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Professor Rafael Leal-Arcas, PhD & MRes (EUI), JSM (Stanford), LLM (Columbia), MPhil (LSE), BA & LLB (Granada), Exec. Educ. (Harvard, Yale, Oxford), Barrister & Solicitor (Madrid)

Rafael

Professor of European and International Economic Law, Jean Monnet Chair in EU International Economic Law

Email: r.leal-arcas@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7882 8071
Room Number: Lincoln's Inn Fields

Profile

with the financial support of the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union, which funded my Jean Monnet Chair in EU International Economic Law (project number 575061-EPP-1-2016-1-UK-EPPJMO-CHAIR).
with the financial support of the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union, which funded my Jean Monnet Chair in EU International Economic Law (project number 575061-EPP-1-2016-1-UK-EPPJMO-CHAIR).

Rafael is the Jean Monnet Chaired Professor of EU International Economic Law at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), holds the first ever Jean Monnet Chair in EU International Economic Law awarded in the UK by the European Commission, is Professor of European and International Economic Law, Program Director of the LLM in International Economic Law, and the former Director of Research at QMUL's Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). He teaches, and is the convenor of, the courses WTO Law; International Economic Law; Trade, Climate Change and Energy: EU and international perspectives; International Trade and Investment Law of the EU; as well as the External Relations Law of the European Union in the LLM program. In addition, he teaches International Investment Law and Policy as well as Climate Change Law and Policy in the LLM programme.

Rafael has delivered keynote speeches and invited lectures at major conferences and policy-making events in the field of energy, such as: the International Energy Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; on climate change, such as Yale Workshop on Trade and Climate Change, Yale University, 2017; 35th Round Table on Sustainable Development, OECD, Paris, 2017; Annual high-level conference of the Institut Francais des Rel. Int’les, Paris, 2013; and economic law, such as 3rd Bi-annual conference of the Society of International Economic Law, National University of Singapore, 2012; 4th European Society of International Law International Economic Law, Estonia, 2011; 10th Euro-Latin Network on Integration and Trade conference, Inter-American Development Bank, Milan, 2012; 10th Annual WTO Conference, Georgetown Law Center and the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London, UK, 2010. Rafael has also delivered lectures at very well-known institutions such as Oxford University, 2018; the American Society of International Law, U.S., 2008; Harvard University, U.S., 2006; and the US Court of International Trade, New York, 2005. As of December 2021, Rafael had given over 233 keynote speeches or talks in 52 countries.   

In 2011-2013, he served as a Marie Curie COFIT Senior Research Fellow at the World Trade Institute (University of Bern) in the framework of the EU FP7 research fellowship programme. He has thrice been a Drapers' Award nominee for excellence in teaching. In 2008, Rafael was named the best teacher of the University of Vienna School of Law 2008 Summer School (NICLAS), of which Queen Mary University of London is a participant. From 2006-2009, he was Deputy Director of Graduate Studies at CCLS.

Rafael supervises LLM and PhD dissertations in his field of expertise. He successfully won several research grants, most notably a grant of EUR17 million as part of a consortium of 21 institutions for the WiseGRID project to work on renewable energy and smart grids, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program on research and innovation, where he serves as a principal investigator.

Rafael is the author of the books Climate Clubs for a Sustainable Future: The role of international trade and investment law (Kluwer Law International, 2021), The Great Energy Transition in the European Union, Volume 1 (Eliva Press, 2020), The Great Energy Transition in the European Union, Volume 2 (Eliva Press, 2020), Solutions for Sustainability: How the international trade, energy and climate change regimes can help (Springer, 2019), EU Trade Law (Edward Elgar, 2019), Energy Security, Trade and the EU: Regional and International Perspectives (Edward Elgar, 2016), The European Energy Union: The quest for secure, affordable and sustainable energy (Claeys & Casteels Publishing, 2016), International Energy Governance: Selected Legal Issues (Edward Elgar, 2014), Climate Change and International Trade (Edward Elgar, 2013), International Trade and Investment Law: Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Governance (Edward Elgar, 2010) and Theory and Practice of EC External Trade Law and Policy (Cameron May, 2008) and the editor or co-editor of The Future of International Economic Law and the Rule of Law (Eliva Press, 2020), EU Energy Law and Policy: The external dimension (Eliva Press, 2020), International Trade, Investment and the Rule of Law (Eliva Press, 2020), the Commentary on the Energy Charter Treaty (Edward Elgar, 2018), University Initiatives in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (Springer, 2018), and Research Handbook on EU energy law and policy (Edward Elgar, 2017).

He has authored more than 200 scholarly publications on international trade and WTO law, climate change law, EU law, international investment law, international energy law and governance, and the interaction among them in American and European law reviews such as the Yale Journal of International Affairs, Georgetown Journal of International Law, Columbia Journal of European Law, Georgetown Environmental Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, The George Washington International Law Review, Fordham International Law Journal, Chicago Journal of International Law, Legal Issues of Economic Integration, European Foreign Affairs Review and Journal of World Energy Law and Business (Oxford University Press). Rafael’s work has been cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 5th Assessment Report.

In 2016, Rafael provided expert advice to the House of Lords on post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreements. In 2021, he provided written evidence to the International Trade Committee of the House of Commons on the connections between climate change and international trade. Rafael serves as an expert of the group “Measures to Address Climate Change and the Trade System” in the framework of E15, an initiative jointly implemented by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), which brings together “over 200 experts from academia, practitioners, business and former policy makers, in defining the ideas, strategies and scenarios for how the global trade system can meet the challenges and demands of the world economy and sustainable development today and in 2025.”

Rafael has been a Visiting Researcher at Yale Law School, Visiting Scholar at the World Trade Organization’s Trade and Environment Division, Visiting Scholar at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Abu Dhabi), Fellow at the Energy Community Secretariat, Global Research Fellow at New York University School of Law (Hauser Global Law School Program), Visiting Fellow at the World Trade Institute (University of Bern), Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University Law Center (Fellow at its Institute of International Economic Law), Tillar House Resident Fellow at the American Society of International Law, Visiting Researcher at Harvard Law School (European Law Research Center) and Fellow at the Real Colegio Complutense (Harvard University), Emile Noël Doctoral Fellow at New York University School of Law (Jean Monnet Center for International and Regional Economic Law and Justice), Fellow at the Australian National University (National Europe Centre) and Visiting Scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School (Institute for Legal Studies).

