A virtual platform for exchanging legal expertise between Saudi Arabia and the United States
The Saudi Law Students Association at Washington University in St. Louis (SLSA – WashU LAW) organized its 2026 “Saudi Legal Forum in the United States” on Sunday, which was held virtually. The forum saw significant participation from the Saudi Cultural Attaché to the United States and Canada, Dr. Tahani Al-Baiz, along with a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and law students from leading American and Saudi universities. The forum aimed to create a specialized platform for dialogue on contemporary legal issues and to empower young Saudi talent to effectively integrate into international legal environments.
General context and importance of the event in light of Vision 2030
This forum comes at a crucial time as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undergoes radical legislative and judicial transformations in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The Vision aims to diversify the economy and attract foreign investment, which necessitates a sophisticated and transparent legal infrastructure that conforms to international standards. In this context, the importance of developing a new generation of Saudi legal professionals well-versed in comparative legal systems and capable of handling international commercial contracts and disputes becomes paramount. Students studying law in the United States serve as a vital knowledge bridge, transferring best practices and global legal experiences to the Kingdom, thus contributing to accelerating legislative development and bolstering the investment environment.
The main themes and pressing issues of the forum
The forum's program included parallel scientific sessions covering a wide range of vital topics reflecting the challenges and opportunities in the current legal landscape. Among the most prominent issues discussed were:
- Economic legislation and regulations: The principles of interpreting laws and their non-retroactivity were discussed, as well as competition law and its impact on market dynamics in comparative systems, in addition to ways to expand the legal market between the United States and the Kingdom.
- Technology and Law: Digital transformation occupied a large part of the discussions, as the applications of artificial intelligence in supporting litigation, protecting user privacy, and the legal frameworks for freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age were addressed.
- Environmental Law and Investment: Participants discussed the impact of environmental permits on investment in coastal tourism projects, a topic that is gaining increasing importance with the major projects launched by the Kingdom on its coasts.
- International and societal issues: The themes also included topics such as international responsibility for aviation accidents, combating organ trafficking, legislation related to combating harassment, and the working patterns of commercial courts under modern legislation.
Strategic importance and future impact
The importance of the forum extends beyond its academic significance; its impact is strategic. Locally, it contributes to developing qualified national talent to lead the legal sector in the future. Internationally, the forum enhances the Kingdom's reputation as a nation committed to developing its justice system and open to dialogue and knowledge exchange. Building professional and intellectual networks between Saudi legal professionals and their counterparts in the United States supports the career paths of students and researchers and opens new horizons for academic and professional collaboration, serving the shared interests of both countries in the areas of trade, investment, and justice.
