputra (Jones Day Singapore) and Associate Professor Tan Zhong Xing (NUS Law)

Ms Sushma Jobanputra (Partner-in-Charge Singapore, Jones Day) delivering the welcome speech

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Supreme Court) giving speech

Ms Sushma Jobanputra (Partner-in-Charge Singapore, Jones Day) moderating an interactive Q&A

Audience posing a question