Sovereign & States Disputes and Enforcement Summit 2025

Networking & Registration
09.00

Chairperson's Opening Remarks
09:20

Keynote Address - Intelligence in Global Relations
09:30

Around the World: Latest Disputes’ Developments From:
10:20

• Africa
• LATAM
• Asia
• Middle East

Networking & Refreshment Break
11:10

Criminal Proceedings and Arbitration Involving Sovereigns
11:40

• Addressing arbitration claims based on criminal allegations
• Managing evidence issues where there are parallel criminal investigations
• Interim injunctions in arbitrations involving States related to criminal proceedings / Interpol notices / extradition applications

Intra-EU investment treaty arbitration – where do we stand? A global review.
12:30

• Updates from key enforcement jurisdictions: England, United States, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland
• Interrelationship with State aid investigations
• Anti-intra-EU arbitration injunctions

Networking & Lunch Break
13:20

Enforcement of Non-Commercial Judgments and Awards
14:20

• Charging Orders against Nigeria
• Domestic US Judgements Against Cuba
• Rights of Companies in Sovereign States Judgements

Networking & Refreshment Break
15:20

Discussing Issues in Adjudicative Immunity
15:50

• The position in relation to ICSID awards: Border Timbers v Zimbabwe
• Mozambique Nyusi Case
• Infrastructure Services v Spain

Whose Entity Is It Anyway? States and State-Owned Entities and Assets
16:40

• RAK Investment Authority v Azima
• Competition to Seize Assets in Recovery
• Auctioning State Assets and PDVSA Delaware

Networking Drinks Reception - Hosted by JS Held & Twenty Essex
17:30

Networking & Registration
09:00

Chairperson's Welcome Back Remarks
09:20

Keynote Address
09:30

Looking to the future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement
10:20

• Status of the UNCITRAL Working Group III Discussions
• The Future of the Energy Charter Treaty
• Investment treaty arbitration from a South-South perspective

Networking & Refreshment Break
11:10

Plundering the State’s Coffers – Recent Successful (and Unsuccessful) Attempts at Enforcement
11:40

• Obtaining Injunctions Against States
• Commercial use exception
• Latest developments in the Congo, Nigeria, Yukos, and PDVSA

Sovereign Arbitrations Arising Out of Russia Ukraine Conflict
12:30

• Update on and issues in cases being brought by:
  • Ukrainian investors against Russia
  • Non-Ukrainian foreign investors against Russia
  • Russian investors against Ukraine
  • Russian investors against other States
• Battle of the anti- and anti-anti-suit injunctions
• Potential hurdles to enforcement

Networking & Lunch Break
13:20

The Other Side: Exploring the State’s Perspective
14:20

• Redistribution of Monies Recovered
• Efforts by States to Recover Embezzled Assets Abroad
• The State as Counterclaimants Abroad

Networking & Refreshment Break
15:20

Monetising Awards and Judgements Involving States
15:50

• Money Issues Regarding Enforcement
• Navigating Bilateral Agreements during Enforcement
• Role of Experts in Monetising Awards

Obtaining Evidence in Sovereign & States Disputes
16:40

• Navigating the Provision of Sensitive State Documents
• Identifying Privileged Information and Material
• Meeting Standards for Evidence Qualification

Chairperson's Closing Remarks
17:30