Environmental and Human Rights issues in Africa have international implications – know what rights and remedies apply

3 October, 2017

In the first of our regular Africa themed webinars, on Thursday 5 October 2017, 1.00 – 2.00pm BST, we will consider the international implications of environmental and human rights issues in Africa, including:

  • The extraterritorial impacts of a local crisis: international treaty claims and the growing trend of class actions
  • To stay or to go: the risks of exit vs. remaining in-country following a crisis
  • The importance of investment structuring to maximise protection
  • Relying on treaty rights in Africa if things go wrong
  • Preventing and managing crises in Africa

Speakers

John Ogilvie, Partner, Dispute Resolution, London

Andrew Cannon, Partner, International Arbitration, Paris

Laurence Franc-Menget, Of Counsel, International Arbitration, Paris

To register for the webinar, please contact Prudence Heidemans. Continue reading →

Dispute Resolution choices for Finance Parties: A practical look at recent developments affecting dispute resolution options

7 July, 2016

Thursday 14th July 2016, 12.45 – 1.45pm BST

Finance parties are often inclined to revert to favoured dispute resolution choices in their transactions. This default position is largely based on their perception of what offers the greatest flexibility or the lowest risk or both. However, the legal landscape moves fast and there have been a number of recent developments that have challenged the assumptions supporting these default choices. Indeed, with careful drafting, finance parties are in a better position than ever with regard to their choice of forum for resolving disputes. 

In this highly practical webinar our panel will explore a number of recent developments which have a significant impact on dispute resolution choices in finance transactions and affect how those clauses can be structured. The topics our speakers will explore include:

  • the end of the threat of an "Italian torpedo" within the EU?
  • the implications of Brexit for dispute resolution and governing law clauses
  • the potential for a summary judgment style process in arbitration
  • recent changes to the position on unilateral option clauses in transactions related to France
  • alternatives to arbitration in Asia Pacific: the Singapore International Commercial Court

Our speakers will also discuss the issue of "Brexit-proofing" contracts in the context of dispute resolution.

Chair:

Vanessa Naish, Professional Support Consultant, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Speakers:

Nick Peacock, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Adam Johnson, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

What is a webinar?

  • A webinar is an online seminar delivered to your desktop. On the day of the webinar you will be sent a link to login to the live event.
  • The webinar is recorded so you can listen again. If you are unable to listen to the live event, register anyway and you will be able to listen to the recorded version when convenient.
  • Participation in webinars enables you to record 1 hour on your continuing competence personal training record. Further guidance can be found on the attachments tab.
  • Audio is available via your PC. Click here to see if your system supports live audio streaming.
  • The webinar is interactive and we welcome questions from our audience. Email your comments to the speakers on the day using the appropriate tab on the player.
  • Check the attachments tab for a PDF copy of the slides and other relevant material.

… and the benefits to you

  • One off registration – Register once to access any event. This will create your own account on BrightTALK, our webinar service provider. After registering you will gain access to a full programme of relevant events.
  • Easier access to archived webinars – Each practice area channel holds full details of events held during the past year as well as forthcoming webinars.
  • Add events to your calendar – When choosing a webinar there is now an option to add an appointment to your Outlook calendar. You can also manage your email alerts.
  • Keep up-to-date with topics of emerging importance.
  • Hear our experienced speakers from across our global network without leaving your office.

For further information or to register, please contact arbitration.info@hsf.com.

Nicholas Peacock
Nicholas Peacock
Partner
+44 20 7466 2803
Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson
Partner
+44 20 7466 2064
Vanessa Naish
Vanessa Naish
Professional Support Consultant
+44 20 7466 2112

“Planes, paintings and Russian space assets” – Practicalities, challenges, successes and failures in the enforcement of arbitral awards against states and state entities

16 June, 2016

Wednesday 6 July 2016, 12.45 – 1.45pm BST

States are increasingly involved in disputes arising from commercial transactions and arbitrations with investors under various bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.  Resolving a dispute with a state is only the first step – more significant is the ability to enforce the award.

In this webinar, our speakers will draw on recent examples to discuss:

Continue reading →

Webinar: Investing in India – An update on the landscape and challenges for inbound investment

2 September, 2015

Monday 7 September 2015, 12.30 – 1.30pm BST

With the Modi Government well into its second year, we review the economic, political and legal environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) into India. With some still calling for ‘big bang’ reforms to transform the investment landscape, others are hailing perceived incremental changes of policy and practice by a government apparatus still trying to shape itself to majority rule after decades of coalition and compromise.