Rafael has previously taught at the Academy of WTO Law and Policy of Georgetown University Law Center (Washington, D.C.), the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (Korea), the University of Vienna School of Law Summer School (Austria), the National Law School of India University (Bangalore, India)—where he was POROS Chair in European Union law, and the Universidade Federal Minas Gerais School of Law (Brazil).

Rafael has taught law courses on six continents, including a visiting professor at New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Georgetown University Law Center (US), Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Singapore Management University School of Law (Singapore), Nankai University (China), Northwestern Polytechnical University (Xi’an, China), University of Eastern Finland, University of Leuven (Belgium), Bocconi University (Italy), Gujarat National Law University (India), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco School of Law (Brazil), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), Galatasaray University School of Law (Turkey), Kültür University (Turkey), University of Bahçesehir (Turkey), the Energy Charter Secretariat (Belgium), has trained senior energy professionals in Kazakhstan, and has been invited to train African policy-makers on trade and climate change. Rafael is also a Fellow of the Salzburg Seminar and has been the recipient of the Fulbright, the British Council and La Caixa scholarships. He has also been awarded major research grants funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program on research and innovation and a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Rafael acted as a judge in the 4th annual International Moot Court competition at Gujarat National Law University (India), as a fellow at the Sustainable Energy for All Secretariat, Washington, D.C, as a legal consultant to the World Bank’s energy team, the Energy Charter Secretariat’s trade and transit department and the World Trade Organization's legal affairs division, has served in the United States Court of International Trade (Chambers of Judge Pogue), and has clerked at the European Court of Justice (Chambers of Advocate-General Kokott) as well as the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (Chambers of Judge Lindh). He was an intern at the European Commission General Secretariat (Forward Studies Unit) where he participated in the Young Leaders Summit 2000 (Okinawa, Japan), EU Council of Ministers Legal Service (External Relations Team), European Parliament General Secretariat (Directorate-General for Research), United Nations Secretariat (Economic and Social Council) and the European Commission Delegation to the United Nations.

He has presented papers at conferences in the US, Canada, Europe, the Far East, Africa, Oceania, Latin America, South East Asia, and the Middle East, serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, is on the editorial board of European Energy Journal, Journal of Security Studies and Global Politics, Geopolitics under Globalization, and Asian Social Science Journal. He is a reviewer for several leading international journals as well as the university presses of Oxford and Cambridge. He is also a reviewer for major grants of research councils. Rafael has been invited to speak at OECD and G8 international conferences.

He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of, inter alia, the journals the European Law Journal, Melbourne Journal of International Law, London Law Review, Asian Social Science Journal, Leiden Journal of Int’l Law, Journal of International Dispute Settlement, Climatic Change, International Journal of Communication, Journal of Int'l Commercial Law & Technology, International Journal of Private Law, Global Journal of Economics and Finance and Vienna Journal on International Constitutional Law.

Rafael is a member of the Society of International Economic Law, Society of Legal Scholars and the Asian Society of International Law. Between 2017 and 2020, Rafael served as a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law. Rafael has been quoted in and interviewed by the media in major newspapers, which shows the impact of his work beyond academia. Rafael was selected to present his research on climate change and trade at the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, July 2012, Dublin, Ireland. From 2008-2010, Rafael served as expert on EU law in the American Society of International Law.

Rafael completed his graduate legal education with a PhD and four Master’s degrees: a JSM from Stanford Law School, an LLM from Columbia Law School (where he obtained the Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International and Comparative Law), an MPhil from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a PhD as well as an MA in legal research from the European University Institute (Florence, Italy). He complemented his education further with executive programs at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Yale University, and the University of Oxford.

He completed his BA as well as his first law degree (LLB) at the universities of Granada (Spain), Regensburg (Germany), Bologna (Italy) and Angers (France).

He is a qualified attorney in Madrid and speaks English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Ladino and conversational Portuguese. Rafael swam in the Junior Olympics and ran the Brussels marathon.

Postgraduate Teaching

Rafael has thrice been a Drapers' Award nominee for excellence in teaching. In 2008, Rafael was named the best teacher of the University of Vienna School of Law 2008 Summer School (NICLAS), of which Queen Mary University of London is a participant.

External teaching

Rafael has previously taught at the Academy of WTO Law and Policy of Georgetown University Law Center (Washington, D.C.), the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (Korea), the University of Vienna School of Law Summer School (Austria), the National Law School of India University (Bangalore, India)—where he was POROS Chair in European Union law, and the Universidade Federal Minas Gerais School of Law (Brazil).

Rafael has been a visiting professor at Georgetown University Law Center (US), Nankai University (China), Northwestern Polytechnical University (Xi’an, China), University of Eastern Finland, University of Leuven, Bocconi University, Gujarat National Law University (India), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco School of Law (Brazil), Galatasaray University School of Law (Turkey), Kültür University (Turkey), University of Bahçesehir (Turkey), the Energy Charter Secretariat (Belgium), has trained senior energy professionals in Kazakhstan, and has been invited to train African policy-makers on trade and climate change.

Research

Rafael Leal-Arcas' research interests lie in international economic law and the external relations law of the EU, international trade, climate change, and energy.

Examples of research funding:

Research grants, biddings and awards obtained

  • 2016-2019: Jean Monnet Chair in ‘The EU and International Economic Law’; Activities of my Jean Monnet Chair [DOC 40KB]
  • 2016-2020: WiseGRID project, funded by Horizon 2020, EU Commission, €14 million
  • 2016-2018: Spanish ministry of the economy, €42,350
  • 2014, Energy Charter Secretariat, Brussels, Belgium, €7,500
  • 2011-2013: EU’s COFIT FP7 Marie Curie Fellowship, World Trade Institute, University of Bern, €142,000
  • 2012: Taiwan Fellowship, National University of Taiwan, €30,000
  • June-Aug 2011: Swiss National Science Foundation, CHF10,000
  • May 2011: Academy of Global Governance Executive Training Seminars Series, Climate Governance, European University Institute, Florence
  • 2011: Hauser Global Law Fellowship, New York University School of Law, US$25,000
  • 2008-2009: EU Commission, research on trade in services, €54,600
  • 2006: Harvard Law School, US$2,000
  • 2003: University of Wisconsin, US$5,000
  • 2002-2006: Spanish government, €59,400
  • 2000-2002: La Caixa Foundation Fellowship, 77,000
  • 1997-1999: British Council Fellowship, €30,000.

