These are exciting times for the Asian Journal of Comparative Law (AsJCL). This is the first full issue in print since we recently partnered with Cambridge University Press (CUP) to publish the Journal. We are confident that our partnership with CUP will provide an ideal platform for the AsJCL to build on its reputation as the leading forum for research and discussion of the law and legal systems of Asia.

To mark this important occasion our Executive Editor, Kevin YL Tan, designed a new cover for the Journal. This cover, which features a traditional Asian print, represents the essence of the Journal. It evokes a sense of the rich histories, beautiful cultures, vibrant societies, dynamic economies, and complex institutions that make up the tapestry of jurisdictions which together are Asia. The Journal itself is built on an authentic, rich, and diverse tapestry of legal knowledge as it is an initiative of the Asian Law Institute (ASLI) – an association established by thirteen leading law schools across Asia. Indeed, it is the local knowledge, diverse perspectives, and authentic understanding that our editors, authors, and reviewers possess about the law and legal systems of Asia that provides the Journal with the unique ability to advance legal scholarship on Asia.

Although we are excited about this new chapter of the AsJCL, we remain cognizant that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done. With the shift in the centre of global gravity towards Asia, there is a burgeoning interest in the laws and legal systems of Asia. We feel a sense of responsibility to provide a voice that shapes, influences, and drives this new wave of interest in legal scholarship on Asia, which emanates from within Asia.

We are deeply thankful to all of the editors, authors, and reviewers who have contributed to the AsJCL in the past – without which we would be unable to embark on this exciting new chapter of the Journal. We look forward to the continued support of our current and future editors, authors, and reviewers as we seek to seize the unique opportunity to be the leading forum on the law and legal systems of Asia in what many suggest will be the “Asian century”.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed working on it.