40th School of International Arbitration Anniversary Conference
When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Arts 2 Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS
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Programme: Programme [PDF 42,118KB]
We are delighted to announce that the School of International Arbitration (SIA) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a landmark conference, Arbitration in Context, on 10 and 11 September 2025 held at the main QMUL Campus at the ArtsTwo Lecture Theatre.
Established in 1985 the SIA was the first academic institution dedicated to teaching and research of international arbitration as a distinct discipline. Over the last four decades, the SIA has been recognised globally as a leading academic centre for international commercial and investment arbitration. Notably, the influential SIA led international arbitration surveys, the 14th edition was published in June 2025. Over the years we have had more than 3000 alumni from more than 120 jurisdictions.
International Arbitration, Queen Mary University of London.
There are two main events:
- a landmark conference, Arbitration in Context, on 10 and 11 September 2025 held at the main QMUL Campus at the ArtsTwo Lecture Theatre. The conference explores arbitration as an academic discipline in the context of economy, sociology, philosophy, regulation and history. This event will also explore how arbitration has adapted to evolving global events - geographic, economic and technological.
- a Gala Dinner at the Old Hall of Lincoln’s Inn on 10 September 2025 (Please note that we will not be able to accommodate dietary requirements submitted after 3 September. Guests who do not provide their preferences by this date will be served the set menu, which includes lamb as the main course.)
We will be filming and/or taking photos during this event to use for marketing and promotional purposes by Queen Mary University of London. If you prefer not to be filmed/photographed, please let us know by speaking to a member of the CCLS Events Team or contact ccls-events@qmul.ac.uk.
Wednesday 10 September 2025
12:30 – 13:30: Registration and Coffee
13:30 – 14:00: Opening and Keynote Speech
14:00 – 15:30: Session 1: Arbitration and Economy
- Economics of Arbitration (efficiency models)
- Arbitration as a Market (competition amongst institutions, seats, law firms)
- Contribution of Arbitration to Economy
- Impact of Arbitration on (State) Justice System
15:30 – 16:00: Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30: Session 2: Arbitration and Sociology
- Is Arbitration an (Eco-) System
- Actors in International Arbitration
- Arbitration Sub-systems
- Arbitration and Network(s)
17:30 – 18:30: Roundtable of International Luminaries on the evolution of Arbitration in the last 40 years
Thursday 11 September 2025
09:00 – 09:30: Coffee
09:30 – 11:00: Session 3: Arbitration and Philosophy
- Restorative Justice (Aristotelian Approach) v State Interests
- Arbitration and Moral Justice, Arbitration as Justice
- Arbitration and Ethics
- Cultural approaches
11:00 – 11:30: Coffee break
11:30 – 13:00: Session 4: Arbitration and Regulation
- ISDS and the quest for (more) regulation
- The hardening of Soft Law – the Formulating Agencies
- Is there an Erosion of Party Autonomy or Who Calls the Shots
- The Re-emergence of ad hoc arbitration
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Session 5: Arbitration as Academia
- Teaching of Arbitration Theory and Practice
- Research and Scholarship
- Experiential Learning (Moots and teaching of skills)
- Empirical Research 2.0
15:30 – 16:00: Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30: Session 6: Arbitration and Technology
- Opportunities and challenges of the use of AI in international arbitration
- Privacy, Security and Tech-savviness
- Soft law instruments and other regulatory issues of AI
17:30 – 18:00: Keynote Speech II:
18:00: Closing and Drinks Reception and alumni-driven activities
Confirmed Speakers and Moderators:
- Dr Crina Baltag, SIA, Queen Mary University of London
- Saadia Bhatty, Partner, Gide, London
- Professor Andrea Bjorklund, McGill University, Montreal
- Hugh Carlson, CEO, Three Crowns, Washington DC
- Professor Debbie De Girolamo, SIA, Queen Mary University of London
- Professor Diane Desierto, Notre Dame University, United States
- Professor Kun Fan, UNSW, Sydney
- Dr Maria Fanou, SIA, Queen Mary University of London
- Greg Falkof, Partner, Partner, Mishcon de Reya, London
- Clement Fouchard Partner, Reed Smith, Paris
- Norah Gallagher, Director, SIA, Queen Mary University of London
- Dr Remy Gerbay, SIA, Queen Mary University of London, Partner, Hughes Hubbard, Washington, DC
- Professor Bernard Hanotiau, Hanotiau & van den Berg, Brussels
- Dominique Hascher, Singapore International Commercial Court and Independent Arbitrator
- Hilary Heilbron KC, Brick Court Chambers, London
- Professor Moshe Hirsch, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
- Professor Stefan Kröll, Bucerius Law School
- Professor Julian Lew KC, Head, SIA, Queen Mary University of London and 20 Essex Street
- Dr Mohamed Mahayni, Acting Executive Director, MIDS, Geneva
- Professor Loukas Mistelis, SIA, Queen Mary University of London and Partner, Clyde & Co, London
- Dr Mary Mitsi, SIA, Queen Mary University of London
- Alan Redfern, retired, One Essex Court, London
- Nania Owusu-Ankomah Sackey, Partner, Bentsi Enchill, Accra
- Professor Maxi Scherer, SIA, Queen Mary University of London and Founding Partner, ArbBoutique
- Dr Mikael Schinazi, Senior Associate, Jones Day, Paris
- Professor Thomas Schultz, University of Geneva and King’s College London
- Audley Sheppard KC, 20 Essex Street
- Dr Laurence Shore, Partner. Seladore Legal, Milan
- Dr Eduardo Silva Romero, Partner, Wordstone, Paris
- Sylvia Tonova, Partner, Pinsent Masons, London
- Ana Vermal, Partner, Proskauer, Paris and New York
- Matthew Weiniger, KC, Partner, Linklaters, London
- Guled Yusuf, Partner, AO Shearman, London
- Patricia Shaughnessy, Associate Professor Stockholm University, President of the William C. Vis Moot
- Mike McClure KC, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Dominic Spenser Underhill, Spenser Underhill & Newmark LLP & Hon. Professory QMUL
- James Castello - Arbitration Chambers