London sets out its dispute resolution stall at LIDW

Thousands of commercial lawyers from more than 100 jurisdictions converge in London this week for events designed to showcase the capital’s role as forum of choice for international dispute resolution. 

London International Disputes Week was inaugurated in 2019 in the aftermath of Brexit and amid growing international competition from jurisdictions such as Singapore. It opens with a day dedicated to international arbitration and runs to Friday, with a main conference along with professional seminars hosted by leading City firms. Social events include an evening of law firm rock bands organised by charity Law Rocks!

The event follows the announcement of the judiciary’s Strategy for International Engagement 2025-29. 

Tomorrow’s main conference event will be addressed by justice minister Sarah Sackman KC MP, a former practising barrister. Although Sackman’s portfolio includes court reform and civil justice, she is not expected to make any major announcement ahead of next week’s spending review. However she is likely to emphasise the potential of new technology to modernise the dispute resolution process. 

She said: 'I’m proud to speak at London International Disputes Week, to highlight the UK’s world-class legal expertise on the global stage. Our legal sector is a huge part of our economy, and our firms are at the cutting edge – taking advantage of new technologies so the UK can maintain its pole position in the legal world.  

'As markets rapidly change, innovative dispute resolution not only settles disagreements but drives economic growth and transforms industries, which are vital in our fast-evolving world.'

LIDW co-chair Jonathan Cary, a partner at City firm RPC, said: 'Bringing her experience as a practising barrister, former Solicitor General, and now as the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, we look forward to the minister’s insights and reflections on international dispute resolution and the UK’s place at its heart.'

The main conference also features a keynote address from former International Court of Justice president Judge Joan Donoghue. Alongside several high-profile panel sessions, the day includes a fireside chat with James Besley, co-head of legal at Google DeepMind, a ‘View from Business’ given by Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce UK, and a celebration of 200 years of the Law Society of England and Wales with president Richard Atkinson.