October round-up

It has been a very busy couple of months in Chambers, not least due to our involvement with the Future of Technology in Arbitration conference (#FOTA22) which was held in London on the 16th September. Alongside our co-founding sponsors at Opus 2 and ArbTech we put this together as the first ever global conference focussing on the latest technologies that look set to transform the arbitration space. Brandon Malone appeared via live and interactive hologram, and the concept of the metaverse was introduced alongside a glimpse of what the arbitration process might look like in 25 years’ time (think satellite phones and Elon Musk’s Starlink plans). We also looked at drone technology, the increasing use of AI as well as smart contracts, Web3 and Industry 4.0. Mind blown? It’s a lot to take in, but you can now view all the conference videos at your leisure here: https://www.fotaglobal.com/fota-22

Continuing on the subject of international arbitration, the FT has reported on the latest developments in the historic US$ 15 billion arbitration case for the heirs to the Sultan of Sulu against Malaysia, in which Paul Cohen and Elisabeth A. Mason acted as co-counsel alongside Bernado-Cremades Jr. See here for more details: FT Article.

People news

Chambers welcomes back Philippa Seal who returns after maternity leave – Philippa will be back for 3 days a week initially and will be focussing on her extensive residential property and housing practice.

Naveen Agnihotri also returns after 3-year tenure at the Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi and will focus on his wide-ranging commercial practice as well as his specialism in Islamic finance law.

Coming up in October

We have a number of events coming up, including:

Tree law disputes and mediation – on the 7th October Elizabeth Nicholls will be talking about using mediation to resolve tree disputes: ?Tree Law Live

Energy Insurance London on the 14th October – we are sponsoring this event and Rupert Beloff will be talking about government’s plans for massive investment in renewables as a way to jump-start their economies in the wake of Covid-19 and the implications for the energy insurance market of any change of heart as oil and gas moves back into favour as a quicker solution to the current energy crises: Energy Insurance London

UK Adjudicators conference on the 27th October – James Bridgeman SC will be speaking at this conference in London which?brings together lawyers, arbitrators, adjudicators, dispute board members, barristers and expert witnesses to discuss?topical issues in adjudication and arbitration: UK Adjudicators

And finally..

A huge thank you to all our clients, peers and contacts who took the time to provide feedback for the Legal 500 directories. We maintained our Top tier status in Social Housing (London) as well as being ranked in Local Government, Dispute Resolution (Mediators), Elections, Administration and Public Law, Inquests and Inquiries, Planning, Property Litigation and Social Housing in the Regional Bar (Midlands Circuit). There was recognition for 20 individual members across all levels, from Leading Silks, Juniors and Rising Stars, with praise also given to the clerking team at 4-5 who are noted for being “excellent, friendly, approachable” as well as for their ability to supply counsel at short notice. ?You can see the full rankings here. You’ll be please to know that we made a donation to Save the Children as part of the #billablehour campaign?for all our directory related #humblebragging!