Honorary awards

  • Young Energy Leader Award, Energy Charter Secretariat, Belgium (2013)
  • Nominee for the 2008, 2010, and 2011 Drapers’ Award for Excellence in Teaching, QMUL
  • Voted best teacher of the University of Vienna School of Law 2008 Summer School
  • 2004 Dean Acheson Clerkship in the European Court of Justice of the EU, Luxembourg
  • Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International and Comparative Law, Columbia Law School, USA (2001)
  • Fellow of the Salzburg Seminar, Fulbright Scholarship; The New Transatlantic Agenda; Discussions with U.S. and EU policy-makers and history-makers on Transatlantic issues (1999).

Publications

Rafael Leal-Arcas' scholarly papers on the SSRN website

Publications since 2001

Books

  • R. Leal-Arcas, Climate Clubs for a Sustainable Future: The role of international trade and investment law, Energy and Environmental Law and Policy Series, Kluwer Law International, 2021; ISBN-13: 978-94-035-3715-3; around 150,000 words (excluding bibliography and index)
  • R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) The Future of International Economic Law and the Rule of Law, Eliva Press, 2020, 212 pages; ISBN: 978-1-952751-75-2
  • R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) EU Energy Law and Policy: The external dimension, Eliva Press, 2020; 125 pages; 54,000 words; ISBN-13: 978-9975-3417-5-2
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., The Great Energy Transition in the European Union, Volume 1, Eliva Press, 2020; 438 pages; ISBN-13: 978-9975-3417-1-4
    • “The book makes a good combination of general reports on the necessary background and national reports with specific emphasis on concrete contexts. The book also methodologically features its good use of statistics, tables and charts based on first-hand materials and information. The doctrinal analysis is satisfyingly complemented by empirical and comparative analysis. All these factors contribute to the comprehensiveness and credibility of the book on this edge-cutting topic.”
      - reviewed by Peng Wang in Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., The Great Energy Transition in the European Union, Volume 2, Eliva Press, 2020; 429 pages; ISBN-13: 978-9975-3417-3-8.
  • R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) International Trade, Investment and the Rule of Law, Eliva Press, 2020, 206 pages; ISBN-10: 9975307191; ISBN-13: 978-9975307192
  • Leal-Arcas, Solutions for Sustainability: How the International Trade, Energy, and Climate Change Regimes Can Help, Springer International Publishing, 2019; 470 pages; ISBN: 978-3-030-23932-9; DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23933-6; around 203,000 words (excluding bibliography and index); sole author
  • Rafael Leal-Arcas, EU Trade Law, Elgar European Law Series, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2019, 352 pages, ISBN: 978 1 78897 740 1
  • R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) Commentary on the energy charter treaty, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 548 pages, ISBN: 978 1 78811 748 7 (as editor and contributor). 2018
    • ‘The volume is edited by Rafael Leal-Arcas who successfully assembled a group of experts with different backgrounds in trade law, energy, investment law and arbitration. Together they created a work of great quality.’  ‘…a clear and comprehensive discussion of the complete content of the [Energy Charter] treaty,’ - reviewed by Ondřej Svoboda & Jan Kunstýř in European Energy and Environmental Law Review, Issue 1, pp. 21-23 (2020)
  • W. Leal and R. Leal-Arcas (eds.), University initiatives climate change mitigation and adaptation, Springer, 2018, 403 pages; ISBN 978-3-319-89590-1
  • R. Leal-Arcas and J. Wouters (eds.) Research handbook on EU energy law and policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2017; around 275,000 words (excluding bibliography and index).
    • ‘the volume is a welcome addition to the current discussion on energy policy as it provides a legal perspective, often omitted from strictly political science texts.’ - reviewed by MATÚŠ MIŠÍK in Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol. 56(6), pp. 1486-1487 (2018)
    • Interviewed for the book.
    • See video of the book reviewed by Phillip Taylor, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
    • ‘this subject-heavy post-Paris Agreement reference book is second to none.’ ‘…a collection of well-researched interdisciplinary essays providing in depth legal, economic and technical explanation, analysis and solutions to energy problems and decisions facing the EU.’ ‘…a comprehensive overview and analysis of EU policy towards both renewable and non-renewable energy resources.’
      • reviewed by Jon Mark Truby in Energy Research & Social Science, Vol. 42 (2018), pp. 11-12
    • ‘This book will function admirably as the starting point for further research in EU energy law, therefore eliciting a deeper understanding of it.’ ‘…one of the more accessible works that have recently become available on this complex and often controversial subject.’
      • reviewed by Elizabeth Robson Taylor and Phillip Taylor in The Barrister
  • Energy Security, Trade and the EU: Regional and International Perspectives, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2016; 468 pages; ISBN: 978 1 78536 673 4; around 180,000 words (excluding bibliography and index) (with C. Grasso and J. Alemany Rios,)
    • Read Professor Leal-Arcas' interview on the book
    • ‘[…] this book provides a very useful, comprehensive and very well-organized toolbox to facilitate both small and bigger steps towards the international energy transition.’ - reviewed by Leigh Hancher, Common Market L. Rev. Vol. 55, Issue 4, pp. 1295-97 (2018)
    • “[…] a fascinat­ing examination of the European Union (EU), weaving together an interdisciplinary and well-researched text about the origins of its energy security framework, as well as its future aspirations.” “The utilization of a legal framework is the most distinctive point to appreciate about this text, since this is an approach not seen elsewhere in the literature on energy security.” - reviewed by Ryan Opsal, The Energy Journal, pp. 285-287 (2018)
  • The European Energy Union: The quest for secure, affordable and sustainable energy (Claeys & Casteels Publishing, 2016); 300 pages; ISBN: 9789491673450; around 60,000 words (excluding bibliography and index); sole author
  • International Energy Governance: Selected Legal Issues, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2014; ISBN-13: 978 1 78471 149 8; ebook ISBN: 978 1 78471 150 4; around 206,000 words (excluding bibliography and index) (with AndrewFilis and Ehab Abu Gosh).
    • "International Energy Governance: Selected Legal Issues covers some of the most interesting and pressing areas of international energy law and policy. Eastern-Mediterranean, WTO and energy, external EU energy policy and the promotion of renewable energy and its various effects on market institutions are just examples of legal issues selected for this book. The authors provide a comprehensive account of these areas under a common theme of energy, trade and environment. This is recommended reading for international lawyers dealing with these topics." - Kim Talus, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
    • Read "Legal Issues in International Energy Governance – an interview with Rafael Leal-Arcas" on the Elgar blog.
    • Read opinion piece.
    • ‘Almost 600 pages with four parts and nine chapters represent quite an important scholars’ input for the debate on international energy governance.' - reviewed by Andrei Belyi in J World Energy Law and Business, Vol. 8(1), 2015
    • ‘…a timely and most relevant work concerning an area of law which is undertheorised…’; ‘This book is an essential reference to academics, students, and practitioners, and is highly recommended for those who seek an in depth knowledge of the legal, social, economic and political environment of energy governance.’– reviewed by Youseph Farah in J Renewable Energy Law and Policy Rev, Vol. 6(1), 2015
  • Climate Change and International Trade, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2013; 544 pages; ISBN-13: 978 1 78195 608 3; ebook ISBN: 978 1 78195 609 0; sole author; around 210,000 words (excluding bibliography and index)
    • Watch a video of Professor Leal-Arcas on this topic: Dublin conference, July 2012 (video 2:29 min, MOV) 
    • ‘An increasing number of free trade agreements being negotiated […] has presented a window of opportunity to utilize trade agreements for climate mitigation purposes. In this regard the book makes a valuable contribution to contemporary policy-making.’ – reviewed by Max Jansson in Carbon and Climate Law Review
    • ‘this book offers a very comprehensive, original, up-to-date and well-documented account of the main issues relating to climate change and international trade.’ – reviewed by Daniel Perez Rodriguez in Review of European Community & International Environmental Law
    • Interviewed by the Truman Factor
    •  ‘A seminal work of impressive scholarship, … an invaluable and highly recommended addition…’ – reviewed by The Midwest Book Review, June 2013
    • Cited by the IPCC 5th Assessment Report, 'Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change', Chapter 13, pp 12, 36, 43 and 109
    • ‘Leal-Arcas provides an in-depth analysis of each stage in the evolution of international climate agreements while drawing much needed attention to the [..] disagreements regarding transfers of clean and efficient technologies to developing countries.’ – reviewed by Jonathan Cogliano in Eastern Economic Journal, 2015
  • International Trade and Investment Law; Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Governance, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2010, 352 pages; ISBN-13: 978 1 84980 319 9, paperback published 2011
    • ‘well researched and well written. [...] excellent and should be made mandatory reading materials for the relevant courses of EU external trade and investment law and policy.’
      – reviewed by Dr Nikolaos Lavranos in Legal Issues of Economic Integration, Vol. 38, Issue 3, pp. 287-290, 2011
    • ‘...packed with detail and helpful explanations of basic economic concepts... the book’s footnotes explaining crucial economic and international law concepts, especially concerning WTO and the New International Economic Order.’– reviewed by Amanda Ploch in NYU J. of Int’l L and Politics, vol. 43(3), 825-829
    • Reviewed by Theodore R. Posner in Transnational Dispute Management, Vol. 8, Issue 3, pp. 1-28, September 2011
    • ‘This book comes highly recommended. . . resembling a mini-handbook, [it] provides excellent snapshots on the history of international trade and investment law and provides detailed discussions on the various levels of governance available. . . a well-researched, informative and a good compilation. . . the book is practical and would be considered a valuable resource for academics and students of international trade and investment law.’
      – reviewed by Shu Ying Wee in International Trade and Business Law Review, Vol. XIV, pp. 555-558, 2011
    • ‘. . . a significant contribution to the literature. . . Mr Leal-Arcas’s analysis should be of interest to policy-makers and negotiators.’
      – reviewed by Prof. David Gantz in International Trade Law and Regulation, Vol. 17, Issue 2, pp. 77-78, 2011
    • Included in the American Journal of International Law, Vol. 104, No. 3, p. 564, 2010 under ‘Books Received’
    • Included in the 2010 Annual Book Survey of the Journal of International Economic Law, Vol. 14, No. 1, p. 211, 2011 [Oxford University Press], which is "a survey of themes, authors and publishers important in the area [of international economic law]".
    • ‘In International Trade and Investment Law Dr Rafael Leal-Arcas succinctly describes and evaluates the linkages and tensions among three governance levels in the global political economy, the multilateral, the regional and the bilateral. He synthesises trade and investment law in a single text, exploring the continuities and discontinuities between the two. He discusses relevant historical, theoretical and policy issues, and the text moves easily between economic and legal analysis. Dr Leal-Arcas has provided a highly informative and stimulating text which will serve a wide audience for years to come.’ –Laurence Boulle, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
    • ‘This comprehensive treatment of international trade and investment law, covering various regulatory and legal levels, convinces by outlining approaches to overcome the existing fragmentation of the legal framework. Advocating for a move toward extended multilateralism and improved dispute settlements mechanism also allows to combat the past cyclicality of the rule- and decision-making processes.’ –Rolf H. Weber, University of Zürich, Switzerland
  • Theory and Practice of EC External Trade Law and Policy, London: Cameron May, April 2008, 606 pages, ISBN-13: 978 1 905017 65 2; ISBN-10: 1905017650
    • Included in the Common Market Law Review, Vol. 47, Issue 3, p. 970, 2010 under the ‘Book notices’ section
    • ‘one can only praise Leal-Arcas for his very well-researched and clearly written analysis of this complex but so fascinating topic. [...] In short, this book provides a very useful basis for guiding the reader through the murky waters of the EU’s external trade policy and practice.’
      – reviewed by Dr Nikolaos Lavranos in Legal Issues of Economic Integration, Vol. 38, Issue 3, pp. 287-290, 2011
    • Included in the American Journal of International Law, Vol. 102, No. 3, p. 711, under ‘Books Received’, 2008
    • Included in the 2008 Annual Book Survey of the Journal of International Economic Law, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 227-236, 2009 [Oxford University Press], which is "a survey of themes, authors and publishers important in the area [of international economic law]".

