There exists a variety of modes by which disputes may be resolved. This Cluster’s research area covers litigation, arbitration and alternative forms of dispute resolution and conflict management such as mediation and negotiation. In this context, private international law, the law of evidence and civil & criminal procedure are relevant. Private international law rules determine which court has jurisdiction, what law that court would apply and which foreign judgments would have legal effect in the forum for civil litigation. The law of evidence determines what evidence may be admitted as proof in legal proceedings, and different procedural rules would apply to civil and criminal actions. 

The research focus in this area relates to Intellectual Property Law and Information and Communications Technology and the Law. In relation to the former, faculty expertise lie in the areas of trademark and copyright law. Research focus on the latter by faculty fall mainly in the areas of Fintech, AI, Internet of Things, Blockchain technology, Cryptocurrencies, E-payment systems and wallets and E-commerce as well as privacy and data protection, Internet intermediaries, disruptive technology and the data economy, smart regulation, cybersecurity and electronic crimes and torts.

The Private Law Cluster facilitates research and debates across all areas of private law including contract, equity, property, restitution, torts, and trusts. It seeks to foster diversity in research perspectives (comparative, doctrinal, economical, historical, policy, theoretical and cross-disciplinary) with the aim of providing a support base for colleagues to produce cutting-edge and high-impact research. It has the further aim of encouraging collaboration between colleagues in the Cluster. 

The Corporate, Finance and Securities Law Cluster studies a wide range of contemporary issues across several legal fields ranging from corporate law and banking or insurance law to contracts, torts or other legal issues underlying commercial or financial transactions. This includes the examination of not only corporate law issues based on statutes or common law but also the wider implications of corporate governance and capital market regulations from comparative and empirical angles. In addition, our faculty research on corporate crimes, mergers and acquisitions, derivatives, financial regulations, and financial or general consumer protection laws.

The Public International law, Regional and Trade Law Cluster focuses on theoretical and substantive issues related to international and transnational law. It also studies trade and investment law, as well as interdisciplinary aspects of economic integration in ASEAN, Europe and Greater China. 

Members of the cluster conduct comparative law research not only across the major legal traditions of the world, but also among different legal traditions within the same jurisdiction. In particular, many members focus mainly on the major jurisdictions in Asia Pacific, such as China, India and Southeast Asian countries. The research also covers issues relating to law and society and commercial law.