Dr Karina Patricio Ferreira Lima wins John H. Jackson Prize

The prize is awarded to the contribution to the Journal of International Economic Law that most significantly breaks new ground and adds insights to the study of international economic law.

The School of Law is delighted to announce that Dr Karina Patricio Ferreira Lima has been awarded the prestigious John H. Jackson Prize for her groundbreaking article titled ‘Sovereign Solvency as Monetary Power’.

The award is bestowed annually by the Journal of International Economic Law (JIEL) to recognise pioneering research and original insights into international economic law.

The prize honours the late Professor John H. Jackson, the founding editor of JIEL, who was renowned for his keen insights into novel systemic interactions in the field beyond the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s strict remit.

The award aims to celebrate Professor Jackson’s legacy and highlight the importance of understanding international economic law from a broader, continuously evolving perspective.

The selection process was overseen by a Prize Committee, comprising the Editors-in-Chief, Kathleen Claussen (Georgetown University Law Center, USA), Sergio Puig (University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, USA), and Michael Waibel (University of Vienna, Austria), along with other members of the JIEL Editorial Board.

Dr Patricio Ferreira Lima’s award-winning article reconceptualises sovereign insolvency from a fresh, money-centred perspective.

The work challenges traditional thinking, asserting that the solvency of sovereign states is fundamentally linked to the hierarchy of international currencies.

She argues that sovereign insolvencies are not just products of fiscal mismanagement but are inherent to the asymmetric nature of global liquidity. As such, she advocates for an international sovereign bankruptcy mechanism to ensure a more equitable global economic order.

Dr Patricio Ferreira Lima expressed her joy at receiving the award:

I am deeply honoured and humbled to be the recipient of this year’s John Jackson Prize. This recognition is a significant milestone in my academic career. I am indebted to the JIEL’s Editors-in-Chief for their unwavering support during the intricate process of publishing this article. It is my hope that this work continues to inspire a broader and evolving dialogue on international economic law, reflecting the spirit of John Jackson’s pioneering vision.