HKA is speaking on several panel discussions at London International Disputes Week 2 – 6 June 2025 (LIDW)

LIDW25 is destined to be even bigger and better than LIDW24.  Save the date and join us for a week of events looking at key issues and trends across the international commercial disputes community.

View the full programme of events here

2 June 2025 @ 1130 – 13.00 (International Arbitration Day)

On the frontier of disputes in the Middle East: Giga projects, economic diversification and the role of arbitration

In recent years mega-projects have come to the fore as a driver of significant growth in the Middle East.  But as they move from planning, to development, to realisation, disputes, will, and have, invariably begun to arise. In this session, a panel of regional experts, drawn from the construction and legal sectors, will examine the unique complexities that such disputes pose, and the role of arbitration, dispute boards and other forms of ADR, in resolving them.

Speakers
Teresa Laboucarie-Polak (Linklaters) – moderator
Annaliese Day KC (Fountain Court)
Ahmed Ibrahim (Independent Arbitrator and Founder of Ibrahim ADR)
Haroon Niazi (HKA)
Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration

Register here

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3 June 2025 @ 18.30 – 00.00 (YAYAH – Young And Young At Heart)

YAYAH Networking Event

The LIDW YAYAH social event returns for a fourth year, this year we are heading back to Flat Iron Square in London Bridge. The evening will feature great food and drink options, an informal Q&A, networking opportunities and an unforgettable comedy show.

What to expect

• Head to the main stage for an informal Q&A session where we will be discussing topics such as focusing on building a career in the London disputes market.
• After the Q&A, be prepared for a laugh back at our main stage with a comedy show featuring comedians Hal Cruttenden and Esther Manito.
• Food will be available throughout the evening from a selection of Flat Iron’s Street food stalls.*
• A range of drinks will be available from the bars.

Q&A Panel Guests
Olesya Prantyuk, Director – HKA
Nick Hourigan, Senior Managing Director – FTI Consulting
Kity St Aubyn, Of Counsel – CMS

Register here

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4 June 2025 @ 09.00 – 10.30 (Twenty Essex, LMMA, Stepehnson Harwood)

Dispute resolution in renewables and offshore disputes – bringing expertise from the maritime sector

The panel will explore:

• Current and future trends in disputes in renewables/ offshore
• Experiences of dispute resolution mechanisms in renewables/offshore
• LMAA Terms suitability for renewables/offshore disputes

Breakfast will be served at 8.30am. The session will begin at 9am.

Speakers
Clare Ambrose – Twenty Essex
Rebecca Crookenden – Stephenson Harwood
Cathal Leigh-Doyle – Stephenson Harwood
Colleen Hanley – Twenty Essex
Robert Shearer – The Shipowner’s Club
Werner Luus – HKA

Register here

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4 June 2025 @ 09.00 – 10.30 (WilmerHale, Baker McKenzie, ArbitralWomen)

ArbitralWomen Presents Accelerate Action with Arbitral Allies

Led by ArbitralWomen’s London based Board Members, this event focuses on bringing together representatives of major arbitral organisations and initiatives and members of the wider International Arbitration community, to network and brainstorm ideas and actions aimed at working together to make our community more inclusive. SpeedNet with representatives from:

• ArbitralWomen
• Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (ERA)
• Equal Representation for Expert Witnesses (ERE)
• the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers (REAL)
• Open Arbitration  

to find out more about their work and how we can collaborate together to accelerate action!

All allies welcome!  

Breakfast will be served at 8.30am. SpeedNet will begin at 9am.

Speakers
Jana LeFranc – Principal, HKA
Others TBA

Register here

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4 June 2025 @ 14.00 – 15.30 (HKA co-hosting with WilmerHale)

Recent arbitration trends in the Balkans

This session will explore recent developments in the arbitration landscape in the Balkan countries.  The panelists will draw on their own extensive experience with commercial and investment arbitrations in the region to give an overview of the current status quo and an outlook to the future.  Among other things, the panel will debate the impact of the sanctions recently imposed on the Serbian national oil company (NIS) and their effect on energy security in Serbia and beyond, as well as disputes arising from these developments. 

Speakers
Marleen Krueger – Partner, WilmerHale
Ana Stanič – Founder, E&A Law
Milica Savić – Partner, Karanović & Partners
Marija Šćekić – Director, Squire Patton Bogg
Jana LeFranc – Principal, HKA

Register here

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4 June 2025 @ 16.00 – 17.30 (HKA co-hosting with RICS and 4-5 Grays Inn Square)

The Role of Experts in the Dispute Resolution Process: A journey through Conflict Avoidance Panels, Dispute Boards, Expert Determiners and Expert Witnesses with viewpoints from London, the Middle East and Beyond

This event will give attendees a valuable insight into the important role of trained and qualified technical experts in resolving built environment disputes.

We will explore:

• How to utilise conflict avoidance panels and dispute boards on your projects to encourage parties to act collaboratively and resolve disagreements before they escalate.
• The use of expert determination and its success as a quick and efficient way to resolve technical disputes.
• What to look for when choosing the ‘right’ expert witness.

Key Note Address
Nicholas MacLean, Acting President & Chair of governing Counsel, President Elect – RICS

Panel 1: The Beginning of the Journey – Conflict Avoidance, Dispute Boards and the use of early ‘technical’ dispute resolvers

Conflict avoidance processes and dispute boards are a hot topic in the ADR and construction world. We will look at how adoption of these collaborative forms of conflict avoidance and dispute management can ‘de-risk’ a project. We will also consider the role of early dispute resolution techniques, such as early neutral intervention and expert determination, to deal with technical matters before they escalate.

