Dubai, UAE: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DIFC Academy of Law, a division of the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority. The MoU, signed by Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and David Gallo, Director, DIFC Academy of Law, will seek collaboration on legal research and training that benefits the UAE legal community.

The agreement also outlines joint organisation of a wide range of legal workshops and conferences that expand the knowledge for legal professionals of commercial law and court procedures across the UAE. Additionally, the MoU will help foster relations between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and other educational institutions in the UAE.

Commenting on the occasion, Professor Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “Our agreement with the Academy of Law comes in line with our continuous commitment to provide our students with bespoke training and learning opportunities. We currently offer a Bachelor programme in Law and two Masters, one in International Business Law and another one in International Law, International Relations and Diplomacy. This agreement will enrich our student’s academic experience, as it will prepare them to the professional life in the field of law through giving them the exposure to the common law that is applicable in the UAE. We look forward to embarking on this new promising project with the Academy of Law”.

David Gallo, Director, DIFC Academy of Law, said: “We are delighted to align with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as part of our mission of preparing legal professionals to operate effectively in an international legal environment.  Sorbonne’s global leadership in legal education and its rich heritage in the civil law tradition make it an ideal partner in our quest for trans-systemic legal system development.”

Professor Eric Canal-Forgues, Head of Department - Law, Law, Economics, and Management at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, added: “Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the Academy of Law share the same philosophy of providing world-class education and training for students and professionals. Therefore, this collaboration via joint training programmes, seminars and conferences for judges, lawyers and students, is a promising addition to the legal community in the UAE.”

The signing ceremony was followed by a conference The influence of French and Egyptian law on Contract and Company law in the GCC, delivered by Dr. Laure de Saint-Pern, Lecturer at Paris-Descartes University and Director of the Master 2 Common Law and Comparative Law.

About Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne University was established in May 2006, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces, and under the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is an Emirati university that benefits from the 760 years of experience of the prestigious Sorbonne, with a state-of-the-art campus located on Al Reem Island that combines comfort with the efficiency of new technologies.

The methodology, education and degrees adopted by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi follow the French Education System. Sorbonne University and Paris-Descartes issue the diplomas and the Ministry of Education in the UAE accredits all.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is immensely proud to continue a remarkable heritage of academic excellence that has been nurtured since the 12th century, and the same pursuit of perfection that has made our parent institution in Paris one of the world’s most prestigious beacons of enlightenment.

Over 1600 students from over 90 countries have graduated from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Visit Sorbonne Abu Dhabi’s website: http://www.sorbonne.ae/   

About the DIFC Academy of Law

The DIFC Academy of Law was established in 2015 as an independent entity to provide quality ancillary services to the UAE legal community. Its core functions include training and regulating lawyers, publishing and disseminating information, hosting events for the legal community, and providing free legal advice for people in need.

The Academy of Law is the first accredited training partner of the Dubai Legal Affairs Department for developing learning and development programs qualifying credits under the new Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) for expatriate legal consultants and Dubai Emirati advocates. The Academy also was accredited by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) as a higher education Training Institute.

© Press Release 2018