The 20^th Anniversary of the Manchester Journal of International Economic Law (MJIEL) is a tremendous, and well-earned, professional and personal triumph.

Professionally, it is hard to overstate the global impact of the scholarship in MJIEL. The articles MJIEL has published are at the forefront of the most innovative in international trade, finance, investment, and related legal fields. Courageously, the articles extend to explore new intersections between conventional international economic law topics and (for example) relevant historical, political, social, and cultural phenomena. Not surprisingly, MJIEL articles are trusted sources for scholars and practitioners worldwide, and are widely cited.

But there is more. MJIEL was a global leader among law journals in electronic publishing. That leadership proved brilliant, as well as environmentally-friendly. Two decades ago, MJIEL foresaw that online publications would grow dramatically. And so it did, pioneered in part thanks to MJIEL.

Personally, it is hard to overstate how much Dr. Asif Qureshi matters in the success of MJIEL. I have been privileged to work directly with him in multiple capacities -- Board Member, Book Review Editor, and Author — for all 20 years. This association easily has been among the handful of the most productive and fun (yes, fun) relationships of my career. I am indebted to Asif, as well as to Dr. Xuan Gao, and their team. They have changed many lives for the better, mine included.

Please let me know if you need anything else. May I conclude by saying that you all are terrific, and mean a lot to me. Thank you for all you have done.

With all good wishes, 

-- Raj Bhala

Leo S. Brenneisen Distinguished Professor, The University of Kansas (KU), School of Law

The Manchester Journal of International Economic Law has covered a major gap in the relevant existing array of publications in the field of international economic law, also giving a platform to younger scholars and approaching international economic law in its broader content, including international financial law. For these reasons, I wish it longevity and to carry on and build on past successes.

 -- Emilios Avgouleas

Chair in International Banking Law and Finance, School of Law, University of Edinburgh

As a young legal academic shaping what would become the focus of my career I was immediately drawn to the MJIEL because international economic law was not only the most interesting sub-discipline of international law, I felt it was probably the one that was poised to become the most important – a prediction that turned out to be quite true. The MJIEL, like the JIEL out of Georgetown University which preceded it by a few years, consequently had what is sometimes described as “early-mover” advantage – one of the reasons that it is so respected 20 years later. The decision to encompass investment law (then a new field) as well as the more established trade / WTO law area, was key to the journal’s success and testimony to Asif’s keen awareness of the future trajectory of scholarship.

I was eager to publish in this field and was delighted when Asif quickly responded to my submissions, provided feedback and (usually) accepted my contributions. This was a refreshing contrast to the lengthy and burdensome submission process associated with many of the legacy international law journals. Getting my articles in the MJIEL as a specialist journal was critical to me becoming seen an “expert” in the field. My greatest debt to the MJIEL was when Asif invited me to be one of the journal’s Current Development Editors – a major accolade for a junior academic. My annual summaries of ICSID cases were hard work (I have never enjoyed reading cases) but it was a good exercise for me and helped me build up my profile as an early career researcher as well as my knowledge of investment arbitration. While the MJIEL has had many excellent contributors and editors over the years, its enduring legacy owes a tremendous amount to Asif and his willingness to bring in scholars from around the world at all stages of their careers and to have faith in their abilities. 

I am sure that the MJIEL will keep going strongly as one of the leading journals in our thriving field, publishing high quality articles on trade, investment, monetary issues and development as well as embracing new topics like digital trade and other matters that materialize in the coming decades.

-- David Collins 

FAcSS SFHEA, Professor of International Economic Law, The City Law School, City St George’s, University of London

I was pleased to learn that the Manchester Journal of International Economic Law has completed its first successful two decades. It has served as a superb platform to disseminate original ideas on a wide range of topics within international economic law. It has been recognized as a prestigious refereed international law journal by the intellectual community both here in the UK and abroad. I have published in the Journal and have had the pleasure and honour of serving as a member of its editorial board. I have used many of the impactful articles published in the Journal in my teaching and research of international economic law.

I would like to congratulate and thank its Chief Editor, Professor Asif Qureshi, and other members of the editorial team for the sterling work that they have carried out for the Journal. It was Professor Qureshi’s vision and farsightedness and his ability to draw talented people to work with him that led to the success of the Journal. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my tribute to him for his leadership, untiring commitment and dedication to the Journal over all these years. I wish the Journal every success in the decades to come.

-- Surya P. Subedi

Professor of International Law, School of Law, University of Leeds

Honorary Fellow, Exeter College, University of Oxford

 

[The Journal's twentieth anniversary] is a remarkable milestone reflects the journal's significant contribution to international economic law scholarship over the years. Congratulations to you on building such a respected and impactful publication and thank you also for your ongoing leadership as Editor-in-Chief.

-- Andrew D Mitchell

Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University