From interstate conflict to the threat of the climate crisis, the world faces challenges that require an unprecedented level of cooperation and a strong system of international governance to resolve. Yet the system of international governance established after World War II is in turmoil. International institutions are increasingly deadlocked or dysfunctional, and our rules-based system is under attack. Conflict proliferates and systems of dispute resolution must adapt.
The Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution (CIGAD) at The Dickson Poon School of Law brings together academics, policymakers and practitioners working in the areas of international law and dispute resolution to help tackle these global challenges. The Centre works with a growing network of global partners in collaborative research projects. We offer a wide range of events open to the public.
The Centre provides students with the opportunity to participate in world-leading research and to engage in discussions on the critical issues facing the international community.
Activities
Past event - Book launch for "The UN Security Council and International Law"
On 13 October 2022, CIGAD hosted the book launch of "The UN Security Council and International Law" (CUP 2022), written by Sir Michael Wood KCMG, barrister at Twenty Essex and the principal Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1999-2006) and Eran Sthoeger, litigator, consultant and advisor on public international law. Sir Michael and Eran presented an overview of the book followed by comments from four distinguished discussants: Sam Daws, Senior Practitioner Associate in the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford and former Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the UK; Karin Landgren, Executive Director, Security Council Report and former senior UN official, including leading three political and peacekeeping missions; Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG QC, Distinguished Fellow, International Law, Chatham House and former legal adviser in the UK diplomatic service; and Doug Wilson OBE, Director General of the UK Attorney General’s Office and former member of the UK’s Security Council team in the UK Mission in New York. The discussion was moderated by Professor Philippa Webb, Director of CIGAD. The River Room was full with interested academics, practitioners and students. Although the book was finalised prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the authors reflected on the implications of the conflict for the present and future of the UN Security Council and engaged in a lively exchange with discussants and the audience.
Past Event - Sanctions: Why Their Regulation Matters
26th April 2022, 16:00-17:30 (BST) The Case of Russia and Beyond (co-organised with the University of Portsmouth Democratic Citizenship Theme and the Centre for Trade and Investment Law)
PCA Fellowship
Permanent Court of Arbitration Fellowship
Please note, applications for the Fellowship are currently closed.
CIGAD offers a one-year fellowship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague. The fellowship provides recent law graduates of The Dickson Poon School of Law an extraordinary opportunity to start a career in international dispute resolution. King’s College London is one of a select group of universities offering their recent graduates such an opportunity.
The PCA is an intergovernmental organisation tasked with facilitating arbitration and other modes of dispute resolution between States, State entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties. Established by treaty in 1899, today the PCA has 122 Contracting Parties, has seen its caseload grow exponentially through recent years, and is currently administering over 160 cases.
Terms of the Fellowship
The CIGAD PCA Fellow spends one year as Assistant Legal Counsel of the PCA. The Fellow assists in providing legal advice to the Secretary-General, support to arbitral tribunals and parties in PCA proceedings including at hearings; promotion of the PCA amongst law firms, governments, international organisations; and drafting, research and speaking assignments as directed by the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary General/Principal Legal Officer.
Potential fellows have to be recent graduates (up to 3 years, including both LLB and LLM students, students in their final year may apply) of The Dickson Poon School of Law, preferably with a course of study including modules on international dispute resolution. They need to display superior writing and research skills, a strong academic and/or professional record and interest in the subjects of international arbitration, alternative dispute resolution and public international law. Fluency in English or French is essential, knowledge of other languages is desirable. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are required, as well.
The fellow receives a stipend based on a 12-month fellowship term and one round-trip economy class ticket from the UK that is reimbursed by the School.
Former PCA Fellows
Balla Galma Godana, PCA Fellow 2020/2021
"The fellowship is an enriching and exciting dive into the practice of international arbitration."
Balla is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a trained mediator and arbitrator. She presently works as an Assistant Legal Counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), where she provides support to arbitral tribunals. Prior to joining the PCA, she managed an ADR centre in Nairobi, Kenya where she coordinated various training and practice initiatives aimed at promoting mediation in commercial disputes. She has also worked with the Judiciary of Kenya as a lead rapporteur for its informal justice systems project.
Balla graduated from King’s with an LLM in International Dispute Resolution in 2019. She was the King’s College London PCA Fellow in 2020/2021.
Jinyoung Seok, PCA Fellow 2019/2020
"The fellowship was an incredible stepping stone to not only gain experience in the practical and legal aspects of international arbitration but also to work with highly talented international lawyers from all over the world."
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jinyoung graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and East Asian Studies. After working in the educational and financial sectors in Mongolia and South Korea, Jinyoung obtained a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School and was admitted to the bars in Minnesota (2017) and New York (2020). Further, she obtained an LL.M degree with a specialisation in International Dispute Resolution from King’s College London.
