Sonam Tshering
Associate Professor
Associate Dean for the JSW Law Research & Library Services
Biography
Sonam Tshering is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Library Services, possessing over fifteen years of extensive experience across academia, media, parliamentary affairs, and public service. His professional background includes roles as a public prosecutor, investigator, trainer, and legal advisor to the Narcotic Control and Tobacco Control Board before joining JSW Law. He joined JSW Law in 2017 as Junior Lecture. As an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the JSW Law Research Centre at Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law), Bhutan’s sole law school, he has played a pivotal role in shaping legal education and research since its establishment in 2017. A founding faculty member, he combines rigorous academic leadership with administrative responsibilities, including Associate Dean, Chairperson of the Research Review and Ethics Committee, lead in initiating and coordinating Executive Training, Summer School and Focal Faculty for International Partnerships.
Mr Tshering’s career is marked by significant contributions to Bhutan’s legal framework. He has drafted more than fifteen national policies and legislative bills, notably the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan (2011) and the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substance and Substance Abuse Bill (2014), which have had a substantial impact on public health and governance. His expertise extends to climate change law, where he served on the core committee for the establishment of the Climate Change and Environmental Centre at JSW Law. He also attended the UNFCCC COP 27 (2022) as a National Delegate and COP 28 (2023) in Dubai as an observer.
He is a certified Jabmi (Legal Counsel) and mediator and serves as a National Technical Advisor to the Bhutan Qualifications and Professional Committee.
Mr Tshering has received international recognition, including the WHO Regional Director’s Award (2012) for his contributions to tobacco control, and the Media Fellowship Award from the Centre for Science and Environment (2009) for climate change reporting. As a social rights advocate, he authors a weekly legal column in Kuensel, Bhutan’s leading newspaper, and has presented and been keynote speaker at numerous international conferences.
Areas of Interest
- Commercial Contracts
- Contracts Drafting
- Litigation and conflict management
- Dispute Resolution: Negotiation
- Media and mass communication laws
- Privacy and digital laws
- Constitutional Laws
- Election Laws
- Environmental Laws
- Arbitration laws
- Mediation laws
Publications
Books/Book Chapters:
- Tshering, S. (2023). The Rule of Law and Legal Controversies: The Impact of COVID-19 in Bhutan. In J. Aston, A. Tomer, & J.E. Mathew (Eds.), Comparative Approaches in Law and Policy (pp. 1–22). Springer.
- Tshering, S., & Dorji, N. (2020). The Role of the Constitutional Monarch in a Public Health Crisis. In V.V. Ramraj (Ed.), COVID-19 in Asia: Law and Policy Contexts (pp. 45–60). Oxford University Press.
Journal Articles
- Tshering, S. (2020). Effective Implementation of Laws: Challenges During COVID-19. Bhutan Law Review, XIV, 63–82.
- Tshering, S. (2020). An Example of the Need to Enact Good Laws: Lessons from COVID-19. Bhutan Law Review, XI, 22–30.
- Tshering, S. (2019). Anonymity and Freedom of Speech. Bhutan Law Review, 11, 15–21.
- Tshering, S. (2018). Comparative Study on Good Faith in Contract Laws of the United States and Bhutan. George Washington University Law Review, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
- Tshering, S. (2016). Delegated Legislation: Theory, Practice, and Application in Bhutan. Bhutan Law Review, 5, 24–31.
- Tshering, S. (2016). Fundamental Rights and Writs. Bhutan Law Review, 6, 12–16.
- Tshering, S. (2015). Is Bhutan Ready for the Twenty-First Century Hi-Tech Virtual World? Bhutan Law Review, 4, 22–24.
Policy Reports and Manuals:
- Tshering, S. (2023). JSW Law Research Guidelines. JSW Law Publishing Series.
- Tshering, S. (2021). Faculty Selection and Recruitment Policy. JSW Law.
- Tshering, S. (2022). Research Centre Policy, JSW Law
- Tshering, S. (2017). Drugs and alcohol Policy, JSW Law.
- Tshering, S. (2016). Legislative Drafting Manual of the Parliament of Bhutan. National Assembly Secretariat.
- Tshering, S. (2016). Public Hearing Manual for Parliamentary Committees. National Assembly Secretariat.
Editorial Roles:
- Editor, GNH & Law (Vol. I), 2022. JSW Law Publishing Series.
- Editor-in-Chief, National Assessment on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities, 2023. JSW Law Publishing Series.
- Editor-in-Chief, JSW Law Review (Vols. I, II, & III), 2022, 2023, & 2024. JSW Law Publishing Series.
- Editor-in-Chief, JSW Journal of Law and Policy (Vol. I), 2024. JSW Law Publishing Series.
Other Contributions:
- Tshering, S. (2013). Drug Law in Bhutan. In Miracles of Life (pp. 36–38). Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency.
- Tshering, S. (2012). Drug Laws in Bhutan. In A Cry of the Heart: Stories on Addiction (pp. 58–63). Tarayana Foundation.
- Tshering, S. (2004). Tribute to His Majesty the 4th King. In Drukyul’s Destiny (pp. 73–78). Tarayana Foundation. (In Dzongkha)
Op-Eds:
- Legal Columnist for Kuensel (2019–Present): Authored over 300 articles on constitutional law, privacy rights, and climate governance. Available at: Kuensel Opinions.
Courses
- Current Courses at JSW Law (2018–Present):
- Contract Law (Undergraduate)
- Public/Government Procurement Contracts
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation
- Civil and Criminal Procedural Law
- Media Law, Privacy, and Freedom of Speech
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Education History
- LL.M, George Washington Law School, Washington DC, USA
- LL. B, New Law College, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
- Post-Graduate Diploma (Bhutanese Laws), Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu, Bhutan
- B.Sc (Bachelor of Science), Sherubtse College, University of Delhi.