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
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer Partner, White & Case
James Pickavance
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
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer Partner, White & Case
Ilke Sahin Goler
Ilke Sahin Goler Partner, Elixa Experts
Thérèse Marie Rodgers
Thérèse Marie Rodgers Partner, Construction Disputes, Forsters
Domini Baldwin
Domini Baldwin Senior Director, Ankura
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
James Pickavance Partner, Jones Day
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?
Ahmed Elkordy
Ahmed Elkordy Partner, GBSQD
Peter Rosher
Peter Rosher Independent Arbitrator, Rosher Arbitration
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
Liam Hart Partner, Reed Smith
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
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer Partner, White & Case
James Pickavance
James Pickavance Partner, Jones Day
5:25 PM-6:30 PM

Networking drinks reception