Conference programme

In a world with increasing geopolitical and other tensions and a rising demand for and dependence on electricity for all sorts of human activity the security of supply of power becomes more and more important. This session will focus on the physical and cyber threats to infrastructure related to power production, transmission, storage, risk of damage by sabotage, cyberattacks, military action etc.

We will explore the exposure to these risks and how they are related to the overall resilience and total defence of our economies and societies, the related legal regimes at national and international level and how the risks can be managed in connection with the planning of energy policy and investment, construction and operation and management of these assets and systems, as well as the ability take legal action and enforce legal rights in the event of damage or interruption.

The rise of social media has transformed the global landscape of free expression — but it has also raised complex criminal law and human rights questions. This panel will explore the tensions between freedom of speech, online safety and the prevention of crime in the digital age. Topics include the criminalisation of online hate speech and disinformation, state regulation of digital platforms, and the responsibilities of social media companies in balancing free expression with harm prevention. The discussion will also consider recent case law, jurisdictional challenges and the role of criminal justice systems in safeguarding both liberty and accountability in the online sphere.

The discussion will focus on how artificial intelligence is transforming law firm operations, governance and professional responsibility — including issues of data protection, intellectual property ownership and ethical use of AI tools.

This is a session that will be beneficial for you personally and for your firm’s success. By prioritising your wellbeing, you can sustain your productivity over time, continue to contribute valuable skills, and transform ageing from a challenge into a positive experience.

A year on from the UNDP Sevilla Initiative for Accountable Service Providers, the debate around ‘professional enablers’ has moved on and intensified. Given the forthcoming World Bank/UN StAR report on professional enablers, the UK’s Illicit Finance Summit held in London, planned for December 2026, in addition to ongoing work led by United Nations Development Programme, expectations on lawyers and accountants remain in focus.
 
Once framed as neutral advisers, professionals are increasingly positioned critically as potential facilitators of illicit financial flows. Against this backdrop, difficult questions are emerging. Are existing ethical frameworks and AML obligations sufficient, or are they being outpaced by regulatory and political pressure? Is enhanced self-regulation credible, or is external intervention inevitable? And to what extent are the professions being asked to solve a problem they did not create?
 
This session brings together perspectives across these developments to examine whether the current trajectory represents meaningful reform or reactive policymaking. It will explore the practical realities facing professionals, the risks to independence and privilege, and the growing expectation that the legal and accounting sectors play a more proactive role in safeguarding financial integrity.
 
Framed as a candid, roundtable discussion, the session will challenge assumptions, test the limits of current approaches, and ask a central question: are professionals truly part of the solution, or still uncomfortably close to the problem?
 

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the Committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the Committee.

Join us for our joint open committee business meeting where all members and Officers of the two Committees are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the Committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the Committee.

This panel will address cross-border internal investigations, privilege considerations, whistleblowing management and reputational risk — drawing insights from employment, criminal, data protection and media law.

The CJEU's 2022 London Steam-Ship decision exposed a critical gap in the Brussels I Recast Regulation: whilst judgments confirming arbitral awards can prevent recognition of irreconcilable judgments from other Member States, the absence of a lis pendens rule regarding arbitration proceedings creates significant risks of conflicting decisions and undermines legal certainty. The European Commission's 2025 report on the application of the Brussels I Recast Regulation acknowledges such irreconcilability risks and seeks to eliminate it. Against this backdrop, the Sorbonne Research Project has proposed a concrete solution. This panel will explore the diverging approaches across EU jurisdictions to this coordination challenge, examine the practical implications of the London Steam-Ship ruling and critically assess whether the Sorbonne proposal strikes the right balance between party autonomy, judicial efficiency and the fundamental principle of mutual trust underpinning EU civil procedure.

As global energy generation accelerates, particularly with the rise of renewables, transmission and distribution networks are under unprecedented strain. With rolling blackouts, pipeline risks, and capacity constraints, how are new regulatory requirements for sustaining and securing networks affecting projects? How are we responding to the disruption in contracting and dispute resolution? This panel will explore the full spectrum of disputes arising across the energy infrastructure chain, from capacity allocation and connection delays to liability for outages, interruptions, and regulatory non-compliance.

It will also consider the challenges of integrating new technologies, meeting decarbonisation targets, and balancing the interests of states, regulators, investors, operators, and consumers. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the discussion aims to highlight how legal practitioners can help manage risk proactively, design more resilient contractual frameworks, and resolve disputes efficiently in an evolving energy landscape.

This session will provide a global round-up of the hottest topics in asset management, covering emerging trends, regulatory developments, and market challenges. Participants will gain insights into key issues shaping investment strategies, risk management, and compliance across major jurisdictions.

Much programming has been done on the rule of law, the separation of powers, pillars of democracy and other issues that have transcended national boundaries. What has been missing from the discussion is an emphasis on the grassroots and the need not just for more civic education, but for a more prominent role by bars beyond the issuance of statements. In short, bar associations need to make concrete the body of scholarship and legal writings. Without public understanding of the integration of basic knowledge of civics and how it relates to the rule of law, the current paralysis will continue. Bars – and all lawyers, for that matter – are uniquely positioned to engage with the public, and not just government. The panel will not only discuss these issues, but present practical guidance. The showcase will be in two parts: Part I will focus on the legal, social, economic and historical importance of the rule of law and its challenges. Part II will be a workshop, where specific questions and scenarios are presented to the audience, who will be invited to participate.