The history of great legal systems seems to be part and parcel of the history of great cultures and successful societies. From Plato’s Republic to the great Roman Code of Justinian, and from the Analects of Confucius to the Napoleonic Code, legal history appears to be inextricably interconnected with political, social and economic strength.

  • Is this just anecdotal or coincidental?
  • An artifact of the way we write or study history?
  • Or is there something more fundamental at work?

Recent empirical scholarship suggests a connection between fundamental characteristics of a country’s legal system and its capacity for economic growth and development. The potential implications of this research are far-reaching for international policy-makers, for governments and agencies that fund economic development and for businesses looking to compete in global markets. Understanding how historical and existing legal regimes have influenced economic development may suggest opportunities for legal reform.

  • What legal systems are likely to provide the best environment for investment and business?
  • Is a common law system really more conducive to economic development than a civil law system?
  • What is the role of an independent judiciary in fostering economic development?
  • Does private international arbitration provide an alternative that promotes economic development?

We explored these and other questions in a conference of academics, practitioners and judges who focused on the issue of whether, and if so, how, legal and judicial infrastructure affects economic development.

Date

Oct. 28, 2005

Schedule
2005
Friday, October 28th
8:30 AM

Conference Introduction

Clark Kelso, University of the Pacific

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
8:45 AM

Legal and Judicial Infrastructure and Economic Development

Daniel M. Klerman, University of Southern California

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
9:15 AM

Commentary and Discussion

Troy Paredes, Washington University School of Law
Bruce Janigian, American University of Armenia
Michael P. Malloy, University of the Pacific

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
11:00 AM

Private Dispute Resolution and Economic Development

Susan D. Franck, University of Nebraska School of Law
Lisa Bingham, Indiana University
Dan Kolkey, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
12:30 PM

Lunch and Speaker

J. Clark Kelso, University of the Pacific

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
2:00 PM

The Role of Judicial Independence

Jing Liu, Supreme Court of China
Wang Juan, National Judges' College
Sam Rugege, Supreme Court of Rwanda
Consuelo Callahan, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Brian Landberg, University of the Pacific

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM