The DIAC Annual Conference is the Centre’s flagship event, bringing together leading stakeholders from the international arbitration community for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities.
Programme:
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Registration and Networking
9:30 AM – 9:35 AM
Opening Remarks
9:35 AM – 9:50 AM
Keynote Address: Arbitration for Peace
Constantine Partasides KC, Founding Partner, Three Crowns LLP (London)
9:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Panel 1: India-UAE Trade and Investment: Managing Risk and Resolving Disputes
Speakers
Shaneen Parikh, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (Mumbai)
Dr Hassan Arab, Partner, Al Tamimi & Co. (Dubai)
Rashna Mistry, General Counsel, Tata Projects (Mumbai)
Montek Mayal, Partner, Osborne Partners (Mumbai)
Paul Blakeway, Senior Counsel, Horizons & Co. (Dubai)
Moderators
Manish Aggarwal, Partner, Three Crowns LLP (Dubai)
Robert Stephen, Registrar, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (Dubai)
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Refreshments and Networking
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Panel 2: One Dispute, Multiple Forums: Who Controls the Arbitration and Where Can You Collect?
Speakers
Dr Maxim Petchenko, Head of Legal Directorate, Gazprom Export LLC (St Petersburg)
Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Founding Partner, Zulficar Partners (Cairo)
Zoe O’Sullivan KC, Barrister, Serle Court (London)
Julia Zagonek, Founding Partner, Alyff (Dubai)
Boris Telyatnikov, Partner, PCB Byrne LLP (London)
Moderator
Vladimir V Talanov, Partner, EPAM Law (Moscow)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Panel 3: The Decision Taker’s Blind Spot: What Really Shapes a Decision?
Speakers
Justice Arjan Sikri, Independent Arbitrator and Mediator, and Justice, Singapore International Commercial Court (Delhi)
Erin Miller Rankin, Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Dubai)
Sara Koleilat-Aranjo, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (Dubai)
Dr Anamika Vajpeyi, Clinical and Business Psychologist, Openminds (Dubai)
Moderator
Dr Rouven F Bodenheimer, Member, DIAC Arbitration Court and Founding Partner, Bodenheimer (Abu Dhabi)
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Refreshments and Networking
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Keynote Address
Lord Mance, Independent Arbitrator and Mediator, former Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, 7 King’s Bench Walk (London)
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Panel 4: Key Changes Under Proposed 2026 Reforms to the DIFC Arbitration Law and New DIFC Mediation Law
Speakers
HE Chief Justice Wayne Martin, Chief Justice, Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (Perth)
HE Michael Black, Justice, Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (London)
Robert Stephen, Registrar, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (Dubai)
Shane Jury, Partner, Akin (Dubai)
Michael Stewart, Counsel, Akin (Dubai)
Moderator
Graham Lovett, Member, DIAC Arbitration Court and Partner, Akin (Dubai)
5:15 PM – 5:30 PM
Closing Remarks
