Call for Applicants: UNLAWS 2018 Program

UNCCA Law-Student Attendance Working-Group Scheme (UNLAWS)

The UNCITRAL National Coordination Committee for Australia (UNCCA) has established a scheme to allow Australian law students to attend UNCITRAL Working Group meetings as part of a delegation with Australian UNCCA Expert members. Expert members of UNCCA have been attending and contributing to the six Working Groups of UNCITRAL since 2013. Further information about the work of the Working Groups can be found on the UNCITRAL website www.uncitral.org.

The Groups

There are six UNCITRAL Working Groups that typically meet biannually, in New York and Vienna. This provides twelve opportunities per year – (however WG II is not meeting in Vienna this year).  To date more than 40 students have attended Working Group sessions with UNCCA delegates, including candidates from the following universities:

• Curtin University

• La Trobe University

• University of Canberra

• University of Newcastle

• University of New South Wales

• University of Queensland

• University of Sydney

• University of Wollongong

• Victoria University

Invitation

UNCCA invites Australian Law Schools to nominate law students to participate in the Scheme for the upcoming Sessions at the UNCITRAL headquarters in Vienna.  The Convenor of the UNLAWS scheme is Dr Alan Davidson, Education Director of UNCCA. Dr Davidson may be contacted: a.davidson@law.uq.edu.au –  07 33652294

The dates for 2018 are:

• Working Group I: Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: 8-12 October 2018, Vienna

• Working Group II: Dispute Settlement – (Not meeting)

• Working Group III: Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform: 29 October-2 November 2018, Vienna

• Working Group IV: Electronic Commerce: 19-23 November 2018 Vienna (Not available for 2018)

• Working Group V: Insolvency Law: 10-14 December 2018, Vienna

• Working Group VI: Security Interests: 17-21 December 2018, Vienna

The aim of the UNLAWS Scheme is to increase awareness of the work of UNCITRAL and to provide students with the unique opportunity to participate in the consideration and formulation of future harmonised legal texts in relation to international trade law.

Participation

Participation in the UNLAWS scheme will be limited to two students per session, based on merit selection.  Not all sessions will be offered.  Students must be self-funded, with individual law schools being encouraged to offer assistance to any students selected. No fee is payable to UNCCA.  UNCCA will arrange for observer status for successful students.

Participation in the Scheme is open to all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (or associated dual program) Master of Laws or postgraduate law program at an Australian Law School.

Students offered participation in the Scheme must fund all private costs (including airfares, accommodation, meals, travel insurance and incidentals – no fee is payable to UNCCA).

Application Procedure – 2018

Applications must be in writing to the Scheme Convenor, Dr Alan Davidson (by email).

Application Deadline for 2018 Vienna Working Groups: 31 August 2018.

Submission Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae (1-5 pages).

• Statement of Interest (2-4 pages). Please indicate any previous courses or experience which relate to the research area of the placement for which you are applying.

• Academic Record.

• Letter of recommendation from a permanent member of the Law School including other relevant details for consideration by UNCCA.

Students may indicate preferences for up to three Working Groups. Decisions and offers of participation will be made by the UNCCA Board.

Welfare and safety

The welfare and safety of students involved is the responsibility of the individual participants. The success of the Scheme will depend upon a high standard of behaviour and courtesy being exhibited by participants.

UNCCA assumes no liability for any costs, expenses or liabilities arising from participation in the Scheme or attendance at a Working Group meeting. Successful participants will be required to have all appropriate passport, visa and travel insurance in place before leaving Australia.

Students receiving a position should make independent inquiries about the risks involved in overseas travel. This should include visiting Smartraveller for current information about risks overseas and how to prepare for overseas travel. Students should register with Smartraveller and subscribe to relevant travel advisories before starting their Project (http://smartraveller.gov.au/).