Research reports

Articles in international peer-reviewed journals

2022

2021

  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “International Trade, Energy Transition and Climate Change Obligations: The perspective of small Pacific islands and the Caribbean Community,” Trade, Law and Development, Vol. 13.2, 2021
  • R. Leal-Arcas and A. Filis, “International Cooperation on Climate Change Mitigation: The role of climate clubs,” European Energy and Environmental Law Review, Vol. 30, Issue 5, 2021
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al. “The World Trade Organization and Carbon Market Clubs,” Georgetown Journal of International Law, Vol. 52, 2021

2020

  • Rafael Leal-Arcas et al., “Of international trade, climate change, investment and a prosperous future,” Trade, Law and Development, Vol. 12, Issue 2, 2020
    • [also published as Queen Mary University of London, School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 336/2020, pp. 1-37]
  • R. Leal-Arcas, "Smart grids as a way to democratize energy," Yale Journal of International Affairs, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas, “Towards Sustainability in Trade, Energy and Climate,” Modern Environmental Science and Engineering, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 1-30, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas, “Climate Clubs and International Trade across the European and International Landscape,” European Energy and Environmental Law Review, June 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “Electrifying the energy sector: The case of Slovakia and the Czech Republic,” Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law, Vol. 12, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “Energy, Electricity and Smart Grids in Latvia and Portugal — Developments and Concerns,” Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law, Vol. 12, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “The contribution of free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties to a sustainable future,” Zeitschrift für Europarechtliche Studien – ZeuS, Issue 1/2020
  • Leal-Arcas, A. Filis and V. Nalule, “Energy decentralization and decarbonization: The case of Romania and Malta,” Natural Resources Journal, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al., “Towards a carbon-free, decentralized, and democratized system of energy generation,” Connecticut Journal of International Law, Vol. 35, Issue 1, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas, G. Thanos, M. Kanakakis, and G. Fearnley “Regulation and innovative finance for sustainable energy,” Emory International Law Review, Vol. 34

2019

  • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “Aiming at sustainable trade in the context of the Rule of Law: What role for citizens and how international trade can help reduce fossil-fuel consumption,” Trade, Law and Development, Vol. 11, Issue 2, 2019 [by invitation of the Editor-in-Chief]
  • R. Leal-Arcas, "The EU and China in a new world order: Challenges ahead" [PDF 1,116KB], Working Paper for EUCROSS Jean Monnet network, July 2019, pp. 1-20
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al. “The transition to decentralized energy: Challenges, opportunities and progress,” University of Puerto Rico Business Law Journal, Vol. 10
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al. “Business models for decentralized energy,” Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, Vol. 20, 2020
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al. “Regulation, innovation, and technology for the 21st century energy goals,” Journal of Law and Cyber Warfare, Vol. 8, Issue 1, 2019
  • R. Leal-Arcas, “Energy decentralization in the European Union,” Georgetown Environmental Law Review, Vol. 32.1, 2019
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al. “Towards energy democratization,” Colorado Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Review, Vol. 31
  • R. Leal-Arcas, et al. “Decarbonizing the energy sector,” Michigan State Journal of Animal and Natural Resource Law, 2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Mega-regionals and sustainable development: The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, Vol. 4, 2015, pp. 248-264
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Towards a new climate change agreement post-2015”, Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper 210/2015, pp. 1-12, 2015
    • 'How governing international trade in energy can enhance EU energy security', Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, Vol. 6(3), pp. 200-217, 2015
    • R. Leal-Arcas, Valentina Caruso and Raphaela Leupuscek, “Renewables, preferential trade agreements and EU energy security,” Laws, Vol. 4, Issue 3, pp. 472-514, doi: 10.3390/laws4030472, Special Issue “Climate Change and International Economic Law: Chiasms and Complementarities,” 2015 [also published as Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper 208/2015, pp. 1-49]
    • R. Leal-Arcas and J. Alemany Rios, “The creation of a European Energy Union,” European Energy Journal, Vol. 5, Issue 3, 2015
    • “The European Union and its energy security challenges,” Journal of World Energy Law and Business, Vol. 8, 2015, Oxford University Press (with J. Alemany Rios, and C. Grasso)
    • “The European Union and its energy security challenges: Engagement through and with networks,” Contemporary Politics, pp. 1-21, 2015, DOI: 10.1080/13569775.2015.1061242 (with J. Alemany Rios, and C. Grasso)
    • "Energy Transit: Intergovernmental Agreements on Oil and Gas Transit Pipelines," Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, Vol. 6(2), pp. 122-162, 2015 (with M. Peykova, T. Choudhury, and M. Makhoul)
    • “Inter-State cooperation in energy transit,” UNU-CRIS Working Paper W-2015/2, 2015, pp. 1-23 (with A Filis)
    • “Renewable energy disputes in the World Trade Organization,” Oil, Gas and Energy Law Journal, Vol. 13, Issue 3, pp. 1-51, 2015 (with A Filis)
    • “Multilateral, regional and bilateral energy trade governance” Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review, 1/2015 (with Costantino Grasso and Juan Alemany Rios)

    2014

    2013

    2012

    2011

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    2001

    Book chapters/contributions

    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Challenges and Opportunities in the EU-China Trade Relations,” in Young-Chan Kim (ed.) China and the Belt and Road Initiative: Trade Relationships, Business Opportunities and Political Impacts, ‘Understanding China' series, Springer Nature, 2022, pp. 35-54; ISBN: 978-3-030-86121-6
    • R. Leal-Arcas and B. Burstein, “Energy policy in Slovakia,” in G. Tiess, P. Cameron, and T. Majumder (eds.) Encyclopedia of Mineral and Energy Policy, Springer 2021
    • R. Leal-Arcas et al., “Climate Change Mitigation Law and Policy of the BRICS,” in Leonie Reins and Jonathan Verschuuren (eds.), Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law, 2nd edition, Edward Elgar Publishing 2021
      • [also published as Queen Mary University of London, School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 342/2020, pp. 1-60]
    • R. Leal-Arcas and Saana Mikaela Saveljeff, “Environment-led conditionality in the EU and US GSP,” in P. Delimatsis and L. Reins (eds.) Encyclopedia on Trade and Environmental Law, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021
      • [also published as Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 335/2020, pp. 1-11]
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Compliance to promote sustainability,” in T. Trennepohl and N. Trennepohl (eds.), COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, Thomson Reuters, 2020
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Introduction,” in R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) The Future of International Economic Law and the Rule of Law, Eliva Press, 2020, pp. 3-8
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Introduction,” in R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) EU Energy Law and Policy: The external dimension, Eliva Press, 2020; ISBN-13: 978-9975-3417-5-2
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Exploring energy decentralization: The promotion of electric vehicles and storage,” in A. Metaxas (ed.), Financing the Energy Transition - Status and Future Challenges, European Energy Publications, Athens: Eurasia Academic Publishing, pp. 25-50, 2020
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Essential elements of the rule of law concept in the EU and the WTO,” in R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) International Trade, Investment and the Rule of Law, pp. 7-16, Eliva Press, 2020
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Introduction,” in R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) International Trade, Investment and the Rule of Law, pp. 1-4, Eliva Press, 2020
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Power to the People: From Top-down to Bottom-Up Approaches,” in Esty, D. and S. Biniaz (eds.) Cool Heads in a Warming World: How Trade Policy Can Help Fight Climate Change, pp. 257-280, Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, 2020
    • R. Leal-Arcas and V. Nalule, “Multilateral and bilateral energy investment treaties,” in J. Chaisse, L. Choukroune, and S. Jusoh (eds) Handbook of International Investment Law and Policy, pp. 1-13, Singapore: Springer 2019
    • R. Leal-Arcas, “Electric vehicles, sustainability, and decarbonization,” in Fortes Martin, A. (ed.) MOVILIDAD URBANA SOSTENIBLE Y ACCIÓN ADMINISTRATIVA: Perspectiva social, estrategias jurídicas y políticas públicas de movilidad en el medio urbano, Aranzadi, 2019; ISBN: 978-84-1309-837-1
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Trade redemption: How trade agreements can help decarbonize the economy,” in De Luca, A. and Lubello, V. (eds) The European Union Renewable Energy Transition, Wolters Kluwer, 2019, pp. 77-125 (by invitation)
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “A paradigm shift in the governance of sustainable development: Citizens’ empowerment,” in Hinojosa Martinez, L. and P.J. Martin Rodriguez (eds) International markets regulation and the erosion of the European political and social model, Thomson Reuters, 2019, ISBN: 978-84-9197-600-4
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Citizens at the center of the energy transition: A new governance model,” in T. Trennepohl and A.M. Nusdeo (eds), Environmental Law and Economics, Thomson Reuters, 2019, pp. 231-244 (translated and published in Portuguese)
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Unconventional sources of fossil fuel in the European Union and China: Perspectives on trade, climate change and energy security,” in Hefele, P., Palocz-Andresen, M., Rech, M. and Kohler, J.-H. (eds.) Climate and Energy Protection in the EU and China, Cham: Switzerland, Springer Verlag, 2018, pp. 129-142
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Introduction,” in R. Leal-Arcas (ed.) COMMENTARY ON THE ENERGY CHARTER TREATY, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2018
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “The role of trade agreements in mitigating climate change and enhancing sustainable energy,” in The Organizing Committee of the ISDRS 2018 Conference (eds.) Actions for a Sustainable World: From theory to practice,” pp. 243-254, (2018)
      • Leal-Arcas, “The role of trade agreements in mitigating climate change and enhancing sustainable energy,” in The Organizing Committee of the ISDRS 2018 Conference (eds.) Actions for a Sustainable World: From theory to practice,” pp. 243-254, (2018)
      • Leal-Arcas, Leniewska, and F. Proedrou, “Prosumers as new energy actors [PDF 188KB],” in M. Mpholo, D. Steuerwald, and T. Kukeera (eds.), Africa-EU Renewable Energy Research and Innovation Symposium 2018 (RERIS 2018), Springer Proceedings in Energy, Springer, chapter 12, 2018
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Trade redemption: How trade agreements can help decarbonize the economy,” in De Luca, A. and Lubello, V. (eds.) Renewable Energy and the European Energy Market: European and International Legal Perspectives, Wolters Kluwer, 2018 (by invitation); [also published as Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 271/2018, pp. 1-32]
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Natural gas, US shale dynamics and energy security: A view from the European Union,” in Raszewski, S. (ed.) The International Political Economy of Oil and Gas: Governing the Resources in Changing Contexts, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, pp. 73-86  (by invitation)
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Small is beautiful: Why a club approach is the way to go in climate change mitigation,” in Leal, W. and Surroop, D. (eds.) The Nexus: Energy, environment and climate change, Springer, 2018, pp. 305-317; ISBN: 978-3-319-63611-5
      • R. Leal-Arcas and E. Alvarez Armas, “The climate-energy-trade nexus in EU external relations,” in Minas, S. and Ntousas, V. (eds.) EU Climate Diplomacy: Politics, Technology and Networks, Routledge, 2018
      • R. Leal-Arcas and J. Wouters, “Introduction,” in Leal-Arcas, R. and Wouters, J. (eds.) Research Handbook on EU Energy Law and Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2017, pp. 1-11
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Empowering citizens for common concerns,” Proceedings of the 6th Annual International Conference on Law, Regulations and Public Policy, 2017, pp. 133-142
      • R. Leal-Arcas and S. Minas, “Renewable energy governance,” in Morgera, E. and Kulovesi, K. (eds.) Research Handbook on International Law and Natural Resources, Edward Elgar, 2016
      • R. Leal-Arcas and C. Grasso “The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, energy and divestment,” in Van de Graaf, T. et al., Handbook of the International Political Economy of Energy, Palgrave, 2016
      • R. Leal-Arcas, “Designing international trade in energy governance for EU energy security,” in Heffron, R. and Little, G. (eds.) Delivering Energy Law and Policy in the EU and the US: A Reader, Edinburgh University Press, 2016
      • “Certain legal aspects of the multilateral trade system and the promotion of renewable energy,” in Lim, C.L. and Mercurio, B. (eds.) International Economic Law after the Global Crisis: A Tale of Fragmented Disciplines, Cambridge University Press, pp. 482-518, 2015 (with Andrew Filis) [also published as Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper 166/2014, 1-37]
      • “The Energy Community, the Energy Charter Treaty and the Promotion of EU energy security,” in Busch, D. and Talus, K. (eds.) The Energy Community : A New Energy Governance System, Intersentia, 2015 (with Andrew Filis)
      • “Strengthening Sustainable Development through Regional Trade Agreements,” in Wouters, J., Marx, A. et al. (eds.) Ensuring Good Global Governance through Trade: An Assessment of New EU Trade Policies and Approaches, Edward Elgar, 2015 (with Catherine Wilmarth)
      • "Certain Normative Aspects of the Institutional Architecture of Global Energy Governance," in Boulle, L., Laryea, E. and Sucker, F. (eds.) International Economic Law and African Development, Siber Ink, 2014, pp. 27-60 (with Andrew Filis)
      • "Strengthening Sustainable Development through Preferential Trade Agreements," in Wouters, J and Marx, A (eds) Ensuring Good Global Governance through Trade, Edward Elgar, 2014 (with Catherine Wilmarth)
        [also published as Queen Mary School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No 174/2014]
      • "Using Preferential Trade Agreements to Promote Climate Change Mitigation," in Baetens, F. and Caiado, J. (eds.) Frontiers of International Economic Law: Legal Tools to Confront Interdisciplinary Challenges, Brill, pp. 87-99, 2014
      • “Certain legal aspects of the multilateral trade system and the promotion of renewable energy,” in Lim, C.L. and Mercurio, B. (eds.) International Economic Law after the Global Crisis: A Tale of Fragmented Disciplines, Cambridge University Press, pp. 482-518, 2015 (with Andrew Filis)
      • "China’s Regionalism: Working Towards a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership?" in Frankel, S. and Lewis, M. (eds.) Trade Agreements at the Crossroads, Routledge, pp. 99-113, 2014
      • "European Union-China Trade Relations: Difficulties, Possible Solutions, and the Way Forward," in van der Harst, J. & Swieringa, P. (eds.) China and the European Union: Concord or Conflict? Shaker Publishing, pp. 129-145, 2012
      • "The Role of the EU, the US, and China in Addressing Climate Change," in Larsen, F. (ed.) The EU and the Political Economy of Transatlantic Relations, Brussels: PIE Peter Lang, 2012
      • "China’s Attitude to Multilateralism in International Economic Law and Governance," in Liu, D. (ed.) English School Theory and International History Studies, Peking University Press, 2011
      • "China’s Economic Rise and Regional Trade," in Ho, L. & Seade, J. (eds.), APEC and the Rise of China, World Scientific, 2011, pp. 93-119
      • "The GATS and Temporary Migration Policy," in Lewis, M. & Frankel, S. (eds.) International Economic Law and National Autonomy, Cambridge University Press, 2010 pp. 193-215
      • "The European Union and the BRIC Countries: Unilateralism, Bilateralism, and Multilateralism," in Laursen, F. (ed.) The EU in the Global Political Economy, Brussels: PIE Peter Lang, 2009, pp. 91-118
      • "EU Relations with China and Russia: How to Approach new Superpowers in Trade Matters," in Kierkegaard, S. (ed.) The Dynamics of Trade Law and Economics, International Association of IT Lawyers, 2008, pp. 184-213
      • "Is Lisbon the Answer or the Anathema to EC Trade Law and Policy?" in Kierkegaard, S. (ed.) The Dynamics of Trade Law and Economics, International Association of IT Lawyers, 2008, pp. 138-158
      • "The European Union vis-à-vis Brazil and India: Future Avenues in Selected Trade Policy Areas," in Kierkegaard, S. (ed.) Business and Law: Theory and Practice, International Association of IT Lawyers, 2008, pp. 331-350, ISBN-13: 978-87-991385-4-8
      • "The GATS in the Doha Round: A European Perspective," in Andenas, M. & Alexander, K. (eds.) The World Trade Organization and Trade in Services, Brill/Nijhoff, 2008, pp. 9-104
      • "A Look at Services Trade: Implications of the Doha Talks Suspension and Resumption," in Chaisse, J. & Balmelli, T. (eds.) Essays on the Future of the World Trade Organization, Volume I, Editions Interuniversitaires Suisses, 2008, pp. 99-134
      • "The EU Constitutional Treaty and International Trade," in Laursen, F. (ed.) The Rise and Fall of the EU’s Constitutional Treaty, Brill/Nijhoff, Leiden (2008), pp. 25-50
      • "Bridging the Gap in the Doha Talks: A Look at Services Trade," in Kierkegaard, S. (ed.) International Law and Trade: Bridging the East-West Divide, International Association of IT Lawyers, 2007, pp. 23-32
      • WTO Analytical Index: Guide to WTO Law and Practice, Volume Two, 2nd Edition, 2007, Co-published by the World Trade Organization and Bernan Press, Geneva (contributor to the application and interpretation of the following Articles in the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures: Articles 1, 2, 5, 10, 11.4, 14, 24, 25, 27, 32, and Annex VII),
      • "The EU Decision-Making Process in EC Trade Policy: The Three Internal Tensions," in Astengo, F. & Neuwahl, N. (eds.) A Constitution for Europe? Governance and Policy-Making in the European Union, Vol. II, Collection "Etudes Europeennes," Chaire Jean Monnet, Université de Montreal, 2004, pp.132-156

