This annual conference, now in its fourth edition, brings together leading practitioners in construction law dealing with new and most pressing issues that have emerged over the past 12 months and are likely to be topical going forward, providing an international and practical perspective on arbitration and dispute resolution. Each session will be followed by a Q&A.

The event is free to attend online. In-person attendance costs £60. The conference will include a networking lunch and will be followed by a drinks reception.

Conference programme

9.00am – Registration, tea & coffee

9.30am – Welcome

Conference Chair: Professor Renato Nazzini, Director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, King’s College London

Conference Co-Chair: James Pickavance, Partner at Jones Day

9.40am – The use of FIDIC and NEC forms from the point of view of the employer and contractor in the international market

Chair: Marc Hanson, Partner at Mishcon de Reya

• Nicholas Gould, Partner at Fenwick Elliott
• Shy Jackson, Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
• Gillian Thomas, Partner at Hogan Lovells

10.20am – Digital tools in construction dispute resolution: how can we harness AI and digitalisation to resolve disputes efficiently?

Chair: Sarah Keyte, Associate Technical Director at HKA

• Jamie Harrison, Deputy Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration
• Joseph Otoo, Senior Legal Counsel and Associate Director at Arup
• Margarita Papaioannou, Senior Director at Kroll

11.00am – Coffee break

11.20am – The role of non-lawyer arbitrators in construction disputes

Chair: Caroline Pope, Partner at DLA Piper

• Murray Armes, Senior Managing Director at J.S. Held
• Virginie Colaiuta, Partner at LMS Legal
• James Hope, Partner at Vinge
• Sam Kay, Principal Legal Counsel at Kier Group

12.00pm – Effective advocacy in construction arbitration: making your case and persuading the tribunal

Chair: Riaz Hussain KC, Barrister at Atkin Chambers

• Philippa Charles, Arbitrator at Twenty Essex
• Ania Farren, Partner at Fieldfisher
• Jason Fry KC, Partner at Clifford Chance
• Philip Norman, Partner at CMS

12.40pm – Lunch break

1.40pm – Lecture: AI and Humans and Their Respective Roles in the Resolution of Construction Disputes

Professor Renato Nazzini, Director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, King’s College London

2.10pm – What should we expect in the next wave of disputes arising out of renewable energy projects?

Chair: Roberta Downey, Partner at Vinson & Elkins

• James Bremen, Partner at Quinn Emanuel
• Samantha Lord Hill, Counsel at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
• Fabio Solimene, Assistant General Counsel at Honeywell
• Jessica Stephens KC, Barrister at 4 Pump Court

2.50pm – The new wave of nuclear: what are the challenges and opportunities for the industry?

Chair: Rebecca Shorter, Partner at White & Case

• Peter O’Brien, Partner at Clyde & Co
• Gurmukh Riyat, Partner at Pinsent Masons
• Vincent Rowan, Partner at King & Spalding

3.30pm – Coffee break

3.50pm – Procedural Order No. 1: views from counsel and tribunal

Chair: Dr Hamish Lal, Partner at Akin Gump

• Isabel Hitching KC, Barrister at Crown Office Chambers
• David Nitek, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills
• Robert Price, Partner at Latham & Watkins
• Lindy Patterson KC, Barrister at 39 Essex Chambers

4.30pm – The pros and cons of DABs. Where do we stand?

Chair: Alexander Nissen KC, Barrister at Keating Chambers

• Jean-Marc Coulon, Head of Legal at Bouygues Construction
• Javier Hernandez, Senior Director at FTI Consulting
• Tony Dymond, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton
• Yolanda Walker, Partner at DWF

5.10pm – Concluding remarks

Conference Chair: Professor Renato Nazzini, Director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, King’s College London

5.20pm – Drinks reception and networking