Join us for a five‑day programme designed for students, graduates, and early‑career professionals eager to explore one of the most dynamic and globally relevant fields of legal practice. Throughout the week, you’ll explore the core principles of international commercial and investment arbitration and engage with the latest developments shaping the future of international dispute resolution.
Building on the success of the Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration 2025, which attracted participants from across the world and featured leading practitioners and academics in the field, Brunel Law School is pleased to announce the next edition of this intensive international summer programme.
Hosted at Brunel, the programme combines academic excellence with practical perspectives, bringing together Brunel Law School academics and distinguished guest speakers from the international arbitration community. In addition to foundational topics, participants will also examine emerging issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on arbitration, as well as specialised areas of the field such as sports arbitration. Selected sessions will also be delivered on the premises of leading London arbitration law firms, providing participants with first-hand insight into the professional environments where international arbitration is practised.
Beyond the classroom, the programme provides a valuable opportunity to network with peers and practitioners from different jurisdictions, fostering international connections within the global arbitration community. It is particularly well suited for those considering careers in international arbitration, commercial law, or dispute resolution in general, as well as professionals seeking to expand their expertise in this rapidly evolving field.
Places on the programme are limited, ensuring an engaging and interactive learning environment. Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance from Brunel Law School.
Register here Please note, the number of available places in the programme is limited. Upon completion of the programme, you'll receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Course date: 7-11 September 2026
Fees: Brunel Law School students / alumni: £499 | Non-Brunel Law School students: £599 | Professionals: £999 | Participants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low-Income Countries (non‑LDCs), and Lower Middle-Income Countries (non‑LDCs): Students: £499 | Professionals: £899
Course programme
Day 1 - 7 September
9.30am Welcome Address - Prof. Jurgita Malinauskaite (Head of Brunel Law School)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
9.40am Orientation Session - Dr Filip Balcerzak (Lecturer in Law; Brunel Law School), Dr Boris Praštalo (Lecturer in Commercial Law; Brunel Law School)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
10am International Commercial Arbitration: The Lifecycle - Shobana Iyer (Barrister; Swan Chambers and Honorary Professor; Brunel Law School)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
12pm Agreement to Arbitrate - Hasit Seth (Independent Arbitrator; HLaw, Chambers of Hasit Seth)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
3pm Applicable Law(s) and Rule(s) in International Commercial Arbitration - Prof. Emilia Onyema (SOAS University of London)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
Day 2 - 8 September
10am Global Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards - Alex Hough (Associate; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom)
Venue: Pinna Goldberg / Lincoln's Inn
12pm Sanctions in the Realm of International Commercial Arbitration - Konstantin Ksenofontov (Counsel; Pinna Goldberg)
Venue: Pinna Goldberg / Lincoln's Inn
3.00pm Introduction to the LCIA and the LCIA Rule - Veronika Pavlovskaya (Counsel; LCIA) and Abdallah Hosny (Junior Counsel; LCIA)
Venue: London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
5.00pm Constituting an Arbitral Tribunal: Practical and Theoretical Insights - Tim Smyth (Partner; BSF)
Venue: Boies Schiller Flexner (BSF)
Day 3 - 9 September
10am TBD
Venue: Macfarlanes
12pm Sports Arbitration in Practice: From the Court of Arbitration for Sport to Basketball Dispute Resolution - Dr Velimir Živković (Assoc. Professor; University of Warwick)
Venue: Macfarlanes
4.00pm Arbitration and Evidence: Evaluating the Practical Impact of the 2020 IBA Guidelines on Taking Evidence - Shouvik Bhattacharya (Counsel; King & Spalding)
Venue: King & Spalding
6pm Keynote Lecture: The Role and Impact of CIArb Soft Law Instruments with a Special Focus on the Ciarb AI Guideline - Dr Cesar Pereira (President; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb))
Venue: King & Spalding
Day 4 - 10 September
10am Advocacy Skills (Written) - Ania Farren (Partner; BCLP) and Siobhan Abraham (Senior Associate; BCLP)
Venue: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)
12pm Introduction to Investment Arbitration - Mahnaz Malik (Barrister; Twenty Essex)
Venue: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)
3.00pm Advocacy Skills (Oral) - Tsegaye Laurendeau (Partner; Signature Litigation)
Venue: Signature Litigation
5.00pm The Role of International Law in Arbitration - Sir Christopher Stephen Vajda KC (Barrister; Monckton Chambers)
Venue: Signature Litigation
Day 5 - 11 September
9.30am Fair and Equitable Treatment and Beyond: Substantive Protections in Investment Arbitration - Khrystyna Kostiushko (Visiting Lecturer; King’s College London & Of Counsel; MORIS)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
11.30am ISDS Reform: Where Are We Now and What the Future Holds - Fahira Brodlija (Legal Advisor; GIZ)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
2pm International Arbitration Practice in the Global South: Challenges and Opportunities from Indian and Southeast Asian Perspectives - Dr Wasiq A. Dar (Associate Professor; O.P. Jindal Global University)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
4.15pm Closing Remarks and Certificate Ceremony Award - Prof. Joshua Castellino (Executive Dean; College of Arts, Law & Social Sciences)
Venue: Brunel Law School, Moot Court
We reserve the right to make changes to the summer school programme at any time, including before and during its duration. While every effort will be made to deliver the programme as advertised, adjustments may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances or to enhance the learning experience.
"Fantastic program. Rich content. Well organised and expertly executed. The sessions in the leading London law firms presented a great opportunity to interface with highly distinguished arbitration practitioners and discuss practical approaches to arbitration, while experiencing the best of their environments and the city. I made valuable and lasting professional contacts. Above all, the program is well priced and great value for money. Highly recommended. Thank you Filip Balcerzak, Boris Prastalo and Jurgita Malinauskaite for a highly educative program." Susan Mutangadura FCIArb, ArbP
Brunel Law School also gratefully acknowledges the support of the following law firms, all of which will host sessions as part of the Summer Programme on International Arbitration:
Brunel Law School is deeply grateful for the valued support of our media partner, TDM/OGEMID, as well as the generous backing of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
The summer programme is organised by the co-directors of the International Dispute Resolution Research Group at Brunel University of London, Dr Boris Praštalo, Lecturer in Commercial Law, and Dr Filip Balcerzak, Lecturer in Law.
For further information about the programme, please contact:
Dr Boris Praštalo Boris.Prastalo@brunel.ac.uk
Dr Filip Balcerzak Filip.Balcerzak@brunel.ac.uk