CESL - Professional Training

The Professional Training Programme of CESL is designed aid China's legal institutions and professionals to better cope with ongoing political, economic and cultural transitions. It aims to enhance knowledge of the Chinese legal profession with regard to European and International Law, as well as to develop relevant practical skills in the major legal professions. At the same time, the programme will strive to educate European professionals involved in legal and business transactions with China on Chinese law. Accordingly, CESL will become a forum for expertise and for the exchange of knowledge between Chinese and European legal professionals.

The Professional Training Programme at CESL will consist of four pillars. The first pillar, referred to as "Fields of Law" will consist of classes on the fundamentals of European, international and comparative law as well as of introductory sessions on further legal subjects of general interest to all target groups. The second pillar, "Practical Skills" will serve the needs of Chinese legal professionals with regard to the technical aspects of their daily work, including computer skills, courtroom techniques and organizational aspects of the work of legal courts and administrations. Classes for the third pillar "New Legal Developments" will offer members of all legal professions highly specialized courses on current legal issues such as new legislation in China on capital markets, direct investments by Chinese businesses in Europe and vice versa, current issues of international commercial law, and etc. Courses for the fourth pillar are by contrast designed for European and international professionals and will focus on China's legal culture and law.

The teaching methods to be applied by CESL's faculty in the Professional Training Programme will vary according to the content and character of the courses and the diversity of professional backgrounds among the participants.

CESL's teaching staff for the Professional Training Programme will consist of carefully selected highly experienced and internationally reputed academics and professionals. The courses on European law, international law and comparative law will primarily be led by academics, whereas some of the more specialized seminars will additionally require the assistance of outstanding professionals (lawyers, judges and prosecutors). The courses related to practical skills and procedure will be mainly conducted by professionals. All lecturers will be assisted by the academic staff of CESL.

To ensure the procurement of relevant expertise and to secure the support of all relevant stakeholders in this process, CESL will establish a China-Europe Network of Professional Training (CENPT). CENPT will provide CESL with continuous access to excellent teaching personnel and the expertise of specialized professional training organizations representing different legal traditions in Europe and China. Members of the network and the membership programme will primarily include: European law firms; bar associations and professional organizations; public bodies for the professional training of judges and prosecutors; European networks for professional training; various associations responsible for professional training in China and the EU; and high ranking government officials.

Professional Training Courses will be held in Chinese and/or in English depending on the language skills of the audience and the topic of the relevant class. When necessary, CESL will provide translations of lectures and class materials in order to meet the audience's needs.

CESL will issue a certificate to each successful participant. The estimated total intake for the programme in the first five years of CESL is 5000 judges and prosecutors, 700 lawyers and 900 European professionals.

During the first CESL General Assembly meeting, held from January 28-30, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany, three sub-committees were created under the General Assembly: the Master Committee, the Professional Training Committee and the Research Committee. The Professional Training Committee will oversee the activities of CESL's Professional Training Programme.

Professional Training Committee: