Legal, Operations & Management

Rethinking International Law in the Age of Technology and Climate Crisis: A Multidimensional Approach to Governance and Accountability

Presented at the New Voices in International Law conference on May 8th at the Trinity College Long Room Hub. In an era marked by accelerating technological advancement and an escalating climate emergency, this paper critically reconsiders the foundations and functions of international law. It argues that the existing legal architecture rooted in state-centric sovereignty and sectoral regimes struggles to effectively govern the transboundary, intergenerational, and technologically mediated challenges of our time. By adopting a multidimensional approach, this paper explores how international law can evolve to better integrate climate imperatives, digital transformations, and global accountability. Drawing on legal pluralism, systems thinking, and governance theory, it proposes pathways for reconfiguring legal norms, institutions, and responsibilities across state and non-state actors. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a shift towards a more inclusive, adaptive, and ecologically literate international legal order that reflects the interconnected realities of the 21st century.

The Impact of Brexit on Corporate Regulation in Ireland An Analysis of Post-Brexit Regulatory Adjustments and Strategic Responses

Presented to Matheson LLP, Dublin HQ on April 24th. This paper explores the significant transformations within Ireland's corporate regulatory landscape in response to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. As a close economic partner of the UK and a committed EU member, Ireland has found itself at a regulatory crossroads—balancing alignment with evolving EU directives while mitigating disruption from the UK’s regulatory divergence. The study evaluates how Ireland has addressed cross-border legal complexities, financial services adjustments, and the challenge of regulatory arbitrage. It highlights the strategic responses undertaken by Irish regulators, businesses, and legal professionals to preserve investor confidence, maintain market integrity, and sustain Ireland's attractiveness as a destination for international corporate activity. The paper concludes that, despite the immediate frictions posed by Brexit, Ireland is uniquely positioned to act as a regulatory bridge between the EU and UK, offering both resilience and opportunity for innovation in the post-Brexit corporate legal order.

Enhancing Corporate Accountability Away from Greenwashing. A Legal Perspective on the Imperative of ESG Practices

This legal article underscores the criticality for companies to embrace Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) practices, emphasising the importance of transparency, authenticity, and accountability in advancing sustainability goals and mitigating the risks of ESG greenwashing. The narrative navigates through international frameworks and tools explicitly recommending adherence to the U.N. Principles for Responsible Investment (UK PRI) and the U.K. Stewardship Code to elevate reporting standards in line with global and national benchmarks. The article delves into the legal and compliance landscape, shedding light on obligatory requirements for companies operating in the U.K. and E.U. Through this legal lens, the article advocates for a holistic and legally sound approach towards ESG integration in corporate practices.

Exploring Dynamic Shifts in Binance and Centralised Exchanges (CEX)

Regulatory challenges, security apprehensions, and the ascent of decentralised alternatives have reshaped how traders and investors engage with digital assets. While centralised exchanges remain relevant in the crypto ecosystem, the future may be increasingly decentralised. What could have been an opportunity soon became a power vacuum rather than added services and customer operations towards Binance. Another round of scrutiny came from various regulators towards CEX(s). Instead of providing more services and Users, Binance, the largest CEX in the world, must now restrict its offering and re-adapt its suite to ensure compliance.

Regulatory Press Brief. Navigating the Impact of the Recent MiCA Release on European Union Crypto-Asset Regulation: Synergies & Disparities in Current EU Laws

The heart of the commentary lies in the intricate interplay between MiCA and a diverse array of EU laws. Each legal instrument examined, including the Payment Services Directive (PSD2), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) Regulations, Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II), the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Environment Social Governance (ESG) principles will interact with the Market in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA).

Step-by-Step Guide to Dealing with Neo/Digital Banks Customer Service Issues

Have you ever found yourself locked out of your online bank account without access to your funds? If so, you are not alone. Many individuals have faced similar situations with fintech banks that rely heavily on social media for customer service rather than traditional channels like emails, live chat, or phone calls. This guide will walk you through the steps to reclaim your funds and account ownership data before closing your account.

Governing Carbon Markets with Distributed Ledger Technology

Edited by Alastair Marke, Blockchain and Climate Institute, Michael Mehling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Fabiano de Andrade Correa, Blockchain and Climate Institute. This book has been developed as a collaborative effort by the Blockchain & Climate Institute's Legal Research Division. This volume offers the first book-length exploration of how carbon markets can be governed using DLT, offering conceptual and theoretical analysis, practical case studies, and a roadmap for implementation of a DLT-based architecture in major existing and emerging carbon markets. It surveys existing expertise on distributed ledger technology, provides progress updates from industry professionals, and shows how this technology could offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution to double-counting and other governance concerns identified as major challenges in the implementation of carbon markets.

Making The Polluter Pay: How Blockchain Can Aid Climate Adjudication

Proving causation is a major impediment to effectively implementing environmental law. In providing greater traceability, blockchain allows courts to better adjudicate on the source of pollution.

The Development of a Quasi-Loss and Damage Compensatory System for Developing Countries through Climate Litigation

The Paris Agreement of COP21 distinctly recognises the issue of climate change loss and damage with Article 8 in the main text and Paragraph 51 in its decision text. This piece which was the most-read article of the Carbon & Climate Law Review in 2020 proposed an alternative standard of proof for climate change loss and damage-related litigations.

Redefining Compliance for Climate Change Procedural Obligations under the Paris Agreement

Introducing blockchain - a preventative technology that includes transparency, accountability and science. Written in 2018 and 2019 in Geneva, this master thesis combined insights from six months at the United Nations Environment in the reporting branch of (SAICM) the Strategy Approach to International Chemical Waste. Dealing with stakeholders while undertaking the LL.M. in International Law at the Graduate Institute of Geneva with a specialisation in international environmental law to combine practice and theory with the thesis.