      Book reviews

      Outreach and appearance

      Works in progress

      • Climate Change, International Trade, and Energy Law: Issues for the WTO and the EU

      Supervision

      Professor Rafael Leal-Arcas welcomes proposals for PhD supervision in the broad fields of international economic law (including 'trade and' issues such as trade and energy, trade and climate change) and EU external economic relations.

      Rafael is currently supervising or has supervised students on various topics (energy, investment, EU law, international trade, climate change, and World Trade Organization (WTO) law).

      PhD examiner

      August 2021 School of Law, Wits University, South Africa
      External examiner for Ph.D. defense of doctoral candidate Vieviene Antifon on ‘The harmonization of international energy trade and environmental protection within the framework of the Paris agreement on climate change

      January 2020 University of Groningen, Faculty of Law, The Netherlands
      External examiner for Ph.D. defense of doctoral candidate Cees Verburg on 'The Modernization of the Energy Charter Treaty'

      November 2019 Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University, UAE
      External examiner for Ph.D. defense of doctoral candidate Layla Saleh on ‘Externality Costs and Sustainability Analysis of Power and Desalination Production from a Water-Energy Nexus Perspective’

      January 2018 Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University, UAE
      External examiner for Ph.D. qualifying defense of doctoral candidate Layla Saleh on the water-energy nexus: ‘Building an Optimization Model for Water-Energy Nexus for the United Arab Emirates: Economic & Environmental Perspectives’

