CENTRE FOR ESG LAW AND PRACTICE
LEGAL EXPERTISE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice at the College of Law is a specialist hub dedicated to education, professional training and applied legal expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG) law.
The Centre supports legal professionals, regulators, executives, and institutions navigating complex ESG obligations across jurisdictions, industries, and regulatory environments, with a strong focus on practical legal application and governance outcomes.
ABOUT THE CENTRE
A Specialist Centre for ESG Law and Governance
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice advances understanding of ESG from a legal and regulatory perspective, supporting organisations responding to increasing expectations around sustainability, governance, risk management, and accountability.
Located within the College of Law, the Centre integrates academic rigour with professional practice, drawing on deep expertise in environmental law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and emerging ESG frameworks.
The Centre contributes to education, research, and collaboration across both domestic and international contexts, including through customised training programs delivered in partnership with governments, institutions, and professional bodies.
WHY ESG LAW MATTERS
ESG as a Core Legal and Governance Issue
ESG considerations increasingly shape legal risk, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, public accountability, and investment decision making. Lawyers and professional advisers play a critical role in interpreting ESG obligations and embedding them into organisational practice.
The Centre focuses on the legal dimensions of ESG, including how environmental, social, and governance requirements are reflected in legislation, regulation, policy frameworks, and enforcement practice across jurisdictions.
ESG EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Professional Learning in ESG Law and Practice
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice delivers practice‑focused education and training designed to build ESG capability across legal and professional audiences.
ESG education may be delivered as:
- Standalone ESG programs
- Modules within leadership or executive education
- Components of customised domestic or international legal training programs
Current ESG‑related offerings include programs focused on:
- ESG law and governance frameworks
- Environmental regulation and compliance
- ESG risk, disclosure, and accountability
- ESG considerations in cross‑border and regulated industries
Programs are tailored to the regulatory environment, industry context, and professional experience of participants.
PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
Working with Institutions and Organisations
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice works with a broad range of partners across government, academia, professional associations, development institutions, and industry.
These partnerships support collaborative education, professional development, and dialogue on ESG law and governance, including in Asia Pacific and international contexts. The Centre prioritises long term relationships and practical collaboration aligned to real world ESG challenges.
OUR PEOPLE
ESG Leadership and Faculty Expertise
The Centre is led and supported by senior academic and practitioner experts with deep experience in ESG law, environmental governance, corporate regulation, and professional practice.
This depth of expertise ensures the Centre’s work is legally rigorous, professionally grounded, and globally informed.
Qualifications: BA (Hons), Law and Politics
Practice Areas: Cross border M&A / ESG / Fintech
Raphael Tay , Law Partnership
Qualifications: PhD (Law), LLM, LLB (Hons)
Practice Areas: Corporate Law
Dr Andy Chiu
Qualifications: LLM, Diploma in Law, BA (Hons)
Practice Areas: Anti Corruption / Int’l Arbitration / Corporate
Martin Polaine , Brooke Chambers
Qualifications: LLB
Practice Areas: Int’l Arbitration / Adjudicator/ Professional Negligence
Karen Gough
Qualifications: LLM, BA (Hons) Law
Practice Areas: Anti-Corruption / Corporate / AML
Arvinder Sambei , Amicus Legal Consultants
Practice Areas: Judicial training / Civil litigation
Justice Mark Whalan
Qualifications: JD, BS
Practice Areas: IP / Cross border M&A / ESG
Michael Chu
Qualifications: LLB
Practice Areas: Int’l Arb / Aerospace Law / Cross border M & A
Helen Tung
Qualifications: LLM, JD, BA
Practice Areas: Int’l Arb / Chinese Law
Professor Donald Lewis
Qualifications: LLM, MSc, LLB
Practice Areas: Int’l Arb / Construction Law
James Lewis
AUSTRALIAN FACULTY
Qualifications: PhD (Law), LLM/MPhil, BA/LLB (Hons)
Practice Areas: General common law / Environmental and planning / ESG
Dr Paul Govind
Qualifications: BA/LLB (Hons)
Practice Areas: Environmental / ESG
Mark Beaufoy
Qualifications: BBus, LLB
Practice Areas: ESG / AML / Banking & Finance
Dominic Tayco
Qualifications: JD, Master of Teaching, BA
Practice Areas: Criminal / Prosecutions
Rebekah Jung
Qualifications: LLM, LLB
Practice Areas: Civil Law / Common law / ESG
Bella Cho
Qualifications: BA/LLB (Hons)
Practice Areas: AI and Law / general common law
Wenee Yap
Qualifications: BIS/LLB
Practice Areas: AI and Law / Family law
Jae Chang
Qualifications: BA/LLB
Practice Areas: Criminal / employment / Civil litigation / Int' arbitration
Shane Prince
ESG IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
ESG and International Legal Practice
The Centre for ESG Law and Practice works closely with the College of Law’s International Programs, contributing ESG expertise to customised training delivered for international partners, including governments, universities, and institutions.
This collaboration supports organisations navigating ESG challenges across jurisdictions, legal systems, and regulatory environments.
CONTACT US TO DISCUSS ESG LEGAL EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OR COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ESG law refers to the legal and regulatory frameworks governing environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance obligations. It includes legislation, regulation, policy, and compliance requirements that affect organisations across sectors.
Programs are designed for legal professionals, in house counsel, regulators, government officials, executives and professionals working in regulated industries.
Yes. ESG education and training programs are customised to reflect organisational objectives, regulatory environments, and participant experience levels.
Yes. ESG programs may be delivered domestically or internationally, including as part of the College of Law’s international legal education programs.
ESG considerations are closely linked to governance structures, regulatory compliance, risk management, and accountability. Legal professionals play a key role in interpreting and applying these obligations in practice.
You can contact the Centre for ESG Law and Practice using the enquiry form on this page to discuss education, training, or collaboration opportunities.
