CTIL-GNLU Conference on Law and Economics

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), in collaboration with Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), organised the 9th International Conference on Law and Economics at Gandhinagar. The conference focused on the empirical and applied dimensions of governance, trade policy and inclusive public policy. It brought together judges, policymakers, academicians, practitioners, industry leaders and international scholars to discuss contemporary legal and economic issues.

Conference Focus

The three-day event examined the interface between law and economics in areas such as trade policy, intellectual property, health services and regulatory governance. It included panel discussions, technical sessions and plenary talks. The deliberations brought into light the growing need for evidence-based legal frameworks in a changing global economy.

Key Inaugural Remarks

Former Supreme Court judge Justice A.K. Sikri stressed that judges should consider the economic consequences of legal interpretation, not only the text of the law. Attorney General of India R. Venkatramani underlined the need for new institutional arrangements and empirical models to address emerging policy challenges. The inaugural session reflected the conference’s focus on practical legal reform.

Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge

One panel discussed the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, and its relationship with the WTO TRIPS Agreement. The session noted the importance of preventing fraudulent patent claims based on traditional knowledge. Speakers also brought into light India’s patent framework and the role of biodiversity regulation in protecting traditional knowledge while supporting scientific research.

Trade in Health Services and Mobility

Another panel examined India’s approach to trade in health services. Discussions covered medical tourism, insurance portability, visa facilitation and the impact of digital health and artificial intelligence. A plenary talk on services trade and professional mobility also referred to recent developments in the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with emphasis on temporary movement of natural persons and mutual recognition arrangements.