Conference programme

As global economic ties deepen while political fault lines widen, cross-border litigation is increasingly shaped but jurisdictional battles and the intrusion of national security consideration into commercial disputes. Litigators face courts competing for authority, states asserting extraterritorial reach and businesses caught between compliance with domestic mandates and exposure to foreign liability.

Speaker will address whether the current fragmentation signals a breakdown of established norms or simply the emergence of new strategic terrain for litigators.

Wars may end, but the courtroom keeps memories alive. From banks sued for wartime profiteering to corporations tied to conflict zones, history shows that business decisions can resurface decades later. This session looks at what to expect from today's war in tomorrow's courtroom.

Clients demand transparency and speed, courts push for efficiency and cooperation, and evidence have gone digital and is sometimes even AI-generated. The traditional litigator-client-court triangle has been disrupted beyond recognition. This session challenges litigators to confront how their role is being reshaped: from warrior to strategist, from case-builder to case-manager. Are we adapting fast enough or clinging to a model of litigation that no longer exists?

Organised by the Spanish Club of Litigation. 

As part of the Annual Litigation Forum, participants will have the opportunity to visit either the Spanish Supreme Court or the Constitutional Court on Thursday, 16 April. This exceptional visit will allow participants to gain insight into two of Spain’s key judicial institutions, which play a central role in upholding the rule of law, at a particularly significant moment as Spain marks 50 years of democracy.

Participation in the visit is subject to prior registration, which may be completed directly via the following links:

Spanish Supreme Court Visit | IBA Annual Litigation Forum | 16 April 2026: Registration link

Spanish Constitutional Court Visit | IBA Annual Litigation Forum | 16 April 2026: Registration link

Please note that, for security reasons, participation is limited to those who register by 31 March and who are in possession of valid identification documents.

The reform of collective redress mechanisms marks a turning point for access to justice and corporate accountability. This session will explore the implications of the new class action regime, with a particular focus on its impact on multinational litigation. Panellists will debate how the framework reshapes procedural safeguards, evidentiary standards and damages assessment, while also addressing concerns of forum shopping, litigation funding and harmonisation across jurisdictions. Comparative perspectives from Europe, North American and emerging markets will shed light on opportunities and challenges for practitioners.