Thriving debut for the Summer Course on International Arbitration at Durham Law School
Durham Law School Hosts Inaugural Summer Course on International Arbitration
Last week, Durham Law School conducted its first Summer Course on International Arbitration. The course, targeted towards practitioners, scholars, and students, aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of international arbitration as a distinct field of legal practice.
The three-day course was limited to 30 participants to ensure a 3:1 teacher-to-student ratio, allowing for personalised attention and engaging discussions. The faculty, drawn from top global scholars and practitioners, offered a diverse array of experience and perspectives.
The course covered three main modules: fundamentals of commercial arbitration, fundamentals of treaty-based arbitration, and practical arbitration skills. It delved into international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and strategic considerations for specialist counsel. The program provided practical instruction on best practices in written and oral advocacy, the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, and institutional rules.
Notable speakers at the course included John Fellas, Wendy Miles QC, Christian Leathley, Charles T. Kotuby Jr., FCIArb, and several esteemed guests. The course concluded with a dinner at The Durham Castle, hosted by the Dean of Durham Law School, Volker Roeben.
The expansion of cross-border investment and trade has led to increased and complex relationships between businesses, investors, and states. Parties in these relationships often need to consider arbitration as the best means of resolving disputes.
While no direct mention of the 2022 Durham Law School Summer Course on international arbitration was found in search results, Durham Law School is recognised as a world leader in legal education and research, with a focus on international dispute resolution themes. For instance, the school hosted the 4th Durham Energy Disputes Conference in July 2025, addressing global energy disputes including cross-border issues.
For those interested in the expansion of international arbitration in cross-border disputes or Durham Law School’s programs, it is recommended to consult Durham’s official law school website or contact their academic office directly for archive course details from 2022, as such specifics may not be widely published online.
The course was a success, with 23 attendees partaking in numerous networking events throughout the week. As cross-border disputes continue to rise, courses like this one at Durham Law School will undoubtedly play a crucial role in equipping the legal community with the necessary skills to navigate these complex issues.
Education and self-development opportunities were abundant at the Durham Law School Summer Course on International Arbitration, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of international arbitration as a distinct field of legal practice. Furthermore, with the rise of cross-border disputes, courses like this one at Durham Law School are essential for equipping the legal community with the necessary skills to navigate these complex issues, fostering continued education and self-development within the field of international dispute resolution.
