ILA British Branch – Spring Conference 2026

This, the first conference the UK Branch has hosted in 3 years, will be an excellent opportunity to both investigate the most current and important themes in International Law, covering International Economic Law in the Age of Tariffs, Third Parties in International Litigation and Reinforcement of the prohibition of the use of force and to reconnect with all the ILA British Branch Members. We look forward to seeing you there.

Tickets

Event map

Schedule

June 5th, 2026

9:30am – 9:45am BST
Introductory Remarks

Jeremy Carver CBE, President of the British Branch

9:45am – 11:15am BST
Panel 1: Third Parties in International Litigation

The upsurge in Art 62 and (especially) 63 interventions before the ICJ, and in erga omnes (partes) litigation, the effect of Advisory Opinions on States (which are all "third" parties in AOs between the Court and the requesting body, usually General Assembly, etc.)

Speakers: Eleni Methymaki: Lecturer in International Law, University of Glasgow, Antonia Mulvey: Founder & Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide, Amy Sander KC: Essex Court Chambers & Manuel Casas: Twenty Essex Chambers

11:15am – 11:30am BST
Break
11:30am – 1:00pm BST
Panel 2: International Economic Law in the Age of Tariffs

The effects of tariffs on WTO law, investment law, and expected litigation.

Speakers: Professor Lorand Bartels MBE: University of Cambridge & Chair of the Trade & Agriculture Commission, Adrian Roberts: Legal Director for International Trade, UK Department of Business & Trade & Dr Anna Ventouratou: Lecturer in International Trade Law, University of Sheffield

1:00pm – 2:00pm BST
Lunch
2:00pm – 3:30pm BST
Panel 3: Reinforcement of the prohibition of the use of force

Is the trend of recent years reversible?

Speakers: Professor Marko Milanovic: Professor of Public International Law, University of Reading, Chanaka Wickremasinghe, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office & David Whetham, Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession, King's College London

3:30pm – 4:00pm BST
Break
4:00pm – 5:30pm BST
Panel 4: Concluding Panel

Chair: Lord David Lloyd-Jones PC FLSW: Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Speakers: Professor Christine Chinkin FBA CMG: Founding Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security, London School of Economics, Chair, International Law Association, Sally Langrish: Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office, FCDO & Vaughan Lowe KC: Essex Court Chambers