The SOAS Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre in association with COMBAR with Support from Fatima Balfaqeeh Law Firm will be hosting an event at the DIFC Academy.

Join them for a comprehensive exploration of the burgeoning cooperation, trade, and investment relationships between Africa and the Arab World.  The event will run from 1pm – 4pm (Dubai time) on the topic “Trade, Investment and Related Arbitration Between Africa and the Arab World”.  The seminar will finish with refreshments served from 3.30pm.  The event will be hybrid, but it will not be recorded.  Places are limited, please book here through Eventbrite.  You can also register to receive updates on the event.  We look forward to meeting you there.

COMBAR Africa and HKA are jointly hosting an event in the Grill at the Capital Club in Dubai running from 3pm to 5pm Dubai time (11 GMT).

The event will debate “Is arbitration fit for the purpose of resolving African disputes?”.  Abdul Jinadu – Member of the English Bar and international practitioner and arbitrator will be moderating.

Panellists:

Dr.Mohamed Sameh Amr – Professor and Chair of the International Law Department at Cairo University; Founding and Managing Partner of Amr & Partners Law Firm.

Jamsheed Peeroo – Member of the English and Mauritius Bar, and international practitioner.

Igor Corelj – Principal at HKA.

Emilia Onyema – Professor in International Commercial Law, Director of the SOAS Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre, member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The event is in-person only and will not be recorded.

Drinks and canapé will be served from 4pm.

Please register for your place here.

They say you are what you eat. But what should we eat to be the best barristers we can be?

The COMBAR Wellbeing Committee will be hosting a talk on nutrition.

Expert dietician Mike Murphy will educate us about how the food we eat impacts upon our performance as advocates, and what we can all do to optimise our diet so that we can perform on our feet.

The talk will take place in Inner Temple at 6pm, followed by Q&A.

Refreshments will be served from 7pm.

The talk will be in-person and recorded.

The event is open to Members of COMBAR, ChBA, TECBAR and LCLCBA.  Pupils welcome.

Register to attend in-person here

Open to pupils at COMBAR sets.

8:45 am to 10 am at Essex Court.

Spaces are limited.

Please register for your place here.

“Corruption in international arbitration: practical advice from three leading practitioners”

Inspired by the issues arising from the decision of Robin Knowles J in Nigeria v P&ID [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm), this panel session, chaired by Philippa Hopkins KC, will discuss the practicalities of dealing with issues of bribery and corruption in international arbitration. We will hear from three leading practitioners about steps that counsel, solicitors, arbitrators and institutions can and should be taking. A number of spaces will be held for solicitors to attend and drinks will be served after the lecture.

Panellists:

Richard Lissack KC, Fountain Court Chambers

Peter Binning, Corker Binning

Professor Dr Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof

The lecture will take place in the Ashworth Centre at Lincoln’s Inn from 5:45pm to 6.45pm.

The event will be hybrid and recorded.

Save by invitation, this event is open to COMBAR members only and pupils are welcome.

Please register here for in-person attendance.  Those joining online do not need to register.

Nigel Eaton KC and Adam Woolnough, Essex Court Chambers, will give a talk followed by questions.

The talk will be held in Inner Temple and will start at 5.30pm. It will be hybrid and recorded.

Refreshments, including soft drinks will be served from 6.30pm until 7pm, after the talk finishes.

In person attendance is encouraged, please book your place here. Those attending online do not need to register.

The talk is open to COMBAR Members only, but pupils are welcome.

A ZOOM link will be circulated closer to.

The COMBAR Annual Lecture 2024 was delivered by

Lord Grabiner KC

on Tuesday 22^nd October at 5.30pm, in Gray’s Inn Hall

on the subject of

“Dealing with Clients”

Lord Grabiner KC shared personal experiences of handling clients over his 56 years at the Commercial Bar.

The lecture is now available for members to view in the document library.

The COMBAR Africa Committee will be hosting a drinks reception in Douala, Cameroon during CAW/AAA.

The reception will be held at the SAWA Hotel starting at 1730 on 8^th October 2024 and is expected to finish at 2000.

Places are limited, if you are interested in attending, please register your interest at admin@combar.com

The COMBAR Website has more information about the work of the COMBAR Africa Committee.

Peter MacDonald Eggers KC will give a talk followed by questions.

The talk will take place in rooms at the Ashworth Centre at Lincoln’s Inn from 5:45pm to 6.45pm.

The event will be hybrid and recorded.

It is open to COMBAR members only and pupils are welcome.

Please register here for in-person attendance.  Those joining online do not need to register.

Legal Cheek, the official partner of the COMBAR Social Mobility Mentoring Scheme, will be hosting a seminar for future commercial barristers.

Aimed at students and graduates, the virtual short talks will be held on Thursday 18 July from 4pm to 5pm – Please register your interest here

Panelists:

Alex Wright KC – 4 Pump Court and Chair of the COMBAR Social Mobility Mentoring Scheme
Sheriar Khan –  Atkin Chambers
Isobel Kamber – Keating Chambers
Adam Brown – Future pupil at One Essex Court and former COMBAR mentee

The panelists will offer their top tips for pupillage applications to commercial sets, as well as sharing anecdotes and insights into their personal experience accessing a career at the Bar.  They will also explore the COMBAR Social Mobility Mentoring scheme, which pairs individuals from groups who are under-represented at the Bar with practitioners from COMBAR member sets, and how the scheme can help you to secure a commercial pupillage.