Conference programme

Mega-projects, state-owned entities, and risk allocation in a volatile world
Major infrastructure projects—smart cities, ports, rail and other large-scale developments—often involve states and state-owned entities contracting with private investors and contractors. When conditions shift (inflation, supply-chain disruption, sanctions and related geopolitical shocks), risk allocation provisions and multi-tier dispute mechanisms are quickly stress-tested. This panel will explore how parties and tribunals are approaching these disputes, including mediation, sovereign immunity, and enforcement issues, and strategies to manage parallel proceedings before domestic courts and arbitral tribunals.

This Oxford Union-style debate will consider two motions, with one panelist defending the motion and the other rebutting it.

The first motion will be: ‘This house believes that counsel may use generative AI to draft submissions without mandatory disclosure to the tribunal.’

The second motion will be: ‘This house believes that states should not incur international responsibility for regulatory measures adopted in good faith to meet their climate and ESG commitments, even when these measures significantly affect existing investments.’