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University of Galway School of Law has become the first Irish law school to establish a formal academic and professional partnership with the Office of the Judiciary of Thailand, marking a significant step in the School’s commitment to international collaboration and legal education.

(Back L-R) Dean of University of Galway School of Law, Professor Martin Hogg, Judge Kamonchanok Katinasamit, Judge, Office of the President of the Thai Supreme Court, Executive Dean of University of Galway College of Business, Public Policy and Law, Professor Alma McCarthy, Judge Ratavich Ariyapachpol, Appeal Court Justice, Office of the President of the Thai Supreme Court. (Front L-R) Mr Alex Metcalfe, Interim Vice President International University of Galway, Judge Thirathai Charoenwong, Secretary-General of the Office of the Thai Judiciary.

On Tuesday, 17 June, the School of Law had the honour of welcoming a high-level delegation from the Thai judiciary to the University. The visiting judges included Judge Thirathai Charoenwong, Secretary-General of the Office of the Thai Judiciary; Judge Ratavich Ariyapachpol, Appeal Court Justice, Office of the President of the Thai Supreme Court; and Judge Kamonchanok Katinasamit, Judge, Office of the President of the Thai Supreme Court.

The delegation’s visit began with a warm reception at Friars Café, followed by a series of presentations in the School’s Moot Court Room. Faculty members delivered talks on key areas of shared academic and professional interest, including international human rights law, criminal law, international arbitration, and environmental law. These exchanges underscored the breadth of common ground between Irish and Thai legal education and practice.

The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between University of Galway School of Law and the Office of the Thai Judiciary. The agreement will facilitate Thai judicial students undertaking postgraduate legal studies, including LLM programmes, at Galway. It also opens avenues for future collaboration in the area of professional judicial training.

Speaking after the signing, Professor Martin Hogg, Dean of the School of Law, said:
"It was a pleasure for me and other School of Law faculty to meet with our distinguished guests from the Office of the Thai Judiciary. This MOU not only recognises the quality of legal education offered at Galway, but also represents a meaningful step forward in fostering international judicial exchange and cooperation."

In a further demonstration of the School’s commitment to the partnership, Professor Hogg and Dr Naporn ‘Prompt’ Popattanachai will travel to Bangkok in August 2025 to engage with Thai legal institutions, law schools, and law firms, with a view to deepening these growing academic and professional ties.

University of Galway School of Law extends its sincere thanks to all those who contributed to making the visit a success and looks forward to welcoming Thai students and legal professionals to Galway in the near future.

ENDS