The donation, the largest ever for any law faculty in Europe, was made by Dickson Poon, a Hong Kong-based philanthropist. It forms part of an overall £40 million investment programme.

A King’s College spokesman said the gift aimed to establish the school – which will be renamed the Dickson Poon School of Law - as a “world leader” in transnational law, a field of increasing significance given the importance of institutions such as the European Union.

The donation will also help fund a worldwide recruitment campaign for eight academics to fill “distinguished chair” positions. Up to 75 students a year will also benefit from a scholarship programme, of which 15 places will be reserved for students from Hong Kong and China.

Sir John Major, the former prime minister and chairman of the King’s College fundraising campaign that attracted Mr Poon's donation, said: “The new Dickson Poon School of Law will attract the best and brightest legal scholars and students from around the world, and the academic faculty will pioneer a new standard for others to follow.”

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Mr Poon said: “My donation reflects a shared enthusiasm with the distinguished law faculty at King's College London to set new standards in legal education and research. The faculty will be expanded, student scholarships increased, leadership forums created and a new degree introduced.

“These groundbreaking innovations underscore our unique focus on transnational law, which will groom future leaders needed to guide an increasingly connected world.”

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Sir Richard Trainor, the university’s principal, said: “The creation of the Dickson Poon School of Law is a milestone achievement in the 180-year history of King's College London and will open a new era of academic opportunity.”