Bridging law and finance: An in-depth dive into trust law and sovereign debt

I recently had the honour of presenting a seminal paper at the INSOL Early Researcher Academics (ERA) Workshop in Tokyo, a distinguished gathering of minds invested in dissecting the complexities of insolvency law.

My paper, titled ‘Trust Law as an Impartial Mechanism in Tackling Sovereign Debt Defaults: An In-Depth Analysis and Future Perspectives’, seeks to pioneer a discourse on the potential of trust law as a balanced mechanism to resolve sovereign debt defaults.

This venture emanated from a compelling urge to explore the juncture where law and international finance intersect against the backdrop of an ever-evolving global economic landscape. My focus was honed on the roles and limitations of trust law in navigating the convoluted realms of sovereign debt defaults. The objective was to furnish a comprehensive framework that could serve as a linchpin in addressing the myriad challenges tethered to sovereign debt crises.

The discourse unfolded within a collegial and intellectually stimulating milieu, fostering robust discussions among a global audience of scholars and practitioners. The feedback was overwhelmingly constructive, propelling a rich exchange of ideas that transcended geographical and intellectual borders. This experience underscored the criticality of fostering cross-border academic dialogue to drive forward the boundaries of legal and financial scholarship.

My paper found its berth in the reputable Trusts & Trustees Journal, a noteworthy milestone that amplifies the essence and implications of my research to a broader academic and professional audience. Additionally, a blog post titled ‘The Potential of Trust Law in Sovereign Debt Restructuring’ summarising the core arguments of my scholarly article was featured on CLS Blue Sky Blog, an esteemed platform by Columbia Law School. These avenues have further bolstered the dissemination of my work, opening new channels of engagement with fellow scholars, practitioners, and policy aficionados.

The resonance of this academic endeavour was further underscored by my appointment to the INSOL ERA Committee Sub-Committee, a platform that nurtures early-stage academics nurturing a penchant for insolvency law research. This appointment not only stands as a testament to the relevance of my work but also heralds promising collaborations and scholarly engagements in the near future.

My voyage into the intricacies of trust law and sovereign debt was not only an academic expedition but a journey of discovery that extended my horizons. It afforded a prism through which to perceive the broader ramifications of legal frameworks in the global financial architecture. This endeavour has not only enriched my academic sojourn but has also laid a promising foundation for future research and collaborations.

I invite you to delve into the full narrative of this academic journey by accessing my paper and blog post. Your thoughts, questions, and engagements are highly anticipated and welcomed.

Charles Mak is a Lecturer in Law at Robert Gordon University who attended INSOL Tokyo Conference 2023.