On 10 July 2026, under the direction of H.E. Prof. Hor Peng, Rector of the National University of Management (NUM), Mr. Din Siden, Director of the NUM International Program of Legal Studies (NUM iLAW), together with the NUM iLAW team, visited Corrs Chambers Westgarth, one of Australia's leading independent law firms, in Sydney, Australia.
The visit is particularly noteworthy in light of Corrs Chambers Westgarth's role in advising the Royal Government of Cambodia in its ongoing conciliation with the Kingdom of Thailand concerning their longstanding maritime boundary dispute in the Gulf of Thailand. The dispute involves competing maritime claims and access to offshore resources estimated to be worth up to USD 300 billion, underscoring its significant legal, economic, and national interests.
Cambodia's Maritime Conciliation with Thailand
The conciliation process is being conducted under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Corrs CEO Mr. Gavin MacLaren leads Cambodia's counsel team, supported by Ben Juratowitch KC, Professor Mathias Forteau, Callista Harris, and Melina Antoniadis. The Corrs team includes Partner Nastassja Suhadolnik, Senior Associates Harriet Codd and Eleanor Clifford, and Associate Cavan Fairall.
The five-member Conciliation Commission is chaired by Ms Katrina Cooper (Australia), with the other members being Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen (Denmark), Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin (France), Judge Albert Hoffmann (South Africa) and Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum (Germany).
The Commission's first meeting took place in Singapore in September 2026. Cambodia's delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, while Thailand's delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The next meeting was scheduled to take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague from 14 to 18 October 2026. Read more: https://pca-cpa.org/en/cases/380/
This ongoing process highlights the importance of international law and peaceful dispute resolution in addressing complex maritime issues between states.
Insights into International Legal Practice
During the visit, the NUM iLAW team received a warm welcome and generous hospitality from Corrs Chambers Westgarth. The team met with members of the firm, including Mr. Gavin MacLaren, CEO, Ms. Melanie Morris, Mr. David Anthony, and Mr. Oliver Spackman. The discussions provided valuable insights into the firm's professional practice and its work on complex legal matters.
The team also participated in an insight session on arbitration and commercial litigation, exploring dispute resolution mechanisms and the role of legal practitioners in advising clients on challenging legal issues. A networking lunch with lawyers from the disputes practice group further facilitated professional exchange and meaningful engagement.
For NUM iLAW, the visit was a valuable opportunity to connect legal education with professional practice and gain a deeper understanding of how international law is applied in complex disputes involving significant national interests.
The visit also reflected NUM iLAW's commitment to experiential learning, international engagement, and professional development. Engaging with experienced legal practitioners allowed the team to broaden its perspectives on legal practice, international dispute resolution, and the responsibilities of counsel in matters involving multiple jurisdictions.
NUM iLAW extends its sincere appreciation to Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Mr. Gavin MacLaren, Ms. Melanie Morris, Mr. David Anthony, Mr. Oliver Spackman, and the entire Corrs team for their warm welcome, generous hospitality, insightful discussions, and thoughtful arrangements.
About Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth is one of Australia's leading independent law firms, providing legal services in major transactions, projects, commercial matters, and complex disputes. With a history spanning more than 175 years, the firm advises major organisations on challenging legal and business issues.
Learn more about Corrs Chambers Westgarth: https://www.corrs.com.au/who-we-are
