Agenda
Interested in speaking? Contact Olivia Nardell at Olivia.Nardell@LBResearch.com.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
9:00 AM-9:30 AM
Registration and networking
9:30 AM-9:35 AM
GAR welcome remarks
9:35 AM-9:45 AM
Chairs’ welcome remarks
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Partner, White & Case
James Pickavance
Partner, Jones Day
9:45 AM-10:15 AM
Keynote address
10:15 AM-11:15 AM
A world in flux: construction disputes in an unstable and changing world
- How is force majeure risk and geopolitical disruption reshaping construction disputes?
- The impacts of unforeseen disruption, supply chain pressure and market instability on construction arbitration
- How current geopolitical conflicts are differing from the pandemic and what lessons can parties draw from past geopolitical disruption?
- How are parties responding to evolving risk in commercial disputes?
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Partner, White & Case
Domini Baldwin
Senior Director, Ankura
Thérèse Marie Rodgers
Partner, Construction Disputes, Forsters
Ilke Sahin Goler
Partner, Elixa Experts
11:15 AM-11:45 AM
Networking break
11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Holding the line: dispute boards and early intervention
- How are statutory and contractual adjudication frameworks evolving across jurisdictions and forums?
- Which projects are best suited to adjudication, and what does European practice reveal about the effectiveness of adjudication and dispute boards?
- Are dispute boards resolving disputes or delaying them?
- How is AI influencing adjudication strategy, evidence and procedure?
James Pickavance
Partner, Jones Day
Patrick Baeten
Secretary General, BESIX Group
Theresa Mohammed
Partner, Watson Farley & Williams LLP
12:45 PM-1:45 PM
Networking lunch
1:45 PM-2:45 PM
Mission impossible? Streamlining construction arbitration
- Is current arbitral practice in construction disputes proportionate and efficient?
- Are current delay analysis methods fit for purpose?
- Are quantum issues being assessed effectively?
- How can tribunals, counsel and experts improve efficiency, clarity and case management?
Charles J. Hirst
Executive Vice President, Baker & O'Brien
Ahmed Elkordy
Partner, GBSQD
Peter Rosher
Independent Arbitrator, Rosher Arbitration
Andrew Woodward
Corporate Technical Director, Quantum Global Solutions
2:45 PM-3:45 PM
GAR Live: Question Time
In this question time session, attendees will examine the gap between expectations and reality in construction arbitration
Liam Hart
Partner, Reed Smith
Lindy Patterson KC
Arbitrator, 39 Essex Chambers
3:45 PM-4:15 PM
Networking break
4:15 PM-5:15 PM
Bonds, when financial pressure paves the ground to disputes
- The role of performance bonds and guarantees on large projects
- How practitioners use performance bonds and guarantee to shape project risk allocation and dispute strategy
- Mitigating bond and guarantee risk through early intervention
- Navigating bond disputes amid commercial pressures, financing constraints and sanctions
5:15 PM-5:25 PM
Chairs’ closing remarks
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Partner, White & Case
James Pickavance
Partner, Jones Day
5:25 PM-6:30 PM
Networking drinks reception
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