Dispute Resolution in an Uncertain World | 5 Reasons Why Members of The Bar should attend Dublin International Disputes Week (DIDW)

By Paul McGarry SC, Cathy Smith SC, Declan Harmon BL and Sean O’Sullivan BL, members of the DIDW 2024 Steering Committee.

Reason 1: Review and redefine your practice approach. While our work can focus on a singular area of law, our environment is ever-changing and multifaceted, requiring frequent reflection of our work.

As members of the Bar of Ireland, we are often almost singularly focused on a particular area of law. And rightly so. When we are working on a significant case, those we advocate for deserve our complete focus. But of course, like any professionals, we operate in the wider world, and with that in mind we’re encouraging our Law Library colleagues to participate in the upcoming Dublin International Disputes Week (DIDW), which takes place from Monday 30th September – Thursday 3rd October, with the main two-day conference happening at the Printworks in Dublin Castle on Tuesday and Wednesday 1st and 2nd.

Reason 2: You will hear from renowned leaders in the arbitration field and have the opportunity to strengthen your global network.

We’re very excited with the line-up this year, and have secured the participation of internationally renowned speakers, including Kathaleen McCormick, the Chancellor of the Court of Chancery in Delaware. The Chancellor made headlines earlier this year when she rescinded Elon Musk’s record 56-billion-dollar compensation from Tesla, so will be fascinating to listen to. She will participate in the Judicial Panel but will also be part of a conversation on shareholder activism with the President of Ireland’s High Court, Justice David Barniville. Chancellor McCormick hosted the Ireland for Law delegation that visited Delaware in May of this year, so this is a further opportunity for our profession to build strong international links with our US colleagues. 

Reason 3: You’ll have the opportunity to explore more about the unknown but important issue of Artificial Intelligence.

We have secured the participation of Bridget Mary McCormack, President and CEO of the American Arbitration Association and President of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. A former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, among her passions is the responsible and appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence by members of the legal profession, a very topical issue and something we all need to be mindful of.  

Reason 4: The need to focus on and address democratic instability in an uncertain world.

The overall theme for the week is ‘Disputes Resolution in an Uncertain World’. We decided to focus on this theme due to increasing global instability when it comes to democratic norms. With the rise of polarisation, misinformation and disinformation, and a growing lack of trust in democracy, we as legal practitioners need to be mindful of this environment. Often our work crosses international borders, and a broad lens on how the world is operating in terms of democracy remains vital. 

To kick off the two-day main conference at Dublin Castle, we will have an opening address from Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, a barrister who specialises in human rights and civil liberties. Her address will be directly followed by a panel discussion on the future of democracy in an uncertain world. The discussion will be moderated by entrepreneur and journalist Aine Kerr, and will feature former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, commentator and law lecturer Larry Donnelly, Tim Dixon, founder of ‘More in Common’, which examines polarisation internationally, and former Scottish Minister for Communities Margaret Curran, who now works around the world with emerging democracies. 

During the two days at Dublin Castle, we have a stellar line up of speakers on a wider range of topics, including Arbitration, Artificial Intelligence, and the ESG agenda and we have a prestigious panel of judges from Ireland, France, the USA and UK who will speak about the increasing level of international judicial cooperation, something that is a ballast in today’s uncertain world. Across the main conference and side events, more than a dozen of our own colleagues from the Law Library will also share their expertise. 

Reason 5: Our own members’ contributions and presentations. Their participation underscores the vital role of Irish-based counsel in providing expert advocacy and advisory services to a global audience, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as a leader in international dispute resolution.

We encourage all our colleagues to register their attendance today and join us for what promises to be an important and exciting week in Ireland’s legal calendar.

Event Details

• What: Dublin International Disputes Week (DIDW)
• When: Monday 30th September – Thursday 3rd October
• Where: Opening session will occur in Bank of Ireland (House of Lords), 2 College Green, Dublin 2 with the main 2-day conference happening in Printworks, Dublin Castle

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Speakers Include:

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Paul McGarry SC, and Cathy Smith SC, Declan Harmon BL, Sean O’Sullivan BL, are members of the DIDW 2024 Steering Committee. 

To register for DIDW events, please visit www.didw.ie There are options to attend the full programme or individual events including the main conference, opening reception at the House of Lords on College Green and the conference dinner at the College Green (formerly Westin) Hotel. There is also an exciting line up of side events over the week at several locations across Dublin City.

Dublin International Disputes Week is a forum for international practitioners and general counsel, providing access to thought leaders and prominent international practitioners specialising in litigating complex, cross-border disputes. Part of the Government of Ireland’s Ireland for Law initiative, the week will feature a range of events, including a two-day conference, seminars and social events showcasing local Irish and international expertise.