Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and DIFC Academy of Law partnership to drive trans-systemic legal development

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DIFC Academy of Law, a division of the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority. The MoU, signed by Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and David Gallo, Director, DIFC Academy of Law, will seek collaboration on legal research and training that benefits the UAE legal community.

The agreement also outlines joint organisation of a wide range of legal workshops and conferences that expand the knowledge for legal professionals of commercial law and court procedures across the UAE. Additionally, the MoU will help foster relations between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and other educational institutions in the UAE.

Commenting on the occasion, Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “Our agreement with the Academy of Law comes in line with our continuous commitment to provide our students with bespoke training and learning opportunities. We currently offer a Bachelor programme in Law and two Masters, one in International Business Law and another one in International Law, International Relations and Diplomacy. This agreement will enrich our student’s academic experience, as it will prepare them to the professional life in the field of law through giving them the exposure to the common law that is applicable in the UAE. We look forward to embarking on this new promising project with the Academy of Law”.

David Gallo, Director, DIFC Academy of Law, said: “We are delighted to align with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as part of our mission of preparing legal professionals to operate effectively in an international legal environment.  Sorbonne’s global leadership in legal education and its rich heritage in the civil law tradition make it an ideal partner in our quest for trans-systemic legal system development.”

Professor Eric Canal-Forgues, Head of Department - Law, Law, Economics, and Management at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, added: “Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the Academy of Law share the same philosophy of providing world-class education and training for students and professionals. Therefore, this collaboration via joint training programmes, seminars and conferences for judges, lawyers and students, is a promising addition to the legal community in the UAE.”

The signing ceremony was followed by a conference The influence of French and Egyptian law on Contract and Company law in the GCC, delivered by Dr. Laure de Saint-Pern, Lecturer at Paris-Descartes University and Director of the Master 2 Common Law and Comparative Law.