Jinyoung is currently an Assistant Legal Counsel at the PCA, where she joined as a fellow in September 2019.
Giorgia Sangioulo, PCA Fellow 2018/2019
"The fellowship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration was an unparalleled opportunity to learn the ins and outs of international arbitration at the oldest and most prestigious arbitral secretariat in the world, while at the same time gathering invaluable material for my Ph.D. thesis on the interface between international investment arbitration and EU law.
"My daily work was an exciting mix of assistance to arbitral tribunals in high profile investor-state, state to state, and commercial arbitrations and more diplomacy-related tasks for the Administrative Council. All this in a truly international environment and in the beautiful setting of the Peace Palace in The Hague.
"It was a truly unique opportunity, and I am very grateful to Holger, Philippa and the CIGAD (or the King’s Forum on International Dispute Resolution, as it was called at the time) for the incredible experience."
Antonia Cavedon, PCA Fellow 2017/2018
"The Fellowship allowed me to gain an invaluable insight on the work of the International Bureau. The caseload administered by the PCA is interesting and diverse, including inter-state, investor-state, and contractual disputes, as well as appointing-authority matters.
"The broad range of matters provides a complete picture on international dispute resolution services. The opportunity to work directly with such experienced and brilliant lawyers from varying jurisdictions teaches one how to approach legal issues from different perspectives, which is certainly a must-have skill for any future international lawyer.
"This opportunity also provides the possibility of being involved in a wide range of institutional and diplomatic activities with the Contracting Parties to the international treaties that established the PCA. This Fellowship is a wonderful stepping-stone for anyone wanting to further pursue a career in international public law and dispute resolution."
Domenico Cucinotta, PCA Fellow 2016/2017
"Little did I know at the time that the PCA Fellowship would be a transformative experience in my career. My year at the PCA, assisting arbitral tribunals in inter-State, investor-State and contract-based cases involving States or State-related entities, provided me with unparalleled insight into the lifecycle of an arbitration and how different practitioners from around the globe approach the arbitration process. This experience has held me in good stead as I developed my career in the international arbitration team at White & Case in Paris, France before returning home Sydney, Australia and joining King & Wood Mallesons."
Domenico Cucinotta completed her LLM at King’s College, London in September 2016 and from there went straight to The Hague as the inaugural fellow from King’s to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Domenico is currently a Senior Associate in King & Wood Mallesons’ global arbitration team where she acts as counsel and advocate in international arbitrations under various institutional rules, including most recently two significant arbitrations under the ICC Rules. She has experience as counsel in disputes across a number of industry sectors, including disputes related to: banking & finance; ecommerce & technology; energy & resources (including nuclear energy) and large construction projects.
Activities
Past event - Book launch for "The UN Security Council and International Law"
On 13 October 2022, CIGAD hosted the book launch of "The UN Security Council and International Law" (CUP 2022), written by Sir Michael Wood KCMG, barrister at Twenty Essex and the principal Legal Adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1999-2006) and Eran Sthoeger, litigator, consultant and advisor on public international law. Sir Michael and Eran presented an overview of the book followed by comments from four distinguished discussants: Sam Daws, Senior Practitioner Associate in the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford and former Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the UK; Karin Landgren, Executive Director, Security Council Report and former senior UN official, including leading three political and peacekeeping missions; Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG QC, Distinguished Fellow, International Law, Chatham House and former legal adviser in the UK diplomatic service; and Doug Wilson OBE, Director General of the UK Attorney General’s Office and former member of the UK’s Security Council team in the UK Mission in New York. The discussion was moderated by Professor Philippa Webb, Director of CIGAD. The River Room was full with interested academics, practitioners and students. Although the book was finalised prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the authors reflected on the implications of the conflict for the present and future of the UN Security Council and engaged in a lively exchange with discussants and the audience.
Past Event - Sanctions: Why Their Regulation Matters
26th April 2022, 16:00-17:30 (BST) The Case of Russia and Beyond (co-organised with the University of Portsmouth Democratic Citizenship Theme and the Centre for Trade and Investment Law)
PCA Fellowship
Permanent Court of Arbitration Fellowship
Please note, applications for the Fellowship are currently closed.
CIGAD offers a one-year fellowship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague. The fellowship provides recent law graduates of The Dickson Poon School of Law an extraordinary opportunity to start a career in international dispute resolution. King’s College London is one of a select group of universities offering their recent graduates such an opportunity.
The PCA is an intergovernmental organisation tasked with facilitating arbitration and other modes of dispute resolution between States, State entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties. Established by treaty in 1899, today the PCA has 122 Contracting Parties, has seen its caseload grow exponentially through recent years, and is currently administering over 160 cases.
