From left to right: Wolf von Kumberg, Sarah Ellington, Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Mr Justice Waksman, Andy Rogers, (On Screen: Tat Lim)
Wow — London International Disputes Week 2025 really did fly by.
Over the course of the week, I participated and attended several standout sessions, each reinforcing just how far we’ve come in advancing mediation as a core part of the dispute resolution landscape.
One of the highlights for me was chairing the session hosted by CEDR on ‘Improving Settlement in International Mediation (and avoiding enforcement)’.
It was a privilege to sit alongside Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Wolf von Kumberg, Tat Lim, Sarah Ellington, and Mr Justice Waksman as we discussed the challenges of cross-border settlement and the tricky issue of enforcement. It was both practical and insightful — from designing settlement processes to the essential role of mediator credibility and institutional support.
I shared a story during the session that’s stuck with me over the years. About 15 years ago, I spoke at an in-house conference at a magic circle firm on mediation in Russia and the former Soviet Union. After my talk, a senior partner approached me and openly admitted he didn’t believe mediation worked for his clients from that region. In his view, they came to London to fight, not to talk — and so he wouldn’t even suggest mediation, arguing it wasn’t in their interest or, frankly, his firm’s.
What struck me most was not just the honesty, but the missed opportunity. By not presenting mediation as an option, those clients weren’t being offered the chance to explore a potentially more constructive path. Even when mediation is mandatory, people retain full control — no one’s forced to settle.
While that attitude might have been more common back then, I’d like to believe things have moved on. London now offers a strong environment for settlement, with supportive rules, a growing mediation culture, and an increasing recognition of its value. But there’s still work to do — especially in terms of education and shifting ingrained mindsets.
Another highlight of my LIDW25 experience was an energising session hosted by 39 Essex Chambers on the “Call for a London Dispute Resolution Committee.”
With contributions from CEDR, the CMC and the IMI, and thoughtful insights from Grace Cheng, Joe Tirado, Graham Massie, and Marie Sparkes, the session sparked an interesting discussion on how London can keep its place as a global leader in dispute resolution.
A huge thank you to all my fellow panellists, co-hosts, and everyone at CEDR, including James South, Graham Massie, Susanne Schuler, and all our partners at CMC, IMI, ICSID, 39 Essex Chambers - your insights made this week a great success.
Here’s to keeping the conversation going, and continuing to innovate, lead, and collaborate in the world of dispute resolution.