Conference programme

This session will address one of the most urgent and globally consequential developments affecting the international legal and business community today: the escalating tensions and potential military confrontation between the United States and Iran, and the profound implications such developments may have on the global energy system, international trade, infrastructure investment and legal risk allocation.

Any large-scale disruption in the Middle East — particularly involving the Strait of Hormuz, global oil and LNG transportation routes, sanctions regimes, or critical energy infrastructure — could trigger significant volatility in global energy markets, accelerate geopolitical fragmentation, reshape investment patterns, and fundamentally alter the trajectory of the global energy transition. These developments would immediately affect cross-border projects, energy security policies, construction and infrastructure financing, force majeure claims, sanctions compliance, maritime security, insurance disputes, sovereign risk allocation, and international arbitration.

Given the unprecedented intersection between geopolitics, energy security, climate transition and international commerce, this panel aims to provide a timely multidisciplinary discussion bringing together lawyers, energy experts and international business leaders. The session will examine not only the immediate legal consequences of a potential energy crisis, but also the possible long-term restructuring of the global energy order, including the accelerated diversification of supply chains, shifts in renewable energy investment, regional energy alliances, and the evolving role of international law in managing systemic global instability.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.

Join us for the annual breakfast of the Family Law Committee.

AI is transforming how corporations approach environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals – from automating carbon accounting and improving supply chain traceability to detecting human rights risks and enhancing reporting accuracy.
 
Yet this promise comes at a price. AI models are energy-intensive, often opaque and may embed social bias or create new accountability gaps. While some organisations use AI to genuinely strengthen ESG performance, others risk engaging in 'AI-washing', leveraging AI narratives without delivering measurable impact.
 
This session will explore how global companies and their legal advisers can balance innovation with responsibility, understanding both the opportunities and the hidden costs of deploying AI within ESG frameworks.

The panel will also discuss the intersection of responsible AI frameworks and ESG regulations across regions and jurisdictions within the context of the ICT sector and the transformative role that the sixth generation of mobile communication systems (6G), which are envisioned as AI-native network systems, are expected to play in the future. In particular, the discussion will consider initiatives such as the European Union’s forthcoming Code of Conduct for Sustainable Telecommunications Networks, the UK Regulatory Outlook on ESG and Telecoms, and other emerging sustainability standards and indicators.

Key discussion points include:

• Where AI genuinely enhances ESG performance, and where it merely serves as “AI-washing.”;
• The environmental footprint of AI (energy, water, and resource use) and its inclusion in ESG metrics;
• Governance and liability: who is responsible for AI-driven ESG decisions and outcomes?;
• The emerging regulatory landscape: from the EU AI Act to global sustainability reporting standards, and how they intersect;
• Practical guidance for lawyers on structuring responsible AI governance within corporate ESG strategies;
• Combining Artificial Intelligence and geographical indications to promote sustainability;
• How can the IP System foster the use of AI in sustainable innovation?;
• IP protection for AI-driven ESG solutions (algorithms, models, data, and outputs);
• Encouraging green innovation through AI while preserving IP rights;
• How IP laws can prevent misleading AI washing and ESG claims;
• How patent systems and IP incentives can promote sustainable AI design and responsible innovation;
• AI in space used for ESG purposes on earth and in space;
• A discussion of how 6G is envisioned as an AI-native network, where AI is embedded as a foundational and pervasive component rather than an auxiliary optimisation tool;
• And an exploration of how, by incorporating AI-driven mechanisms for energy management, resource allocation, and data governance, 6G directly supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives: reducing carbon emissions, promoting digital inclusion, and ensuring transparency and accountability in automated processes

This session explains how AI is used in franchise and distribution operations – demand forecasting, pricing, and customer engagement – and translates the tech into legal issues counsel must spot. We will cover data quality and privacy, bias and transparency controls, human in the loop oversight, IP ownership of AI-generated outputs, vendor and franchise agreement clauses governing model and data use, and emerging regulatory trends. Attendees will leave with practical governance frameworks and risk management checklists.

This session will explore the effect of Artificial Intelligence on social media and the AI revolution on families and children internationally, and the effective safeguards, if any such safeguards actually exist.

This session will explore the impact of trade restrictions on global food security (eg, tariffs, pricing, commodities and protectionism, etc)

The session will analyse the perspectives on current developments in a polarised world for energy, environment, natural resources and infrastructure law.

This panel explores how AI is reshaping legal practice, from automating routine tasks to enabling smarter client services and firm management. A key focus will be on the role of Gen Z professionals, who are not only fluent in emerging technologies but also instrumental in guiding other generations towards meaningful adoption. How will this intergenerational collaboration accelerate transformation? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead as law firms evolve into more agile, tech-enabled environments? Join us for a forward-looking conversation that invites diverse perspectives and open debate.

As more disputes are resolved by private international arbitration, notably post-transaction disputes and in the construction sector, is this trend impacting the quality and availability of relevant jurisprudence and procedural know-how? What effect does this have on predictability, efficacy and judicial expertise, and what solutions are out there?

This session will examine the key developments in private funds, highlighting emerging trends, regulatory changes, and market opportunities. It will provide insights into how fund managers and investors can navigate the evolving landscape and capitalise on growth prospects.

In the annual mock trial session of the Criminal Law Section, we will explore cross-border corruption and international criminal justice cooperation.