Projects and Publications
This is where you will find information on some of our projects, as well as being able to download our publications.
Demystifying Legal Reform for Digitalised Trade: Why a holistic approach beats piecemeal reform.
Trade digitalisation is often talked about as a technology problem. It isn't. It's a legal one. Paper still moves $32 trillion of world trade because the law hasn't caught up. Reform need not be complex. Drawing on existing laws, including the UNCITRAL family, and four worked examples, this paper offers a holistic, diagnostic framework tailored to legal tradition.
The paper is the inaugural report from iC4DTI. It is authored by Theodora Christou and published by iC4DTI in partnership with CASTL.
A Blueprint for Digital Trade (EBRD)
This Paper was commissioned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The objective was for the CASTL to provide a Blueprint for achieving Digital Trade, using alignment of legal frameworks with the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable records (MLETR) and other legal building blocks.
The paper provides an analysis of laws and related institutions in those countries which have aligned with MLETR. We detail the trade process, identifying the key actors and documents along the way and showing how easily electronic records can replace the paper based documents. An implementation matrix for reform sets out the key principles and enabling concepts for alignment with MLETR and the other legal building blocks. The idea is that the paper will be a catalyst for reform and is being used by the EBRD in its mandate countries.
“Digitalising the trade ecosystem will make trade more efficient, greener and inclusive.”
The paper can be downloaded here: Blueprint Paper on Digital trade and the UNCITRAL model Law on Electronic Transferable Records.
Making Thai-UK trade cheaper, faster and simpler
For our project in Thailand, we run three workshops (creating a dialogue forum and knowledge exchange), with a launch of our report in Bangkok at the British Embassy. The Report, drafted by Theodora, provides an action plan for fulfillment of the digital agenda.
The iC4DTI was formerly the ICC United Kingdom Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation Taskforce.
“An enabling legal environment is crucial for the digital agenda.”
The Report can be downloaded here: Making Thai-UK trade cheaper, faster and simpler.