3VB and NUS Arbitration Lecture
Now in its fifth year, the 3VB/NUS Lecture ‘Islands of Disagreement: Self-Determination in the Line of Fire’ showcases cutting-edge developments in international dispute resolution. What sets it apart is its focus on the next generation of leaders in the field, offering a platform to present their groundbreaking work.
The 2026 keynote will be given by Professor Michael Waibel, who will discuss how arbitration and other dispute resolution methods can help manage and resolve complex international disputes over territories, particularly at a time when cooperation between states is becoming more challenging.
Date: Tuesday 13th May 2026
Timings:
5.30pm: Registration & coffee
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Lecture
7.00pm – 8.00pm: Drinks reception
Venue: The Lecture Theatre at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, Temple, London, EC4Y 7HL
RSVP: events@3vb.com
In-person places at this event are limited. Please register your interest by emailing us at events@3vb.com and we will be in touch in due course to confirm your place. Those that are unable to attend in person will be accommodated virtually.
History
3VB and Queen Mary University of London Launch New Lecture Series
In 2022, 3VB announced the establishment of a new annual lecture in collaboration with the School of International Arbitration, Queen Mary University of London. The 3VB/QM Lecture will focus on advancing our thinking in a field of international dispute resolution. Its distinguishing feature will be to provide a platform for a younger generation of leaders in the field who are already producing some of the most exciting work in the field.
The founders of the lecture are 3VB’s Professor Stavros Brekoulakis and Tariq Baloch.
In 2023, Stavros Brekoulakis was appointed the inaugural Michael and Laura Hwang Professor in International Arbitration at the NUS Faculty of Law for an initial term of three years. On commencement of Stavros’ tenure at the National University of Singapore, the annual lecture became the 3VB and NUS Lecture.
Inaugural Lecture 2022
The inaugural 3VB & Queen Mary Lecture took place on Tuesday 26 May 2022 at Lincoln’s Inn.
Zachary Douglas KC’s lecture paper can be accessed here: “Instead of Principles, Slogans”. A recording of the lecture can be obtained on request by emailing marketing@3vb.com
GAR Article: Tort law holds answers to treaty arbitration problems, argues Douglas
Read more about the ethos of the 3VB and Queen Mary Lecture Series here.
The Second Lecture 2023
The 3VB and Queen Mary University of London Lecture 2023 took place on 11 May at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
The keynote speech for 2023, entitled “Goodnight Vienna? Rethinking Treaty Interpretation”, was given by Romesh Weeramantry, who examined the use of Arts 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and assess critically whether they are fit for purpose in the context of investor-State disputes. Toby Landau KC gave a response to the lecture.
Romesh’s lecture paper can be accessed here. A recording of the lecture can be obtained on request by emailing marketing@3vb.com
The Third Lecture 2024
The 3VB and National University of Singapore (NUS) Arbitration Lecture 2024 took place on Tuesday 14 May at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
The 2024 keynote speech, “Double Waiver of Immunity and Ripple Effects”, was given by Professor Philippa Webb, a barrister at Twenty Essex and Co-Director of the Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution at KCL.
Lord Lloyd-Jones provided a response to the lecture.
Philippa’s lecture paper can be accessed here. A recording of the lecture can be obtained on request by emailing marketing@3vb.com.
The Fourth Lecture 2025
The fourth edition of the 3VB and National University of Singapore (NUS) Arbitration Lecture took place on Tuesday 13 May 2025.
The 2025 keynote, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Legal Theories of Climate Liability” was given by Professor Jorge E. Viñuales, the Harold Samuel Professor of Law and Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge, and Member of the Institute of International Law. Jorge has wide experience in public international law, environmental law and policy and climate and energy law.
The Rt. Hon. Dame Elizabeth Gloster DBE provided a response to the lecture.
Read Professor Viñuales’ lecture paper. A recording of the lecture can be obtained on request by emailing marketing@3vb.com.
