Recent tariff tensions and changes in supply chain operations highlight the shifts in global governance and trade policy. The GATT/WTO remains the core trade framework in international law, building on existing platforms of engagement and cooperation to promote global prosperity and peaceful relations.

The CIL-NUS Global Trade Law Academy (TLA) 2026 provides a framework to understand the fundamentals of the international economic legal order and highlights contemporary issues, such as geoeconomics and global trade disruptions.

Spanning 32 classroom hours over 4 weeks (equivalent to a full module at leading law schools), the TLA is taught by internationally-recognized trade law scholars. 

General Course

The eight lessons give an overview of the system with a sharp outlining of its underlying legal principles. This is suitable for those wishing for an introduction to or refresher on the fundamentals of trade law. The General Course lecturer for the 2026 TLA is Dr Johanna Jacobsson. 

Specialization Courses

The 4 specialist modules (2 lessons per week over 4 weeks) spotlight critical topics in Global Trade Law. This is suitable for those who already possess trade law knowledge and want an insight into contemporary issues. Registrants may sign up for as many specializations as they wish. The specialisations offered at the 2026 Global Trade Law Academy are:

1. Dispute Settlement (Dr Michelle Zang)
2. Trade Defences, Remedies, and Anti-dumping (new) (Prof Julian Arato)
3. Regional Trade Agreements (Dr Johanna Jacobsson)
4. Digital Trade Law (Prof Thomas Streinz)

Who should apply?

1. Those for whom international trade law is a principal professional occupation. We are confident that even this group will gain insight. There are always new ways to know that which we know.
2. Those whose professional legal activity is different but intersects with international trade law and may wish to have a better understanding of such intersection.
3. Those who may not even be lawyers, e.g. civil servants in trade policy areas, economic operators whose business activity are impacted by the international trading system and who, too, want to understand the fundamental legal principles of the system.
4. University students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral scholars are also very welcome. 

Please note that NO certificates of attendance will be provided for the 2026 TLA. 

Examination Award

Those wishing may register for an exam to be scheduled following the final lesson. If successfully passed, candidates will receive an Award certificate issued by CIL-NUS. Candidates may select one of two exam formats:

1. The Foundational Exam requires answering 1 General Course Question and 1 Specialization Question.
2. The Advanced Exam requires answering 2 Specialization Questions.

Certificates will be awarded only to those who pass the Exam.

Fees

1. General Course only: SGD 50
2. One Specialization Course only: SGD 50
3. Registration fee for General Course AND One Specialization Course: SGD 100
4. Registration fee for Multiple Specialization Courses: SGD 100
5. Registration fee for General Course AND Multiple Specialization Courses: SGD 150
6. Examination fee: Additional SGD 50 

Academy Faculty

1. Prof Joseph Weiler - New York University School of Law (Convenor)
2. Dr Johanna Jacobsson – IE Law School, Madrid (General Course and Specialization – Regional Trade Agreements)
3. Dr Michelle Zang – Victoria University of Wellington (Specialization – Dispute Settlement)
4. Prof Thomas Streinz – European Union Institute, Florence (Specialization – Digital Trade Law)
5. Prof Julian Arato – University of Michigan (Specialization – Trade Defences, Remedies, and Anti-dumping)