      July 2016 University of Dundee, United Kingdom
      External examiner for Ph.D. defense of doctoral candidate Erebi Doreen Ndni on trade in energy: ‘International trade in oil and the World Trade Organization: Towards the resolution of the producer-consumer dilemma’

      October 2014 University of Essex School of Law, United Kingdom
      External examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Abdullah Nasser Al Mandhari on FDI: ‘Applicable law and stabilisation clauses in State contracts with foreign investors: With special reference to the Sultanate of Oman’

      June 2013 University of Essex School of Law, United Kingdom
      External examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Ms Fatima Alhewail on FDI: ‘Critical Analysis of the Kuwaiti Regulatory Framework for Foreign Direct Investment in the Non-Oil Sector’

      June 2012 University of Leicester School of Law, Leicester, United Kingdom
      External examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Mr Zhenyun Chen on risks, challenges and prospects for China’s banking industry after entry into the WTO:
      ‘The corporate governance reform of State-owned commercial banks in China’

      June 2011 University of Essex School of Law, United Kingdom
      External examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Ms Shengxiang Wei on WTO law:
      ‘The exercise of discretion in anti-dumping regimes, with reference to the substantive rules of the WTO, the WU, and China’

      May 2011 University of Oxford, Faculty of Law, Oxford, United Kingdom
      External examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Mr Ming Du on WTO law: ‘Product standards in international trade: Assessing the scope of domestic regulatory autonomy in the GATT/WTO system’

      February 2010 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
      External Examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Mrs Katharina Serrano on EU external relations law: ‘EU-South Pacific: Trade-development nexus in Economic Partnership Agreements’

      December 2009 Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London, United Kingdom
      Internal Examiner for PhD defence of doctoral candidate Mr Elrehim M Al-Kashif on WTO: ‘Non-violation complaints in the GATT 47/WTO jurisprudence: Elements, scope and contribution to the development of international law’

      Public Engagement

      Professor Leal-Arcas' presentations [PDF 396KB]

      He is the author of more than 200 scholarly publications in international peer-reviewed journals. His work has been cited over 1,587 times, with i10-index 52, according to Google Scholar, and downloaded more than 49,767 times on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), placing me among the most downloaded legal scholars on SSRN world top law authors out of 3,000. This is an indication that his work attracts a lot of interest.

      Since my PhD completion, I have published a total of 17 books, among which I have:

      • authored seven books (one was cited by the IPCC 5th Assessment Report; another is the first book ever on the European Energy Union),
      • co-authored four books, and
      • edited or co-edited (and contributed to) six books (one of which is the first-ever Research Handbook on EU energy law and policy; another one is the first-ever Commentary on the Energy Charter Treaty).

      His work is ground-breaking because he conducts analysis at the crossroads of various issue-areas (such as EU external relations, international trade, investment, climate change, and energy) from an interdisciplinary perspective. He serves as an evaluator for the 2020 UK research excellence framework.

      Since 2010, he has been awarded several major multi-year grants, most recently a €14-million research grant as part of a consortium on smart grids funded by the EU Commission’s Horizon 2020, the first ever Jean Monnet Chair in international economic law in the UK, awarded by the EU Commission (only five Chairs were awarded in the entire UK in 2016), a two-year FP7 Marie Curie COFUND Fellowship, and a small grant by the Swiss National Science Foundation. He is a reviewer for major research funding agencies/grants, several leading international journals as well as the university presses of Oxford and Cambridge.

      In 2016, he provided expert advice to the House of Lords on post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreements. He serves as a subject expert to the World Economic Forum in conjunction with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, as part of the experts team on ‘Measures to address climate change and the trade system.’ Between 2017 and 2020, he served as a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law. Since 2020, he is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Public Law and Policy. Between 2014 and 2017, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review. He has been quoted in and interviewed by the media in major newspapers and TV news channels such as CNN, which shows the impact of my work beyond academia. He was selected to present my research on climate change and trade at the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, July 2012, Dublin, Ireland. From 2008-2010, He served as expert on EU law in the American Society of Int’l Law. He represented the EU Commission at the Young Leaders G8 Summit 2000 in Okinawa, Japan.

      Public speaking engagements

      • “Empowering citizens for common concerns,” Speaker, 6th Annual international conference on Law, Regulation and Public Policy, 5-6 June 2017, Singapore
      • “Enhancing EU energy security: The role of the Caspian region and Central Asia,” Speaker, International Energy Charter Ashgabat Forum, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 30-31 May 2017
      • “The Brexit referendum: How it happened and its implications,” School of the Judiciary, Recife, Brazil, 26 May 2017
      • “Energy security and decarbonisation,” Federal University of Recife School of Law, Recife, Brazil, 24 May 2017
      • “The quest for energy governance via regional energy integration: The European Energy Union,” Speaker, Roundtable on “The Future of International Energy Governance,” Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 28-29 April 2017
      • ‘Disconnected Paradigms in Decarbonizing the Grid: EU and WTO Law between Liberalization and Entrenching the Status Quo,’ commenter in the same conference
      • “The European Energy Union,” Keynote speaker, 5th Annual Energy Transitions conference, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland, 9-10 March 2017
      • “International Energy Law and Energy Disputes,” Panel Chair in the same conference
      • “The European Energy Union: Implications for EU-Russia energy relations,” Speaker, International Forum on WTO law, Kaliningrad, Russia, 15-16 April 2016
      • “Using trade policy tools to enhance energy security: The case of Africa and the European Union,” Speaker, 10th annual trade conference, Trade Policy Training Centre in Africa, Arusha, Tanzania, 19-20 November 2015
      • Dr Rafael Leal-Arcas participated at a conference on Energy Challenges in the Asia-Pacific 7 October 2013
      • Dr Rafael Leal-Arcas to speak at the Executive Training Programme for Young Energy Leaders 30 September 2013
      • Since 2013, The World Bank, Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development Secretariat, Washington, D.C., USA, Member of the environmental and natural resources law working group
      • Since 2013, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, Geneva, Switzerland, Expert Consultant for the Global Platform on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainable Energy
      • Selected to present my research at the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, 12 July 2012, Dublin, Ireland
      • 'On Climate Change and Major Developing Countries,' Speaker at the VII Brazilian Conference on Public Litigation, Contracts, and Public Procurement, Bahia Othon Palace Hotel, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, 17-19 August 2011
      • Member of the
      • Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Law Institute

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