LONDON – London International Disputes Week (LIDW) returns in 2025 with its flagship Main Conference taking place on Tuesday 3 June at the QEII Centre in Westminster. The event will bring together leading figures from across the global dispute resolution community to discuss this year’s theme: “Innovation in Dispute Resolution: Navigating Global Risks”, with tickets now on sale at the early bird rate.
Former Judge and President of the International Court of Justice, Joan Donoghue will deliver a keynote address at the Main Conference. Judge Donoghue is an arbitrator member of Twenty Essex and public international lawyer as well as being a former Judge and President of the International Court of Justice. She has also had previous roles at the US State Department and in international law education.
Delegates will also hear from James Besley, Co-Head of Legal at Google DeepMind. With a background in technology law and extensive experience advising on complex legal issues, he has been instrumental in shaping DeepMind’s approach to legal challenges in AI and emerging technologies. He will join Gregory Mostyn, CEO and co-founder of AI disputes solution Wexler, in a fireside chat exploring the intersection of law, technology and dispute resolution.
Speaking ahead of LIDW25, Judge Donoghue said:
“In today’s increasingly interconnected world, global risks – whether geopolitical, economic, or technological – pose growing challenges for the peaceful settlement of disputes. As practitioners, we must be agile, forward thinking and open to ideas to ensure that the legal mechanisms underpinning dispute resolution remain both effective and responsive”.
I look forward to exploring these challenges at LIDW25.”
The ‘view from business’ will be provided by Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, in a stimulating conversation with Poonam Melwani KC, Head of Quadrant Chambers.
Lord Bilimoria CBE DL, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK said:
“Disputes are a fact of life in business. The ability to manage and resolve them, while minimising commercial disruption, is crucial. I am looking forward to sharing insights from my experience, and learning from the other speakers and delegates about the innovative ways the legal community is helping businesses face into these challenges.”
Cherie Blair CBE, KC, founder and chair of Omnia Strategy LLP, who will be taking part in a morning panel on the geopolitical and economic landscape and its impact on disputes said:
“At a time of profound change and uncertainty, with the post-1945 order and the rules-based system that many have long taken for granted now in flux, there is much to reflect on at LIDW this June. I look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with distinguished speakers, friends, and colleagues on how the legal profession is both practically and theoretically addressing the complex global risks we face.”
As the centrepiece of LIDW25, the full-day Main Conference will feature a lineup of senior members of the judiciary, arbitrators, business leaders, in-house and private practice lawyers, barristers, experts and legal technology specialists. Discussions will address the evolving challenges facing and giving rise to global disputes and explore how the dispute resolution professions and institutions are adapting to an increasingly complex legal and commercial landscape.
Jonathan Cary, LIDW Co-Chair and Partner at RPC said:
“We are proud to unveil this year’s LIDW25 Main Conference agenda, which will bring together a diverse range of speakers to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping global dispute resolution. As innovation and geopolitical shifts continue to redefine the landscape, this year’s conference will foster critical discussions and fresh perspectives from leading experts across jurisdictions and industries.”
Panel discussions will cover a range of critical topics, including:
- Geopolitical and economic influences on disputes – A discussion moderated by Campbell Jackson, Global Claims & Disputes Leader at EY, featuring Christopher Adebayo Ojo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria at Bayo Ojo & Co; Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder & Chair of Omnia Strategy LLP; and Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- Supply chain disputes and risk mitigation – Moderated by Jeremy Wilson, Partner & Co-Chair of International Arbitration and Disputes Practice Group at Covington & Burling LLP, with panellists including Mr Justice Henshaw, Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court of England & Wales; Richard Indge, Senior Managing Director at Ankura; Natasha McCarthy, Counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; and Marc Merril, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Uniper SE.
- Judicial innovation in dispute resolution – A session moderated by Stephen Dowling SC, Senior Counsel & CEO of TrialView, featuring Lord Justice Birss LJ, Lord Justice of Appeal and Deputy Head of Civil Justice for England & Wales; The Hon. Wayne Martin AC KC, Chief Justice of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts; and The Rt Hon. the Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, President of the Qatar International Court.
- Ethical responsibilities in dispute resolution – A session on professional ethics featuring James Castello, Arbitrator & Deputy Chairman of the LCIA Board; Hana Abas, Barrister at Cloisters Chambers; Adele Falconer, General Counsel EMEA at Christie’s; and Professor Joan Loughrey, Head of the School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast.
- The future of dispute resolution practice – A panel exploring topics including AI, client expectations, and new business models, moderated by William Peake, Global Managing Partner at Harneys, with speakers including Andrew Austin, Partner & Head of London Dispute Resolution at Freshfields; Natasha Harrison, Founder & Managing Partner at Pallas Partners LLP; Fiona Meany, Global Head of Litigation at JLL; and Lorraine Medcraft, Vice President of Court Reporting Sales at Epiq.
With over 600 delegates expected from around the world, the conference will offer unparalleled networking opportunities and a closing drinks reception. Get your early bird tickets for LIDW 2025 here and follow LIDW’s LinkedIn channel for further updates on the week.
Last year’s LIDW hosted:
- 17,000 in-person attendees
- 4,629 virtual attendees
- Participants from 109 different countries
- 800 international delegates
- 13 different organisation types at the main conference
- 56 different job titles represented
- 339 different organisations attending