Meanwhile, the larger Indian economy has continued to grow at more than 7% a year, making India the fastest-growing big economy in the world.

In this webinar, we are joined by Dr Gareth Price, Senior Research Fellow in the Asia Programme at the independent policy institute Chatham House based in London. Dr Price will consider the progress of economic reform in India and what it means for ongoing and future FDI.

He will be joined by Alan Montgomery, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions in the India Practice at Herbert Smith Freehills who will reflect on his ‘on the ground’ experiences of handling investment into India. Also speaking will be Nicholas Peacock, Head of the India International Arbitration Practice at Herbert Smith Freehills who will provide an update on enforcement and rule of law issues for inbound investors, including the challenges of negotiating the Indian court system, international arbitration, and the use of investment treaty protection.

The session will be moderated by Chris Parsons, the Chairman of Herbert Smith Freehills’ India Practice.

The webinar is part of our series of “Soundbite” webinars, which are designed to update clients and contacts on the latest developments without having to leave their desks. The webinars can be accessed “live”, with a facility to send in questions by e-mail, or can be downloaded as podcasts after the event. If you would like to register for a webinar, or to obtain a link to the archived version, please contact Prudence Heidemans. The webinars, both live and archived, also qualify for one CPD point.

Continue reading →

Upcoming webinar: The recast Brussels Regulation: what it means for commercial parties

12 November, 2014

Wednesday 19 November, at 12.45 – 1.45pm GMT

The EU rules governing has jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments will change significantly from 10 January 2015, when the recast Brussels Regulation (No 1215/2012) will apply in place of the current regime.

The webinar will consider the key changes and their impact on commercial parties in practice, including a look at the problems addressed by the new rules and a discussion of where uncertainties remain. In broad outline, the main areas of reform are:

  • clarifying the extent and effect of the exclusion of arbitration from the ambit of the Regulation
  • extending the rules relating to jurisdiction agreements and defusing “torpedo” actions
  • new rules on stays in favour of proceedings in a non-member state
  • extending the rules relating to consumers and employees to apply to non-EU domiciled traders and employers
  • making Member State judgments immediately enforceable across the EU

Speakers:

The webinar is part of our series of “Soundbite” webinars, which are designed to update clients and contacts on the latest developments without having to leave their desks. The webinars can be accessed “live”, with a facility to send in questions by e-mail, or can be downloaded as podcasts after the event. If you would like to register for a webinar, or to obtain a link to the archived version, please contact Prudence Heidemans. The webinars, both live and archived, also qualify for one CPD point.

Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson
Partner
+44 20 7466 2064
Nicholas Peacock
Nicholas Peacock
Partner
+44 20 7466 2803
Anna Pertoldi
Anna Pertoldi
Partner
+44 20 7466 2399

Upcoming webinar: Instability in Iraq and the implications for international energy contracts

26 September, 2014

Tuesday 21 October 2014, London, Dubai, Tokyo

9.30 – 10.30am BST
12.30 – 1.30pm GST
5.30 – 6.30pm JST

As the turmoil in Iraq shows no sign of abating, our panel of expert speakers draw from their own experience in advising clients in the oil and gas sector to consider the implications of this instability on international energy contracts, including:

  • Hydrocarbon legislation in Iraq, including the positions of the Government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq (FGI) in relation to power to legislate and contract for petroleum operations;
  • The legal proceedings launched by the FGI against the KRG and third party purchasers of oil exported by the KRG;
  • The implications of the ICC arbitration initiated by the FGI against Turkey under an Inter-Government Agreement;
  • The impact on international energy contracts of a potential declaration of independence by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; and
  • The implications of export of oil from Iraq by IS (formerly ISIS).

Speakers:

If you would like to register for this event please contact Prudence Heidemans.

Continue reading →

Upcoming Webinar: Sanctions Update: Ukraine and Russia

18 September, 2014

Monday 22 September 2014, 2.00pm – 3.00pm BST

The international sanctions landscape has continued to develop in response to the situation in Ukraine.

On 12 September, the EU and US both published details of expansions to their existing sanctions against Russia, including in relation to the restrictions on certain Russian companies’ ability to access the EU/US capital markets. Both the EU and US have also designated additional individuals and entities under their respective asset freeze regimes.