Speakers (Panel 1)
Dr John Fletcher, Executive Director, Dispute Resolution Service – RICS (Moderator)
Arran Dowling-Hussey, Barrister, Adjudicator, Arbitrator, Mediator – 4-5 Grays Inn Square
Franco Mastandrea, Partner – HKA
Fatima Ghaith, Associate General Counsel – KSA Energy Company
Paul Taylor, Partner, Regional Head of Arbitration – Al Tamimi & Co

Panel 2: It’s going to arbitration – All about expert witnesses from the perspective of counsel, an arbitrator and the experts

This session will cover the use of expert witnesses during an arbitration and highlight the importance of choosing an expert who is not only technically qualified but also has international experience and exposure, sound knowledge of the arbitral procedure, and best practice when acting as an expert. We will also touch on the use of AI during arbitration proceedings.

Speakers (Panel 2)
Amanda Clack, Partner & Regional CEO – HKA (Moderator)
Haroon Niazi, Partner, Head of Construction Claims and Expert, EMEA – HKA
Leonora Riesenburg, Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
Rachel Gwilliam, Senior Legal Manager – Bouyges Energies & Services
Jessica Neuberger, Partner – Eversheds

Register here

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5 June 2025 @ 09.00 – 10.30 (HKA co-hosting with King & Spalding, SCCA (Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration)

The Evolving Landscape of Construction Disputes in Saudi Arabia

Join our panel of King & Spalding construction lawyers, HKA experts and guest speakers, as they explore the evolving landscape of Saudi construction projects. This session will focus on the impacts of new parties, projects, contracts and laws on Saudi giga projects, the typical claims and disputes issues arising and the mechanisms being explored or adopted by parties to seek to efficiently resolve those disputes. We will address:  

• The development of the construction disputes landscape in the Kingdom.
• The evolving nature of DABs in KSA and how we are witnessing giga projects adopting DABs to manage disputes.
• The panel’s collective experience in navigating the nuances of delivering complex projects in the Kingdom and its understanding of the causation of disputes in Saudi and the wider ME region.

Speakers
Dr. Hamed Merah, CEO – Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (Keynote Introduction)
Amanda Clack, Partner & Regional CEO – HKA (Moderator)
Shareena Edmonds, Partner & Deputy Head of Global Construction and Engineering Disputes Practice – King & Spalding
Vincent Rowan, Partner – King & Spalding
Timothy Whealy, Partner, HKA
Christian Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel – Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration

Register here

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5 June 2025 @ 09.00 – 10.30 (39 Essex Chambers & LCIA)

Shaping the Future: The Growing Impact of Net-Zero in Arbitration

A panel discussion covering whether net-zero related matters should – or even can be – siloed as standalone considerations or whether they in fact form part of every lawyer’s work when advising on any matter. As arbitrations increasingly involve the energy sector, renewables and other disputes concerning net-zero related matters, and as stakeholders and players in arbitration increasingly find themselves grappling with the need to reduce carbon emissions, we speak to our panel comprising of leading experts in the field on the changes they expect to see in arbitrations in the next few years and how we can best equip ourselves to ensure we are ready for such changes.

Speakers
Nigel Pleming KC – 39 Essex Chambers
Camilla ter Haar – 39 Essex Chambers
Marie Berard – Clifford Chance
Eliana Tornese – London Court of International Arbitration
Remy Gerbay – Hughes Hubbard
Jana Lefranc – HKA

Register here

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5 June 2025 @ 11.00 – 12.30 (HKA co-hosting with Reynolds Porter Chamberlain RPC)

AI in Action: How LLMs are revolutionising dispute resolution

Discover how AI is revolutionizing dispute resolution by enhancing efficiency and accuracy, while maintaining the crucial role of human expertise. 

Join us for an insightful session on ” How LLMs are revolutionising dispute resolution” where industry leaders demonstrate the transformative power of AI in legal and arbitration work. Learn how AI can handle massive volumes of data, improve case management, and assist experts in making informed decisions, all while ensuring transparency and maintaining the integrity of human analysis. This session is a must-attend for professionals looking to leverage AI to enhance their dispute resolution strategies.

Speakers
Irma Raza – Director – HKA (Moderator)
Darren Mullins, Partner – HKA
Chris Whitehouse, Senior Associate – Reynolds Porter Chamberlain
David Blayney KC – Serle Court
Bianca Vasilache, Associate – International Arbitration – AO Shearman

Register here

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5 June 2025 @ 16.00 – 17.30 (HKA co-hosting with White & Case)

Breaking Barriers – Women in Construction

The event kicks off with an introductory presentation that provides up-to-date statistics on gender representation and trends in construction industry over time. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the key challenges faced by women in construction disputes through personal anecdotes and case studies from various regions and sectors. The presentation will also cover the importance of initiatives like the Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) and Equal Representation for Expert Witnesses (ERE) Pledges, highlighting success stories from organizations that have adopted these pledges in the construction industry. Following the presentation, a panel discussion will feature accomplished women from diverse disciplines such as arbitrators, experts, lawyers, general counsel, and government representatives. Moderated to ensure a range of perspectives, the panel will delve into topics like overcoming industry challenges, effective mentorship, the role of communication and cooperation between men and women in promoting gender equality. Attendees will also hear predictions from industry leaders on the future diversity trends in the construction industry and the impact of new policies aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment. This event is a must-attend for anyone committed to advancing gender equality in the construction sector.

Speakers
Emily Elliot, Associate – White & Case (Moderator)
Sherin Aminossehe, Director of Infrastructure at the UK Ministry of Defence
Dr. Janet Young, CEO of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Amanda Clack, Partner & Regional CEO – HKA
Kim Franklin KC – Crown Office Chambers
Rebecca Shorter, Chair – The Society of Construction Law

Register here