Siyi Lin

Professor Siyi Lin is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Her research focuses on unjust enrichment, trust law, contract law, and property law, with a particular emphasis on comparative legal analysis between China and common law jurisdictions. She holds a PhD and LLM from CUHK LAW, as well as an LLB from China University of Political Science and Law.

• Education
  • PhD, CUHK LAW
  • LLM, CUHK LAW
  • LLB, China University of Political Science and Law

Dr. Lin’s research explores the transplantation of trust law principles into Chinese civil law, the historical evolution of unjust enrichment doctrines, and normative exceptions to pacta sunt servanda in the Chinese Civil Code. Her work often integrates Confucian philosophy with modern legal theory, particularly in analyzing private law frameworks.

Her recent publications include the monograph The Law of Unjust Enrichment in China: Necessary or Not? and articles comparing English trust registration systems to Chinese practices, Quistclose trusts in Chinese law, and the role of China’s International Commercial Court under the Belt and Road Initiative. These works reflect her interest in cross-jurisdictional legal harmonization and institutional reform.

• Scientific Awards
  • Young Scholars Thesis Award, CUHK (2019)
  • Global Scholarship Programme for Research Excellence, CUHK (2018–2019)
  • HKSAR Scholarship Fund Reaching-Out and Talent Awards (2017)
  • Dean’s List Award, CUHK Faculty of Law (2015)

Dr. Lin previously practiced as a qualified lawyer in mainland China at King & Wood Mallesons and Fangda Partners, gaining experience in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. She has contributed to case commentaries on unjust enrichment defenses in Hong Kong courts and has received multiple scholarships for academic excellence.