In this webinar we will provide:

  • An overview of the current sanctions, including the amendments to the EU and US sectoral sanctions
  • An overview of relevant EU institutions and decision-making processes in relation to sanctions
  • An update on any further EU and US developments during the course of this week
  • An opportunity to pose your questions to our expert team.

Speakers:

If you would like to register for this event please click here. We will then send you an email with the event details and confirmation of your log-in address. If you have queries about the webinars or the registration process please contact: Prudence Heidemans, Webinar co-ordinator, London.

Continue reading →

Upcoming Webinar: The LCIA Rules 2014: what you need to know

17 September, 2014
Wednesday 24 September 2014, 12.30 – 1.30 BST

The LCIA Rules 2014 come into effect on 1 October 2014 and apply to any arbitration commenced under the auspices of the LCIA after that date. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration, will join Paula Hodges QC for an interactive webinar, to discuss the key features of the LCIA Rules 2014 and the implications of the changes.

The speakers will discuss the important developments in the LCIA Rules 2014, including those designed to promote efficient conduct by legal representatives and arbitrators, save time and costs, and deal with the growing complexity and diversity of disputes, as well as looking at the new Emergency Arbitrator process.

The speakers will also consider the implications of the changes to the LCIA Rules 2014 on drafting LCIA arbitration clauses and LCIA proceedings, before dealing with questions.

Speakers:

  • Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration
  • Paula Hodges QC, Head of Global Arbitration Practice, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

If you would like to register for this event please click here.   For further information about our webinars or the registration process please contact Prudence Heidemans.

Continue reading →

Cutting through the politics of the Scottish Independence Referendum: The International Law Implications of Independence

17 June, 2014

Monday 14 July 2014, 12.30 – 1.30pm BST

The Scottish Independence Referendum is set to take place on 18 September 2014. The “Yes” and “No” campaigns hold highly divergent positions on certain key issues, including EU membership and ownership of oil and gas reserves.

So what is the law behind the politics? What are the legal ramifications of an independent Scotland from an international law perspective?

In this webinar our speakers will cut through the politics and look at the international law underlying some of the questions raised in the referendum, including:

  • How would Scotland’s maritime boundaries be drawn in the event of independence and how does that impact oil and gas reserves in the North Sea?
  • Would Scotland automatically be bound by, and benefit from, the UK’s international treaties after independence, and would the remaining UK’s international law rights and obligations be affected?
  • What impact would independence have on oil and gas sector regulation? and
  • How can Scotland negotiate continued membership of the EU and what are the implications?

Speakers:

  • Matthew Weiniger QC, Partner, International Arbitration and Public International Law
  • Dominic Roughton, Partner, International Arbitration and Public International Law
  • Stephen Murray, Partner, Global Head of Oil and Gas
  • Andrew Cannon, Partner, International Arbitration and Public International Law
  • Iain Maxwell, Of Counsel, International Arbitration and Public International Law

If you would like to register for this event please contact Prudence Heidemans.

Continue reading →

Upcoming Webinar: Investment Treaties and the African Continent – Change, Risk and Opportunity

25 February, 2014

Tuesday 8 April 2014, 12.30 – 1.30pm BST

Drawing together the two strands of our recent webinars on Investment Treaty Arbitration and arbitration in the EMEA regions, this webinar will focus on Investment Treaties and the African continent.

Africa is brimming with an abundance of natural resources, talent and ambition. Investment into African jurisdictions is becoming increasingly desirable and competitive, with investors hailing from all over the developed and developing worlds.

In this webinar, our speakers will draw from their knowledge and experience to discuss the differing approaches adopted by African jurisdictions towards Investment Treaties and the continent’s history in terms of Investor-State disputes. The speakers will look at sources of foreign direct investment into Africa (such as China) and the impact this has had on the Investment Treaty landscape. Our speakers will then turn to consider the likely approaches to be adopted by African jurisdictions in future, and the risks and opportunities these present to our clients in the context of an increasingly transparent investor-state dispute settlement system.

Speakers:

Chaired by:

  • Hannah Ambrose, Arbitration Practice Manager, London

If you would like to register for this event please contact Prudence Heidemans.

A webinar is an online seminar delivered to your desktop. On the day of the webinar you will be sent a link to login to the live event.

The webinar is recorded so you can listen again. If you are unable to listen to the live event register anyway and you will be able to listen to the recorded version when convenient.

The webinar is interactive and we welcome questions from our audience. Email your comments to the speakers on the day using the appropriate tab on the player.