London Arbitration Week 2025

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a proud supporter of the inaugural London Arbitration Week, taking place 1-5 December 2025. Bringing together leading arbitrators, practitioners and industry experts from around the world, London Arbitration Week has a clear vision to be a premier event in the international arbitration calendar of the highest quality. Based at various convenient and proximate locations in the City of London, it will be at the forefront of thought leadership whilst championing excellence, innovation, and global collaboration.

We are delighted to be hosting three events at our offices as part of the event, further details of which are provided below:

1. Arbitration in the Age of Strategic Conflict: Navigating Sovereignty, Sanctions, and Security

Geopolitical tensions and strategic conflicts are reshaping the arbitration landscape. This session will examine how disputes linked to resource nationalism, critical infrastructure, and armed conflict intersect with pressures on the arbitral process—such as sanctions regimes, enforcement hurdles, and arbitrator challenges. The discussion will also consider strategies for managing politically sensitive disputes in this evolving environment.

Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, Exchange House
Hosts: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Speakers: Hannah Ambrose - Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer), Laurence Franc-Menget - Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer), Eliana Tornese – Registrar (LCIA), Henry Smith – Partner (Control Risks)

More information and registration

2. Central Asia Networking Reception - Building Connections Across Borders

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP and the British-Kazakh Society invite arbitration professionals, investors, and business leaders to an evening of networking and conversation focused on Central Asia.

This informal event will bring together lawyers and non-lawyers alike who have a professional or personal interest in the region. Guests will have an opportunity to meet the HSF Kramer Central Asia team and learn more about the British-Kazakh Society's work in fostering economic, legal, and cultural links between the UK and Kazakhstan.

Join us for drinks, canapes, and engaging discussions on the growing role of Central Asia in international arbitration and cross-border investment.

Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, Exchange House
Hosts: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, British-Kazakh Society

More information and registration

3. Recent Developments in Arbitral Legislation and Caselaw from England, France, Korea, Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland

The UK has just amended the English Arbitration Act of 1996, France is planning to revise its arbitration law, Singapore and China have also planned revisions to their arbitration laws. This conference will discuss the impact of such revisions for international arbitration both for the conduct of arbitration and its enforcement.

Date: Thursday 4 December 2025
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, Exchange House
Hosts: Hainan International Arbitration Court
Speakers: Mike McClure KC – Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer), Alex Fan – President (Hainan International Arbitration Court (HIAC)), Jingzhou Tao – HIAC Board Member, Independent Arbitrator (Arbitration Chambers), Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof – Independent Arbitrator, Professor of Law at Leiden University (Fountain Court Chambers), Robert Volterra – Managing Partner (Volterra Fietta), Alexis Mourre – Managing Partner (MCL Arbitration), Philip Dunham – Partner (Signature Litigation), Robert Pé – Independent Arbitrator (Arbitration Chambers) and John Passmore KC, HIAC Board Member (Quadrant Chambers).

More information and registration

HSF Kramer will also be speaking at the following events:

GAR Live: Women in Arbitration

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a proud sponsor of GAR Live Women in Arbitration. This event brings together the most influential women shaping the future of international arbitration. Expect a day packed with insightful discussions, inspiring perspectives, and meaningful connections with leading practitioners and peers. From arbitrators to in-house counsel, this is your chance to hear fresh perspectives on the sector’s hottest topics, engage in dynamic panel debates, and expand your network with peers who are shaping the future of arbitration. 

Date: Monday 1 December 2025
Time: 9am – 6:30pm
Venue: Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London
Key contacts: Hannah Ambrose – Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer – Speaker); Laurence Franc-Menget – Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer - GAR Live Women in Arbitration Steering Committee Member)

More information and registration

An Ever More Connected Power System, the Links That Has and the Disputes That Can Create

Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Venue: A&M, Park House, 16–18 Finsbury Circus
Hosts: Alvarez & Marsal
Speakers: Louise Barber – Of Counsel (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer)

More information and registration

All in Favour: Say AI!

Date: Tuesday 2 December, 2025
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Parliament Chamber, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL
Hosts: Jus Mundi (London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA))
Speakers: Ilona Logvinova – Global Chief AI Officer (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer)

More information and registration

Arbitration: the Need for Speed – Balancing Efficiency and Due Process

Date: Thursday 4 December, 2025
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Keating Chambers, 15 Essex St, Temple, London WC2R 3AA
Hosts: Secretariat; Keating Chambers
Speakers: Mike McClure KC – Partner (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer)

More information and registration