Join us for the 2025 International Construction Arbitration Conference, the sixth edition of the annual flagship event organised by the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, King’s College London. Focused on the latest and most topical issues in construction law and dispute resolution, this exclusive gathering brings together leading experts to discuss current and future developments in arbitration and dispute resolution in complex construction, infrastructure and energy projects. Hosted at the heart of legal London, it is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and network among the top professionals in the field.

Programme

9.00am – Registration, tea & coffee

9.30am – Welcome

Conference Chairs:

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

• James Pickavance, Visiting Professor at King’s College London

9.40am – Times of Crisis? Making International Arbitration Competitive Again in the Age of ADR

Chair: Vincent Rowan, Partner at King & Spalding

• Anna Mills, Partner at DLA Piper
• Edward Corbett, Consultant at Howard Kennedy

10.30am – Under Fire: The Growing Trend of Challenges to Arbitrators

Chair: Graeme Bradley, Partner at Squire Patton Boggs

• David Robertson, Partner at White & Case
• Karen Gidwani, Senior Partner at Fenwick Elliott
• Jamie Harrison, Deputy Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• Colleen Parker Bacquet, Counsel at ICC International Court of Arbitration

11.20am – Coffee break

11.40am – Hot tubbing experts: the antidote to non-interventionist arbitrators?

Chair: Caroline Pope, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard

• Anthony Charlton, Partner at HKA
• Robert Kovacs, Partner at Withersworldwide
• Peter Rosher, Partner at Reed Smith LLP

12.30pm – Delay and Quantum Experts in the Age of AI: Evolution or Extinction?

Chair: Emma Schaafsma, Partner at CMS

• Michael Sergeant, Partner at HFW
• Joanne Prior, Managing Director at Kroll
• Tom Francis, Senior Managing Director at Ankura

1.20pm – Lunch break

2.20pm – Keynote Lecture: Sanctions and Arbitration: Jurisdiction, Admissibility or Merits?

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

3.00pm – Performance Obligations in Energy Contracts: Challenges and Solutions

Chair: Claire Packman KC, Barrister at 4 Pump Court Chambers

• Charlie Caher, Partner at WilmerHale
• James Doe, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
• Rob McNabb, Partner at Jones Day

3.50pm – Coffee break

4.10pm – Keep Calm and Carry On: Force Majeure Clauses in a time of geopolitical turmoil

Chair: Marion Smith KC, Barrister at 39 Essex Chambers

• Kate Gough, Partner at Freshfields
• Melis Acuner, Partner at Quinn Emanuel
• Virginie Colaiuta, Partner at LMS Legal LLP

5.00pm – Centre of Construction Law & Dispute Resolution Annual Debate

Motion: This house believes that the adversarial system is better than an inquisitorial one for resolving disputes

Chair: Lord Hoffmann, Arbitrator at Brick Court Chambers

• Debaters: Sean Brannigan KC, Head of 4 Pump Court Chambers and Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC, Head of Atkin Chambers

5.50pm – Concluding Remarks

6.00pm – Drinks Reception and Networking

The conference will include a networking lunch, and will be followed by a drinks reception. Attendance in person: £120, online: £15, free for MSc students.