Murdoch University is the first Australian university to offer an innovative Postgraduate Certificate in Chinese Law. Created by Professor Gabriël Moens, Dean of the School of Law, the Chinese Law Program aims at helping lawyers, other professionals and law students to understand the real China – both its vigorous economic and legal development and its thousand years of history and culture.
This programme is offered in partnership with City University of Hong Kong, a leading University in the Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong is a fantastic, modern and diverse city, and is a gateway to mainland China.
This Program is directed by Dr. Ken Shao, who is a scholar specialising in intellectual property law and China’s legal and cultural issues. He has unique knowledge and experience to offer to our participants and is always willing to help. He will accompany the class to Hong Kong throughout the entire teaching period.
Is this Program welcomed by the Australian legal professions and industries?
Absolutely! A number of participants who went on to be interviewed by major law firms or companies was asked about their experience in China. This is not surprising because Australian companies are keen to seek business opportunities with China. Australian law firms travel to China on regular basis to attract Chinese clients, mainly within the mining sectors. Many Australian resource companies are waiting for investment from China to assist in recovery from the global financial crisis.
Minter Ellison Lawyers, one of the largest law firms in the Asia-Pacific region, donates $10,000 to this Program as scholarships and travel allowances for participants. This firmly demonstrates the great importance of this Program.
Why is “China knowledge” so important?
China is Australia’s most important trading partner.
Australia’s mining industry supplies almost half of its products to China each year. In particular, WA is uniquely positioned as Australia’s largest producer of resources. In addition, Chinese investment in Australia has grown rapidly in recent years: the Australian Federal Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved Chinese investments totalling A$30 billion in the 18 months to 31 March 2009, compared with about A$20 billion in the previous 20 years. Over one hundred large investment applications from China have been approved in the past 18 months to November 2009 by the FIRB.
The recent global financial crisis further evidences the strength of China’s economy and its fundamental importance to the continuous prosperity of Australia’s economy. Some leading experts suggest that by 2025, China will become the strongest economy in the world.
Photos taken during the previous offering of the programme can be viewed via this link.
Introduction to the Chinese Legal System
Successfully doing business with China requires a deep understanding of the unique nature of the Chinese legal system. This Unit gives an historical overview of the changing role of law in China in the context of international treaties, global market forces and judicial justice.
Chinese Contract & Commercial Law
Contract and commercial law are the foundations of doing business with China. This Unit probes the fundamental aspects of Chinese contract and commercial law relating to contract formation, validity, performance, discharge and breach to ascertain how China responds to the demands of a complex, market-driven economy.
International Intellectual Property
IP always plays a key role in business competition and is one of the hottest topics debated in the world. A good knowledge of Chinese IP law is essential to ensure business growth in the Chinese market where IP infringements frequently occur. This Unit surveys China’s new role under international treaties such as TRIPs and various IP strategies for Australian business in China.
A background in Law is not required and undergraduate students may be eligible. To find out whether you are eligible, please contract the Program Director, Dr. Ken Shao, for details.
| MINTER ELLISON TRAVEL ALLOWANCES & PRIZES |
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Minter Ellison, one of the leading law firms in Asia-Pacific region, has donated $10,000 to the program to help our students go to China.
For information on the launch event for the Minter Ellison Chinese Law Sponsorship, please click here.
The following scholarships are available:
- The first 20 successful applicants will receive $250 as a Minter Ellison Chinese Law Travel Allowance.
- Four Minter Ellison prizes of $750 will be awarded on completion of the programme on the basis of a combination of leadership, academic performance and commitment.
- Four Second Prizes of $500 will be awarded on completion of the programme for leadership, academic performance and commitment.
Further information on financial assistance to students in the forthcoming programme is currently being finalised, and will be published to this page shortly.
The tuition fee for 2010 has been set at AU$5,976. Students who are Australian Citizens may apply for deferral of the tuition fees through the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP or HECS scheme.
Please note the tuition fee does not include airfares, accommodation, insurance, living expenses and other costs. To avoid any potential risks, please note that applicants are not recommended to start to prepare for their travel (such as applying for visa, booking flights and accommodation etc) before their offer is issued and before they receive notice from the Program Director to do so. It is the students’ responsibility to arrange their own travel and Murdoch University does not bear any responsibility should the participants fail to do so.
Participants will be able to take advantage of high-quality accommodation at a competitive cost. The estimated accommodation cost in Hong Kong is around A$38 per room per night.
Please contact the Programme Director, Dr. Ken Shao, for application. Dr. Shao will be with you during your entire period of study in Zhengzhou, China. A scholar specialising in intellectual property law and China’s legal and cultural issues, he will be very happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please do not hesitate to contact him at:
Dr. Ken Shao, PhD (London), LLM (London), LLB (Nanjing)
Law Lecturer
Tel: (08) 9360 6276
Email: Ken.Shao@murdoch.edu.au
Website: www.law.murdoch.edu.au/staffs/ken.shao.html
