School of Law research on Finance, Technology, Commerce and Intellectual Property (FTC&IP)

Ilias graduated from the Law School of Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece in 1995. He qualified as a Greek lawyer in 1998. From 2001-2008 Ilias studied law as an LLM and PhD researcher at the University of Bristol. In 2005 he completed his PhD thesis in European Competition Law and in 2009 he completed an LLM by Research on the legal status of Sustainable Development. In 2010 he obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice at the University of Bradford and in 2019 he completed an MBA degree at the University of Bradford.

Ilias joined the Law School of the University of Bradford as a full-time lecturer in August 2008.

Research

Ilias's expertise includes Banking & Finance Law, Commercial Law, Law & Technology, Competition Law and Law of Sustainable Development. During the past decade my research has focused on financial services and energy with emphasis on financial regulation; fintech; cryptocurrencies; money laundering; artificial intelligence; data protection; bank competition; corporate social responsibility in financial services and energy; unconventional and renewable energy. 

Current PhD students: 

• Xingyu Chen, Foreign Direct Investment in the EU and UK after Brexit (Principal Supervisor)
• Mohammad Imran, Issues in implementing electronic Bill of lading (Principal Supervisor)
• Iftikhar Ahmed, Switching from Paper to Electronic Bills of Lading: Legal Schemes and Reform Options in Pakistan and United Kingdom (Principal Supervisor)
• Moses Dickson, Bilateral Investment Treaties and the Protection of Environmental Rights: A case study for Nigel Delta (Co-supervisor)
• Nikos Koutroulis, Use of Artificial Intelligence by Social Media to Collect and Process Personal Data: Implications for Law (Co-supervisor)

Mark possesses a biotechnology and genetics background, after government employment in this sector (MAFF/DEFRA), he continued his studies into the field of law, studying and later teaching at the University of Sheffield. Mark achieved a PhD award in the area of intellectual property and the public-private divide and has also completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Management and Leadership in Higher Education. Mark has experience in the full range of university provision from the design, to the delivery and end-stage examination at Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral level. He has a wide range of research interests gathered around a common theme of innovation, intellectual property and commercialisation which includes sustainability in building design, nanotechnology and open source technologies. Mark has secured several grants in the areas of learning and teaching, specifically in regard to the engagement with the business. 

Research

Mark has the following research interests: Intellectual property including patents, copyright and the fixation of know-how within innovation processes. Mark specifically looks at the concept of technology enhancement uptake inhibitors and has done so in a range of areas. University knowledge exchange and technology transfer. Open-source systems. The regulation of the internet and cyberspace. Disability law. Mark has experience in a wide variety of funding applications to the various funding bodies including the ERSC, EPRSC, TSB, HEA and has participated in European Framework bids within a regional development agency framework. Mark is currently developing a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in line with the developing guidance provided by the government.

Before joining the University of Bradford School of Law, Prince was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Law, SOAS University of London with a demonstrated history of teaching and learning in higher education both within and outside the UK. His PhD thesis (2017, SOAS University of London) in the field of international arbitration and comparative law interrogates the attitude of the English and Nigerian Courts towards the enforcement of transnational arbitral awards under the New York Convention of 1958.

Research

Prince’s research interests also include the extractive industry, access to justice, social and community care law, international commercial law and international development law. Prince is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with vast experience of working in the law practice sector.

Practised at the independent Bar since qualifying in 1999. Specialist practice areas included Matrimonial Finance and Cohabitation Trusts. Joined the academic team at the University of Bradford School of Law in September 1999. 

Research

Current Projects Undertaking research into the co-ordination of third sector provision of legal services to those most in need. Delivery of research paper at the Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference 2016 with Kathryn Dutton and Robin Lister entitled: The provision of legal services in the post legal aid era: a proposal for multi-agency collaboration between private and charitable suppliers of legal services coordinated by law schools.

This research intends to analyse the present situation of using electronic Bill of Lading (e-BoL), compare and contrast the paper BoL and e-BoL in the legal perspective, discuss possible solutions for a successful substitution of paper BoL with e-BoL and focus on challenges that would be applicable in Pakistan and United Kingdom (UK), being a developing and developed country respectively.

 What made you decide to undertake your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

With good repute internationally the University as an institution is praised worldwide. The staff of University is highly qualified and cooperative with due respect to the supervision of my supervisors.

 How are you finding your experience of undertaking your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

The training, supervision, knowledge, learning and research are the factors which I appreciate in my experience

The study aims a comparative analysis of Minority shareholders' protection in the legal and social context of Pakistan with Western and South Asian jurisdictions. Considering the common law regimes, grasp analysis of legal protection (oppression remedy) available to the small investors in a corporation. To analyse the present remedies (Company Law 2017) in accordance with the nature and purpose of Corporate Governance along with ownership and control paradigms and complexity in Pakistan's corporate culture. 

