Agenda

8.15am – 9.00am Registration 

9.00am – 9.10am Opening Remarks

9.10am – 10.00am When litigation is stranger than fiction and even your partner tolerates you reading out the best bits from the daily transcript – Kallakis v. AIB Group [2023] EWHC 2148

The panel will explore some of the lessons learned and the issues (and anecdotes) arising from their recent successful defence of a £ half billion claim brought against a bank by the star of Netflix’ “serial swindlers”. How do you win a case with elements of comedy that is actually deadly serious and full of jeopardy, arising out of a major public scandal?

Our panellists – the team that represented the bank in a five week Commercial Court trial – will delve into some of the key legal and practical issues arising from this fascinating case.

  • Neil Kitchener KC, barrister (King’s Counsel), One Essex Court
  • Vanessa Whitman, partner, CMS
  • Sandy Phipps, barrister, One Essex Court
  • James Fox, barrister, One Essex Court

10.00am – 10.50am How to deal with major commercial disputes: tips from in-house counsel

Commercial litigation requires time, money and efforts from both the teams in the company and outside Counsel. Depending on the jurisdiction, the burden of such litigation can be significant. Our panel of three in-house lawyers of international companies will discuss how and when it is best to find an amicable solution and provide practical tips on how in-house Counsel address outside Counsel selection, budget, reporting to the board, use of AI and other automated solutions, etc.
  • Sylvie Gallage-Alwis, partner, Signature Litigation (Paris)
  • Kevin L’Heveder, associate GC EMEA, Vertiv (Paris)
  • Hicham Khellafi, general counsel EMEA, Honeywell (London)
  • Brittany F. Boykin, in-house counsel – head of claims & underwriting legal & regulatory, Brit Insurance (London)

10.50am – 11.20am Coffee Break 

11.20am – 12.10pm Ethics in litigation and internal investigations

Ethics underpins every aspect of contentious work and legal work more broadly and therefore it is of fundamental importance to understand it and get it right. How can lawyers best navigate the sometimes complex areas of disclosure and privilege, whilst acting both in the best interests of their clients and in accordance with the high standards of ethics and professionalism that society and our regulatory body expect and require of us? This panel will also explore how to act in accordance with the Mindful Business Charter.

  • Ben Ko, senior associate, dispute resolution, Baker McKenzie
  • Francesca Richmond, partner in dispute resolution, Baker McKenzie

12.10pm – 12.50pm Do the Existing Practice Directions Support Adoption of GenAI

Join us for a panel discussion on the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) tools in commercial litigation. Our expert panel will explore the use of GenAI for tasks such as enhancing evidence analysis, summarizing key documents, drafting timelines, disclosure document review, and formulating litigation strategies. The discussion will focus on whether existing practice direction support the use of these advanced technologies or if a further evolution is necessary – to either the guidelines or the technology.

  • Tom Whittaker, director and senior disputes & litigation lawyer, Burges Salmon
  • Richard Jeens, partner, Slaughter & May
  • Charlotte Hill, partner, Pennington Manches Cooper
  • Meagan Sauve, legal tech solutions consultant, OpenText

12.50pm – 2.00pm Lunch 

2.00pm – 2.50pm Live episode of the Legal 500 Podcast: Alexander Gunning KC and what the commercial Bar can do for in-house and private practice

Join us for a panel discussion on the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) tools in commercial litigation. Our expert panel will explore the use of GenAI for tasks such as enhancing evidence analysis, summarizing key documents, drafting timelines, disclosure document review, and formulating litigation strategies. The discussion will focus on whether existing practice directives support the use of these advanced technologies or if a further evolution is necessary – to either the guidelines or the technology.

  • Will Tolcher, global bar editor, Legal 500
  • Alex Gunning KC, chair, Combar

2.50pm – 3.30pm The increasing importance of reputation management in litigation

3.30pm – 3.35pm Closing Remarks

3.35pm – 4.30pm Drinks and canapes