Autumn / Winter Lecture Series 2025/6

9th October 2025 @ 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Various

The LSLA is delighted to announce details of our autumn / winter lectures, which will consist of talks and panel discussions with eminent practitioners on topical subjects of legal interest.

Each lecture will begin at 6 p.m., and will last approximately one hour, which will include an opportunity for questions.  The lectures will be followed by an opportunity for drinks and networking.  Materials and, if practicable, a video recording will appear on the LSLA website after the event.                                                           

We are grateful to the following firms for hosting these lectures:      

Hogan Lovells International LLP, Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EG


Series Programme

 

Thursday 9 October at Hogan Lovells International LLP

 

The future of the Competition Appeal Tribunal

Mrs Justice Bacon

 

From a relatively recent beginning, the Competition Appeal Tribunal has become a core feature of the London litigation landscape. Mrs Justice Bacon has been a key figure in the development of the CAT, and in May was named as its President.  She will be presenting her views on the development of the CAT, and looking forward to issues with which the CAT will be grappling in the coming years as well as taking questions from court users.

 

Wednesday 26 November 2025, at Hogan Lovells International LLP 

 

Directors' Duties: What has changed in light of recent Supreme Court authorities?

Edmund Nourse KC of One Essex Court

 

Directors' duties are of relevance to almost all forms of corporate litigation, and of course go to the heart of directors' liability claims, unfair prejudice petitions and many joint venture disputes.  No fewer than three Supreme Court decisions have addressed the duties of directors in recent years (BTI v SequanaRukhadze v Recovery Partners and Hopcraft v Close Brothers).  Our speaker will bring attendees up to date with the latest state of the law, and give his own views on how this may affect the conduct of litigation as a result.

 

Wednesday 14 January, at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP 

 

When arbitration goes to Court: reform, recent developments, and strategic issues in the English Court's supervisory jurisdiction

Peter de Verneuil Smith KC, Judy Fu and Amy Gregg of 3 Verulam Buildings 
 
 
Arbitration remains a key part of the commercial dispute lawyer's toolkit.  Practitioners may be interested to learn that in 2023-4, arbitration applications amounted to around 20% of all claims issued in the Commercial Court.  With the Arbitration Act 2025 now having come into force, amending the existing Arbitration Act 1996, this talk will give LSLA members the opportunity to ensure their knowledge is up-to-date, as well as to hear about how these issues can be addressed strategically.

 

 

Tuesday 10 February 2025, at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

 

Disgruntled shareholders: acting for and against them

Fraser Campbell KC of Blackstone Chambers

 

Shareholder disputes, in all their different forms, are a staple of litigation before the Business and Property Courts.  Our speaker will be giving an overview of the different kinds of dispute (co-founders, private equity, activist shareholders, family companies), the key remedies and tactical hints and tips (including as to the key mis-steps frequently seen when making or responding to shareholder complaints). Finally, this talk will explore the potential cross-fertilisation between private and public law concepts, in circumstances where the statutory unfair prejudice regime could arguably be seen as effectively a type of judicial review for companies.

 

 

Attendance is not limited to LSLA members. Anyone can apply for tickets via the website

The cost is £90 for all four events (non-members £110).

Alternatively you can book each event individually via our events page.

Our events usually sell out, so please apply early.

The LSLA lectures will start at 6 p.m. All events will last approximately one hour, to include a period for questions at the end, and will be followed by drinks.