London International Disputes Week 2025: Former ICJ President Judge Donoghue to deliver keynote address

London International Disputes Week (LIDW) returns in 2025 with its flagship Main Conference taking place on Tuesday, 3 June at the QEII Centre in Westminster. The event will bring together leading figures from across the global dispute resolution community to discuss this year’s theme: “Innovation in Dispute Resolution: Navigating Global Risks”.

Former Judge and President of the International Court of Justice, Joan Donoghue will deliver a keynote address at the Main Conference.

Judge Donoghue is an arbitrator member of Twenty Essex and public international lawyer as well as being a former Judge and President of the International Court of Justice. She has also had previous roles at the US State Department and in international law education.

Speaking ahead of LIDW25, Judge Donoghue said,

“In today’s increasingly interconnected world, global risks - whether geopolitical, economic, or technological - pose growing challenges for the peaceful settlement of disputes. As practitioners, we must be agile, forward thinking and open to ideas to ensure that the legal mechanisms underpinning dispute resolution remain both effective and responsive. I look forward to exploring these challenges at LIDW25.”

Delegates will also hear from James Besley, Co-Head of Legal at Google DeepMind. With a background in technology law and extensive experience advising on complex legal issues, he has been instrumental in shaping DeepMind’s approach to legal challenges in AI and emerging technologies. He will join Gregory Mostyn, CEO and co-founder of AI disputes solution Wexler, in a fireside chat exploring the intersection of law, technology and dispute resolution.

The ‘view from business’ will be provided by Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, in a stimulating conversation with Poonam Melwani KC, Head of Quadrant Chambers.

Cherie Blair CBE, KC, founder and chair of Omnia Strategy LLP, will be taking part in a morning panel on the geopolitical and economic landscape and its impact on disputes.

As the centrepiece of LIDW25, the full-day Main Conference will feature a lineup of senior members of the judiciary, arbitrators, business leaders, in-house and private practice lawyers, barristers, experts and legal technology specialists. Discussions will address the evolving challenges facing and giving rise to global disputes and explore how the dispute resolution professions and institutions are adapting to an increasingly complex legal and commercial landscape.

Jonathan Cary, LIDW Co-Chair and Partner at RPC said,

"We are proud to unveil this year’s LIDW25 Main Conference agenda, which will bring together a diverse range of speakers to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping global dispute resolution. As innovation and geopolitical shifts continue to redefine the landscape, this year’s conference will foster critical discussions and fresh perspectives from leading experts across jurisdictions and industries."

Panel discussions will cover a range of critical topics, including:

• Geopolitical and economic influences on disputes

• Supply chain disputes and risk mitigation

• Judicial innovation in dispute resolution

• Ethical responsibilities in dispute resolution

• The future of dispute resolution practice

With over 600 delegates expected from around the world, the conference will offer unparalleled networking opportunities and a closing drinks reception.

Get your early bird tickets for LIDW 2025 here.

Follow LIDW’s LinkedIn channel for further updates on the week.