Conference programme

The session will examine the trade relationships between the United States, Canada and Mexico, and explore what lies on the horizon. The speakers will consider lessons learned from prior trade agreements and the new trade alliances forming between USMCA countries and third countries, what changes are being proposed, and the effect that a realignment of trade priorities would have on the North American alliance. Illustrations will be drawn from industries most significantly affected, such as dairy, agriculture and automobiles.

Examining comparative global approaches to research, development, patient programs and market access for orphan drugs.

Banks are no longer the only dominant providers of credit. Private funds, insurers, fin-techs, and tech-driven platforms are rapidly expanding their footprint. This panel will analyse the competitive pressures facing incumbents, the opportunities for cooperation with new entrants and the implications for legal structuring, market stability, and regulatory oversight.

This session will explore the role of legal regulators in promoting, supporting and embodying the rule of law during a time of increasing polarisation and populist rhetoric. The session will examine their activities including through the lens of ethical and competency requirements and mandatory education and training. 

A session in which the Regulation of Lawyers Committee, in collaboration with the Law Firm Management Committee and others, will explore emerging trends in the management and regulation of lawyers and law firms, how the associated risks associated with change can be managed, and how opportunities can be identified to ensure resilience and success.

With the geopolitical tensions and increases in defence spending, it is timely to discuss the arbitration of disputes arising in the defence sector. This panel will examine the continued growth of private military contracting, and the emergence of advanced cyber defence technologies, including AI systems. Does the privacy or confidentiality offered by international arbitration make it suited to these disputes, and is arbitration equipped to handle sensitive national-security-related information? Do we need special protocols or frameworks to address the unique challenges posed by this sector?

This panel will explore how advisors to closely held companies can structure cross-border transactions and partnerships in ways that reduce friction. The panel will examine the missteps that can arise when US‑style agreements are deployed in non‑US transactions, including the interpretation of common law concepts by civil law courts, and will address how to choose governing law, including when to select neutral law that is neither the buyer’s nor the seller’s home country law. The panel will also evaluate different choices in arbitration provisions. The panel discussion will include tactical considerations, such as selecting and managing local counsel, coordinating multi‑jurisdictional diligence and reconciling negotiation styles across markets.  Finally, the panel will offer practical tips on how to prepare clients for the international components of a transaction (including labour law, regulatory approvals, data protection, tax and other local requirements).

This panel will explore the key features of the legal framework and cultural factors that shape investment decision-making and outcomes across the many jurisdictions in Latin America. The discussion will address regional nuances in areas such as governance, compliance, government relations, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement, highlighting the factors that can improve or affect deal execution, integration, and value creation.

This session will explore the ethical challenges of aggressive lawyering in court and negotiations through an interactive moot court/transaction, assessing how far advocacy should go and where ethical lines are drawn.

In today’s social media-driven world, passenger incidents can quickly escalate into global crises, where legal decisions directly impact public perception and customer trust. This panel explores how airlines balance legal risk, transparency, and crisis communication, while highlighting the role of lawyers in managing real-time, high-pressure situations alongside PR and operations teams.
 
This session will discuss:

• liability and duty of care in passenger incidents - legal obligations of airlines/airports towards passenger safety and potential liability for physical harm and/or emotional distress;
• real time legal risk management and decision making - lawyers play a critical role during unfolding incidents by advising operations and PR teams on immediate actions that minimize legal exposure while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks;
• defamation and privacy risks - how are these risks handled by airports and airlines when videos or personal information go viral; and
• regulatory compliance and government scrutiny - incidents often trigger investigations by aviation authorities. At such time, how do airlines/airports coordinate legal responses, preserve evidence and ensure adherence to national and international aviation regulations?

This session will explore key transactional issues such as employment due diligence, data privacy, pensions and TUPE considerations, and how these intersect with corporate structuring, warranties and regulatory compliance.

In a context of reduced staffing levels, heightened sustainability demands and a growing need for spaces that foster creativity and human interaction, how will office buildings and cities be designed and built in the future?

The session will explore the increasing and varied regulations relating to the movement of art and the impact of those regulations on identified aspects of the art market.

The purpose of this session is to explore practical ways to enhance the cost-effectiveness of expert evidence without compromising analytical rigour or the expert’s assistance to the tribunal. As you know, concerns about the escalating cost of arbitration are increasingly centred on expert involvement. This panel will offer a constructive discussion, bringing together arbitrators, counsel and experts to consider procedural tools that drive efficiency while preserving quality.

As the global community faces intensifying climate impacts, resource scarcity and a rapid transition towards sustainable energy systems, disputes over environmental and energy issues are becoming increasingly complex. These conflicts often involve a diverse range of actors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society. Speakers will examine the unique challenges posed by these disputes, including scientific uncertainty, long-term environmental impacts, transboundary issues and asymmetries of power and information.

A candid discussion about the 'missing middle' – why so many women leave the legal profession mid-career, and what firms, leaders and individuals can do to sustain ambition, confidence and balance.

Across jurisdictions, there’s an observable trend towards accelerated environmental approvals for large infrastructure projects, at times recategorised as strategic projects of national security priority, such as with critical minerals projects. What will this entail for the standard public consultation processes and general stakeholder engagement? Many jurisdictions have ample experience with such public consultation processes, whether in the context of mining or nuclear projects, for example. What are the lessons learned? This session will critically evaluate the latest trends across jurisdictions with environmental permitting procedures, its implications from a social licence to operate perspective, good governance and best practices and ultimately from a sustainable development point of view, which requires balancing business, social and environmental concerns.

Cross-border securities offerings are characterised by specific and recurring requirements and challenges. The panel will discuss the nature of the requirements and challenges, and how best to deal with them. The panel will seek to offer practical guidance for those involved.