CCLS Alumnus Shares his Career Journey and Work in Academia within Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Paraguay
Read more on Jorge Bogarín Azuaga work in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution and his academic return to CCLS as a PhD student.
Jorge Bogarín Azuaga (Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2019) shares his professional journey which he began at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) to his distinguished career in Arbitration law: “Since completing my LLM at the Centre for Commercial Law Centre in 2019, I returned to Paraguay and joined the Attorney General’s Office of Paraguay, where I have worked in the Arbitration and International Law Department ever since. My role involves representing the Paraguayan Government in domestic and international arbitration proceedings and advising public institutions on dispute resolution matters, including the negotiation of investment treaties. I also serve as Paraguay’s focal point to UNCITRAL Working Group III, participating in its sessions and contributing to discussions on the development of international legal instruments relating to the reform of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS).
Working on behalf of the Paraguayan Government has given me first-hand experience of the practical challenges States face in complex disputes involving public contracts, investment treaties and public international law. These experiences have shaped both my professional aspirations and my academic interests, ultimately leading me to pursue doctoral research on the reform of investor-state dispute settlements. They have also reinforced my interest in improving the mechanisms available to States, particularly developing countries, when resolving international disputes.
In 2023, I published the National Compendium of Arbitration Case Law, which brings together Paraguayan judicial decisions addressing arbitration-related issues. The book was conceived as a practical resource to make domestic case law more accessible, promote a better understanding of the approach adopted by Paraguayan courts, and support the teaching of arbitration by serving as a practical reference for both law students and legal practitioners.
Since 2024, I have served as Coordinator of the Arbitration Working Group of the Latin American Association of State Attorneys and Government Legal Offices (ALAP), where I collaborate with colleagues from across the region to promote arbitration research and strengthen the legal representation of States in arbitration proceedings. I also served as Editor of the first edition of the ALAP Digital Arbitration Review, further reinforcing my commitment to legal scholarship and professional dialogue within the arbitration community.
In 2024, I was also one of the co-founders of Paraguay Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (PY VYAP), the Paraguayan chapter of the Global Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (VYAP) Network. Through this initiative, we seek to connect law students and young practitioners interested in arbitration, promote the study of arbitration in Paraguay, and create opportunities for collaboration with the international arbitration community.
My PhD research will focus on the proposed Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution, an initiative currently being discussed within the UNCITRAL Working Group III process on the reform of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The project seeks to examine the institutional design, legal framework and potential contribution of the proposed Advisory Centre. In particular, my research will explore its role in improving access to specialised legal expertise for developing States and contribute to the development of a more balanced and effective investment dispute resolution system. I hope that my experience representing a State in arbitration, combined with academic research, will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discussions on ISDS reform.
Returning to Queen Mary feels like coming home. CCLS gave me not only an outstanding legal education but also an international network of colleagues and mentors that continues to inspire me today. I am especially grateful to Professors Maria Fanou, Norah Gallagher and Loukas Mistelis for their guidance, encouragement and confidence throughout this journey.
As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to engaging with fellow researchers and contributing to the academic community at Queen Mary. Returning to CCLS is more than a continuation of my academic journey; it is an opportunity to give back to a community that has played such an important role in my professional development. I hope the years ahead will allow me to grow both as a researcher and as a government lawyer, while continuing to connect academic research with the practical challenges that States face in international dispute resolution.”