This 1st Annual IFILA Conference will explore how international arbitration navigates the ups and downs in today's volatile geo-political and geo-economic times.

The event will take place at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's London office. Further details of the conference are below, and tickets can be purchased here.

8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
Registration and buffet breakfast sponsored by Control Risks

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome address by Dr. José Ángel Rueda García (Chairman Executive Board)

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM
Welcome address by Andrew Cannon (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer)

9:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Keynote: Investment arbitration: Too little or too much law? 
Sir Christopher Vajda KC
Followed by a Q&A with Louise Barber (Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer) and Dr. José Ángel Rueda García (Cuatrecasas)

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Coffee break sponsored by Kobre & Kim

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Panel 1 Reflections from North America and LATAM
Paul M. Levine (BakerHostetler), Timothy G. Nelson (Skadden), Andrew Stafford KC (Kobre & Kim), Ankita Ritwik (Gibson Dunn)
Moderator: Jillian E. Timko (BakerHostetler)

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Lunch break sponsored by BakerHostetler

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Panel 2 Reflections from the Global South
Luke Tucker Harrison (Keidan Harrison), Laura Alakija FCIArb (Detail Dispute Lawyers), Duncan Bagshaw KC (Norton Rose Fulbright), Sorana Parvulescu (Control Risks)
Moderator: Saadia Bhatty (Gide)

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Coffee break sponsored by Wordstone

4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Panel 3 Reflections from Europe
Prof. Remme Verkerk (Houthoff), Raphaelle Legru (Wordstone), Conway Blake (Debevoise & Plimpton), Noel Matthews (FTI Consulting)
Moderator: Prof. Gerard Meijer (Linklaters)

5:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Prize for the most downloaded article of the European Investment Law and Arbitration Review in 2025

5:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Closing by Prof. Nikos Lavranos (SG of IFILA)

5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
Drinks sponsored by Keidan Harrison

About IFILA

The International Federation for Investment Law and Arbitration (IFILA) has launched in 2026 as the successor of the European Federation for Investment Law (EFILA). EFILA was established in 2015 as a Brussels-based thinktank that seeks to promote knowledge of all aspects of EU and international investment law, including arbitration. The organisation tracks and analyses the scope and use of investment arbitration, and endeavours to foster objective debate about the current system of investment arbitration. IFILA seeks to expand the activities of EFILA on an international level.

IFILA’s Executive Board includes Andrew Cannon, Global Co-Head of the International Arbitration and Public International Law practices at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP.


Key contacts

Andrew Cannon photo

Andrew Cannon

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, London and Paris

Christian Leathley photo

Christian Leathley

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, US, London and New York

Louise Barber photo

Louise Barber

Of Counsel (Australia), London

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International arbitration Andrew Cannon Christian Leathley Hannah Ambrose Louise Barber