What made you decide to undertake your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

The institution holds a prestigious reputation in delivering not just education but also knowledge, skills, and confidence, in the experience as a student and learner. It is a platform which hosts new opportunities and provides control of the future. It is reputable internationally and contains well-acknowledged names in the faculty in terms of academia.

How are you finding your experience of undertaking your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

It has been a wonderful experience even though we face a pandemic and closures of campuses, the Institution as well as the faculty have been tremendously helpful and supportive with guidance on every step and phase of my studies. The supervisors are always supportive and have an admirable character to lead research and build its impact.

Thousands of BITs were signed during the 20th century and their numbers continued to grow during the 21st century as global trade continued to expand. The 21st century so far has proved to be controversial time. A series of significant events including the global financial crisis of 2007, the rise of the economic and political power of China, the emergence of nationalism and anti-globalization movements, the exit of Britain fromEU and the intensification of climate change have resulted in significant reforms in international investment policies and legal systems.

Research focuses on the future of legal relationships on investments between the UK, EU and China, there significant international actors in the area of investments and trade.

 What made you decide to undertake your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

IThe University of Bradford is a public comprehensive research university with a long history of nearly 140 years. In 1966, it was officially named the University of Bradford according to the Royal Charter. The City of Bradford is also a metropolitan in West Yorkshire with a relative location closed to Leeds in England. Both lecturers and supervisors working at the university are kind and always nice to everyone. They are academic, dedicated, patient with all students here. That is the reason why I decided to undertake my Ph.D. here. I am so grateful that I can live and study here as well.

 How are you finding your experience of undertaking your PhD at the University of BradfordSchool of Law?

To read the main investment policy of EU more from EU’s official website information, especially about the policy on China; Obviously, to keep analyzing and understanding of articles of both TEU & TFEU as basic treaties of Lisbon Treaty in EU and examine the old agreements as comparative learning.

Continue to trace on the content analysis of EU its external investment strategy and treaties and impact of Brexit.

Keep reading in each stage of Ph.D., download and compile a list of all our relevant documents around at least 200 papers at least as references from SSRN or Westlaw data resources; To lean core legal methodology for the methodology chapter.

Every conclusion mentioned by discussion or created by rethinking made me update or review or modified my progress of research.

Research area

My research is on third parties and their lack of involvement in the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) process despite the adverse impact on their environment. The absence of third-party rights in ISDS has culminated in a debate, reflected in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) discussions, on a framework for third party access to the ISDS system. My research aims to inform this reform process by interrogating the concept of third-party rights in ISDS. States generally rely on the international law system, and even the underpinning contracts are invariably governed by international law, which is the focus of this study. I plan to use Nigeria as a case study to evidence the problem, comparative methodology to explore potential solutions from existing or emerging practices from other countries and documentary analysis which provides more depth than pure doctrinal analysis given the nature of inquiry sought.

What made you decide to undertake your PhD at the University of Bradford School of Law?

I joined the MPhil/PhD Law programme in 2019 following a successful career in Business and Legal Practice. Prior to this doctoral journey, I obtained a Masters in Law with Distinction from the University of Bedfordshire and another Masters from City University London. I enjoyed the dissertation elements of these programmes which motivated me to pursue further studies. My reason for choosing the University of Bradford School of Law is threefold. Firstly, I was attracted to it due to the research quality and international profile of academic staff in the School, in particular my supervisors (Prof. Engobo Emeseh and Dr Ilias Kapsis), who have published extensively in the field of international commercial law. Secondly, the School of Law has a diverse student community, attracting students from all over the world, which has made me feel very welcome as an International Student. Last but not least, I was advised to join the University by academics from other Universities who had either studied or worked at the University of Bradford, School of Law.

How are you finding your experience of undertaking your PhD at the University of Bradford School of Law?

The experience has been great largely due to the support systems and developmental opportunities open to me at the University. I generally feel at home and this has contributed to the gradual progression of my research. These support systems include a well-resourced library which provides 24 hour access to key journals and subject specific books. Above all, the School provides a research seminar-series programme that pretty much covers all relevant methodologies and other key aspects of the thesis and doctoral journey. Overall, joining the University of Bradford School of Law was the best decision, given the level of supervisory support and developmental opportunities open to me at the University.

My thesis is on the electronic bill of lading. This thesis will seek the problems to implement eB/L world wide. This thesis will make a comparison between existing electronic bill of lading models. This thesis will also give recommendations specifically to Pakistan laws to implement eB/L into their legal system.

What made you decide to undertake your PhD at the University of Bradford School of Law?

The University of Bradford is one of the best universities in the UK. This university has produced great scholars. The University of Bradford also provides 2 supervisors which are not common in other universities.

How are you finding your experience of undertaking your PhD at the University of Bradford School of Law?

My experience has been very good so far. University provides different opportunities to enhance learning skills such as seminars and conferences. My supervisor is very good and he gives me proper time and guides me very well.