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
Rt. Hon Alex Chalk KC
Former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
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
Krista Lee KC
Barrister, Arbitrator, Keating Chambers
Steve Abraham
Partner, Baker McKenzie
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
Emily Hay
Arbitrator, ArbBoutique
Kim Franklin KC
International Arbitrator, Crown Office Chambers
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?
Tim Rooney
President, Baker & O'Brien
Ahmed Elkordy
Partner, GBSQD
Živa Filipič
International arbitrator and dispute-resolution lawyer, Živa Dispute Resolution
Liam McVeigh
Regional Director France, Quantum Global Solutions
Jamie Harrison
Deputy Director General, London Court of International 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
Sir Rupert Jackson
Arbitrator, 4 New Square Chambers
Lindy Patterson KC
Arbitrator, 39 Essex Chambers
Mike Shanlever
Partner, Alston & Bird
Paul Key KC
Barrister, Essex Court Chambers
Camille Slow KC
Barrister, Atkin Chambers
3:45 PM-4:15 PM
Networking break
4:15 PM-5:15 PM
Building the next decade: infrastructure risk and arbitration
- How might the UK’s 10-year infrastructure strategy and other long-term investment plans influence the construction disputes landscape?
- What opportunities and risks could arise as governments around the world and investors seek to unlock major infrastructure projects?
- Where might the stand-off emerge in the planning, financing and delivery of future infrastructure?
- How can arbitration respond effectively to disputes involving complex projects, public-private interfaces and strategically important infrastructure?
Claire Packman
Barrister, 4 Pump Court
Fabio Solimene
Assistant General Counsel, Honeywell
Manu Thaddikkaran
General Counsel, Company Secretary and Senior Legal Counsel, ADOPT and EDF
Nicholas Gould
Partner, Visiting Professor, Fenwick Elliot, King's College London
Liam Hart
Partner, Reed Smith
5:15 PM-5:25 PM
Chairs’ closing remarks
Anne Véronique Schlaepfer
Partner, White & Case
James Pickavance
Partner, Jones Day
5:25 PM-5:30 PM
GAR closing remarks
5:30 PM-6:30 PM
Networking drinks reception