Terms of the Fellowship
The CIGAD PCA Fellow spends one year as Assistant Legal Counsel of the PCA. The Fellow assists in providing legal advice to the Secretary-General, support to arbitral tribunals and parties in PCA proceedings including at hearings; promotion of the PCA amongst law firms, governments, international organisations; and drafting, research and speaking assignments as directed by the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary General/Principal Legal Officer.
Potential fellows have to be recent graduates (up to 3 years, including both LLB and LLM students, students in their final year may apply) of The Dickson Poon School of Law, preferably with a course of study including modules on international dispute resolution. They need to display superior writing and research skills, a strong academic and/or professional record and interest in the subjects of international arbitration, alternative dispute resolution and public international law. Fluency in English or French is essential, knowledge of other languages is desirable. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are required, as well.
The fellow receives a stipend based on a 12-month fellowship term and one round-trip economy class ticket from the UK that is reimbursed by the School.
Former PCA Fellows
Balla Galma Godana, PCA Fellow 2020/2021
"The fellowship is an enriching and exciting dive into the practice of international arbitration."
Balla is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a trained mediator and arbitrator. She presently works as an Assistant Legal Counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), where she provides support to arbitral tribunals. Prior to joining the PCA, she managed an ADR centre in Nairobi, Kenya where she coordinated various training and practice initiatives aimed at promoting mediation in commercial disputes. She has also worked with the Judiciary of Kenya as a lead rapporteur for its informal justice systems project.
Balla graduated from King’s with an LLM in International Dispute Resolution in 2019. She was the King’s College London PCA Fellow in 2020/2021.
Jinyoung Seok, PCA Fellow 2019/2020
"The fellowship was an incredible stepping stone to not only gain experience in the practical and legal aspects of international arbitration but also to work with highly talented international lawyers from all over the world."
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jinyoung graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and East Asian Studies. After working in the educational and financial sectors in Mongolia and South Korea, Jinyoung obtained a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School and was admitted to the bars in Minnesota (2017) and New York (2020). Further, she obtained an LL.M degree with a specialisation in International Dispute Resolution from King’s College London.
Jinyoung is currently an Assistant Legal Counsel at the PCA, where she joined as a fellow in September 2019.
Giorgia Sangioulo, PCA Fellow 2018/2019
"The fellowship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration was an unparalleled opportunity to learn the ins and outs of international arbitration at the oldest and most prestigious arbitral secretariat in the world, while at the same time gathering invaluable material for my Ph.D. thesis on the interface between international investment arbitration and EU law.
"My daily work was an exciting mix of assistance to arbitral tribunals in high profile investor-state, state to state, and commercial arbitrations and more diplomacy-related tasks for the Administrative Council. All this in a truly international environment and in the beautiful setting of the Peace Palace in The Hague.
"It was a truly unique opportunity, and I am very grateful to Holger, Philippa and the CIGAD (or the King’s Forum on International Dispute Resolution, as it was called at the time) for the incredible experience."
Antonia Cavedon, PCA Fellow 2017/2018
"The Fellowship allowed me to gain an invaluable insight on the work of the International Bureau. The caseload administered by the PCA is interesting and diverse, including inter-state, investor-state, and contractual disputes, as well as appointing-authority matters.
"The broad range of matters provides a complete picture on international dispute resolution services. The opportunity to work directly with such experienced and brilliant lawyers from varying jurisdictions teaches one how to approach legal issues from different perspectives, which is certainly a must-have skill for any future international lawyer.
"This opportunity also provides the possibility of being involved in a wide range of institutional and diplomatic activities with the Contracting Parties to the international treaties that established the PCA. This Fellowship is a wonderful stepping-stone for anyone wanting to further pursue a career in international public law and dispute resolution."
Domenico Cucinotta, PCA Fellow 2016/2017
"Little did I know at the time that the PCA Fellowship would be a transformative experience in my career. My year at the PCA, assisting arbitral tribunals in inter-State, investor-State and contract-based cases involving States or State-related entities, provided me with unparalleled insight into the lifecycle of an arbitration and how different practitioners from around the globe approach the arbitration process. This experience has held me in good stead as I developed my career in the international arbitration team at White & Case in Paris, France before returning home Sydney, Australia and joining King & Wood Mallesons."
Domenico Cucinotta completed her LLM at King’s College, London in September 2016 and from there went straight to The Hague as the inaugural fellow from King’s to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Domenico is currently a Senior Associate in King & Wood Mallesons’ global arbitration team where she acts as counsel and advocate in international arbitrations under various institutional rules, including most recently two significant arbitrations under the ICC Rules. She has experience as counsel in disputes across a number of industry sectors, including disputes related to: banking & finance; ecommerce & technology; energy & resources (including nuclear energy) and large construction projects.
Group leads
Holger Hestermeyer
Co-Director of CIGAD
Philippa Webb
Co-Director of CIGAD
Contact us
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