London Summer Arbitration School 2025
The London Summer Arbitration School will take place on 16-20 June 2025.
If you are interested in participating in the 2025 London Summer Arbitration School, please complete this application form by 31 March 2025.
The provisional 2025 programme is available here.
London is one of the world’s leading arbitration hubs, with parties from all over the world choosing the city as the place for their arbitration, often governed by English law. English law remains the most popular applicable law, not only in London-based arbitrations but also globally. Over five thousand law firms are based in London, and many have offices all over the world.
While many are aware of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), fewer practitioners know about more specialised areas of international arbitration Building on the success of the Basel Winter Arbitration School, the London Summer Arbitration School will feature an interactive five-day programme introducing participants not only to commercial arbitration but also to less well-known types of arbitration such as maritime, construction and commodities arbitration. The participants will also engage in discussion of related career and business development opportunities with practitioners and representatives of arbitral institutions.
The summer school programme will also include professional networking and social activities such as the Legal London Guided Tour (the Inns of Court, the Royal Courts of Justice, the Law Society and other law-related places).
The summer school is a part of the Diploma in International Arbitration programme.
Key features
Young practitioners and graduate students working in the field of dispute resolution will particularly benefit from this programme. However, more established practioners may also appreciate a thorough introduction into less known types of arbitration and related practice development opportunities.
Representatives of arbitral institutions, international organisations, top practitioners and scholars will conduct an intensive 5-day programme, which will cover, in addition to other topics:
- institutional and ad hoc arbitration
- jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals
- maritime arbitration
- construction arbitration
- commodities arbitration
- commercial arbitration
- banking & finance arbitration
- arbitration in the digital economy (AI, automated contracting, crypto assets)
- public international law issues in arbitration
- outer space arbitration
- investor-state arbitration
- relationship between arbitral tribunals and domestic courts.
Key benefits of participation
All classes will be taught by the Arbitration Lab faculty consisting of top experts in the area of international arbitration. Learning at the Summer School will involve:
- acquiring theoretical and practical arbitration skills in various fields
- gaining knowledge on key transversal topics
- networking opportunities with top academics, practitioners and international civil servants
- better understanding of various career paths in international arbitration (see also Careers in International Arbitration online course)
- exposure to novel teaching methods and a collection of teaching materials
- a certificate of completion.
Venue
Many of the world’s major banks and law firms are headquartered in London, and law firms from the United Stated often use London as a gateway to their practice in Europe. The law of England and Wales remains the most frequently chosen law applicable to contracts not only in Europe but in Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. English remains the most common language of business communication today with many contracts drafted in English and arbitral proceedings conducted in English. This is why some call London both the financial and the legal capital of Europe.
The English justice system based on common law has centuries of tradition behind it and shaped many other legal systems of the world. London is renowned for the quality and impartiality of its judges. That makes London a frequently chosen seat of arbitration for many international disputes. In addition, London is home to the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the London Maritime Arbitration Association (LMAA), various arbitral institutions dealing with commodities arbitration such as the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA).
London remains Europe’s most visited city by tourists. Some of the city’s best museums, including the British Museum, the Tate Modern and the Museum of London are within a short walk from the summer school’s location. The shopping temptations of the Oxford Street and the bars of Soho are also a stone’s throw away. The participants will benefit from a bespoke Legal London Walk, taking them to the Inns of Court, the Royal Court of Justice and the Old Bailey.
Programme and application procedure
The programme of the 2025 summer school is available here: London Summer Arbitration School Programme.
Apply Online
If you are interested in participating in the 2025 London Summer Arbitration School, please complete this application form. The deadline is 31 March 2025. Please note that the number of places is limited, and we recommend applying early.
Tuition fee (incl. VAT)
General fee: £1,489 (In-person), £889 (Online)
Reduced rate (full-time academics, university students, public officials and officials of intergovernmental organisations*): £989 (In-person), £569 (Online)
*For staff and students of the University of Basel special rates apply for online participation; the special rates are indicated in the Course Directory (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) of the University of Basel. The special rates do not apply for in-person participation. For more detailed information, please check the Course Directory (Vorlesungsverzeichnis).
The in-person fee covers all course materials, sessions, and refreshments, tea/coffee, excursions, opening and closing keynotes and receptions.
Arbitration Lab expects that those who apply will be able to cover the costs of their participation (including travel, accommodation and other costs of in-person participation). Unfortunately, we cannot offer financial assistance.
For groups of 4 participants and more, we are happy to offer a discount. Please email info@arbitrationlab.com to discuss.
Sponsorship opportunities
Arbitration Lab welcomes expressions of interest in the summer arbitration school from potential corporate sponsors. Typically, 2-3 leading arbitration law firms sponsor Arbitration Lab schools. Sponsorship benefits include speaking slots and free places for participants, the promotion of the firm and its logo on marketing materials, social media and other benefits. Sponsorship also helps to enable the participation of those who otherwise would be unable to attend.
For additional sponsorship information, please see this brochure and contact info@arbitrationlab.com.
Further information
With any questions, please email info@arbitrationlab.com. You may also want to follow the Arbitration Lab on LinkedIn and other social networks.