HSF Sponsors the London Conference on International Law

The third biennial London Conference on International Law was held over two days on 17 and 18 October. The Conference brought together around 700 public international law practitioners, academics and judges, as well as government representatives, civil society actors, and others from around the world. Five plenaries and 16 panel sessions covered an array of topics, including international dispute settlement, climate and the environment, investor-State disputes, human rights, the law of armed conflict, energy security, artificial intelligence, the law of the sea, sanctions, and space law.

Herbert Smith Freehills was proud to be a Gold sponsor, having also sponsored the Conference's previous iterations in 2019 and 2022. Global Co-Head of Public International Law Andrew Cannon sits on the Steering Committee for the Conference, and attending on behalf of the firm were Andrew, Christian Leathley, Hannah Ambrose, Louise Barber, Joel Halliday, Maria Dolotova, Arushie Marwah, Cedric Saliba, Dan Kulebiakin and Jefferi Hamzah Sendut. Herbert Smith Freehills delegates also attended the Conference reception and dinner.

Day 1 opened with a conversation with members of the UN International Law Commission, chaired by Sir Michael Wood KC, Barrister, Twenty Essex. This was followed by two sets of parallel panels. The panels covered topics including climate change issues before international courts and tribunals, recent developments in investor-State dispute settlement, responses to armed conflict, and deep seabed mining.

Day 1 closed with a discussion on "Women in International Law" chaired by Sally Langrish, Legal Adviser and Director General Legal of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with Judge Joanne Korner KC, Member, International Criminal Court, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and Professor Dr Phoebe Okowa, EBS, Professor of Public International Law, Member, UN International Law Commission, Queen Mary University of London.  Karim A. A. Khan KC, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, addressed attendees at the Conference dinner that evening.

Day 2 began with a conversation between judges on the international bench, followed by an address on "Public International Law in the UK Supreme Court" from the Rt Hon Lord Lloyd-Jones, Justice of the UK Supreme Court. This was followed by further panel sessions. 

Hannah Ambrose, Partner in the International Arbitration and Public International Law Practice spoke on a panel titled "Activities of Multinational Corporations under International Law". She joined the panel alongside Lorand Bartels, Professor of International Law at the University of Cambridge and Counsel at Freshfields; Anna Kirkpatrick, Director of ESG Risk and Disputes at Clifford Chance; Adrian Roberts, Legal Director (International Trade), Government Legal Department and Olivia Windham Stewart, an Independent Business and Human Rights Specialist. With particular reference to extractive industries, Hannah discussed how the global energy transition is bringing to the fore questions of international law not traditionally navigated by corporates. Hannah examined the increasing focus in international law and policy on ensuring a just transition, manifesting in a proliferation of mining-sector standards, guidance, and contractual frameworks aimed at actualising corporate responsibilities in relation to human rights. The issues discussed raised a variety of thought-provoking questions from the audience.

Other panel sessions covered issues including the contemporary role of the International Court of Justice, how international law is grappling with artificial intelligence and activities in outer space, and the protection of energy security in the current geopolitical landscape. The Conference concluded with a plenary session on "The future of international law", chaired by Sir Daniel Bethlehem KCMG KC, Barrister and Arbitrator, Twenty Essex. Across the Conference, participants considered the challenges facing multilateralism today and explored the role of international law in addressing key issues of concern to States, businesses, and global society at large.

Herbert Smith Freehills exhibited its latest compendium of publications on issues of international law which was very well received by attendees. The Herbert Smith Freehills delegation participated in engaging discussions regarding our Public International Law practice, including in connection with our work in the investment treaty arbitration, business and human rights, and climate change spaces.

For more information, please contact Andrew Cannon, Partner, Christian Leathley, Partner, Hannah Ambrose, Partner, or your usual Herbert Smith Freehills contact.