Now in its second year, the London International Disputes Week (LIDW) provides a forward-thinking forum for discussion of the future of international dispute resolution in London and the rest of the world.
The London International Dispute Week (LIDW) has the purpose of celebrating London as a leading centre for handling the resolution of international disputes, whatever the sector or form of dispute resolution, such as arbitration, litigation and mediation. Its sessions, aimed at both practitioners and academics, offer a unique opportunity to explore the excellencies that London, its judiciaries and professionals have to offer in cross-border and transnational disputes.
Together with other distinguished speakers, Dr Eugenio Vaccari was invited to speak in the panel 'The impact of Brexit: challenges in cross-border restructurings and insolvencies', co-hosted by Reed Smith LLP and Whitersworldwide. The other speakers in the panel included:
- Bobby Friedman (moderator) - Barrister, Wilberforce Chambers;
- Mark Shaw - Partner, Head of Business Restructuring, BDO UK LLP;
- Sinead Harris - Partner, Withersworldwide;
- Patrick Schumann - Counsel, Reed Smith LLP.
The panel was expertly organised and co-ordinated by Patrick and Elizabeth Mason, associate at Reed Smith LLP. The event was attended by a large audience, and it discussed recent developments in the case law (such as the judgment in Virgin Active and Gategroup), as well as regulatory changes (such as the UK government's intention to implement the model laws on insolvency-related judgments and group enterprises, or the EU Commission's recommendation not to support the UK's accession to the Lugano Convention).
At this panel, Dr Vaccari focused on recent developments in Europe and - in answering a question from the audience - in other key jurisdictions around the world, such as Singapore. In his contribution, Dr Vaccari observed that, while competition is becoming increasingly fierce, the expertise of English judges and professionals, recent domestic developments with reference to the English restructuring toolkit, as well as reduced obstacles in establishing the jurisdictional competence in the UK suggest that European and third-country companies will still consider the UK as an attractive forum-shopping venue in cross-border insolvency and restructuring cases.
