Constitutional Theory Conference at Oxford University

On 29 September 2016, a delegation led by Dean of Renmin University Law School, Prof Han Dayuan, attended a two-day conference on the topic of Constitutional Law hosted by Trinity College, Oxford with support from the Great Britain China Centre. Joining Prof Han in the delegation were Professor He Jiahong, Director of the Centre for Common Law; Prof Zhu Jingwen, Director of the Law and Globalisation Research Centre at Renmin University; and Associate Professor Lu Haina, Secretary-General of the Human Rights Research Centre.

The conference explored various constitutional models for restricting arbitrary government in different countries from different perspectives, including the UK, China and Hong Kong.　A range of different views were aired on the evolution of China’s own constitution and the issues faced by lawyers, judges and civil society in the current political environment. The development of the UK’s body of constitutional law was illustrated in a keynote speech by Lord Phillips (the first UK Supreme Court President and former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales).

Concurrent to the conference, Professor Han used the opportunity to appoint Lord Phillips as Co-President of the Academic Advisory Council of the Centre for Common Law. Three other members were also appointed to the ten-member council: Professor Timothy Endicott, Professor ZHU Jingwen and Marina Wheeler QC.

Around 40 scholars attended the conference including prominent China commentators such as the British political economist Mr Will Hutton and Professor Rana Mitter. The Chinese delegation was led by Dean Han, who is also the president of the China Constitutional Law Association and included several of its influential members.

The Constitutional Traditions for East to West conference was held from 29-30 September 2016 at Trinity College Oxford.