British Institute of International and Comparative Law

06/08/2026

💡 Are the amendments to section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act (i.e. the supply chain transparency provisions) proposed in the Immigration and Asylum Bill sufficient to increase corporate transparency and accountability?

The amendments are likely to lead to more entities publishing their statements but not necessarily to better quality reporting and greater accountability.

The UK government should consider i) the unintended consequences of addressing supply chain transparency in immigration policy, ii) the inadequacy of some reporting amendments, and iii) the need for stronger accountability mechanisms beyond transparency reporting only.

✍ Read more in our latest blog by Dr Sofía González De Aguinaga, PhD: https://www.biicl.org/blog/134/strengthening-transparency-in-supply-chains-in-the-immigration-and-asylum-bill

03/08/2026

⚖️ How do courts uphold the rule of law during times of extraordinary pressure?

Join us on 18 September for Judicial Resilience: Why Judicial Independence Matters in Times of Polycrisis, where eminent judges from the European Court of Human Rights will reflect on the role of supranational adjudication in safeguarding the rule of law during periods of armed conflict, democratic backsliding, public health emergencies, and political polarisation. The discussion will explore how courts protect fundamental rights, strengthen institutional resilience, and uphold public trust during times of extraordinary pressure.

We are delighted to welcome:
🔹 Judge Anna Adamska Gallant, European Court of Human Rights
🔹 Judge Mykola Gnatovskyy, European Court of Human Rights

Opening remarks will be given by Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Former President of the UK Supreme Court and President of BIICL.

📅 18 September 2026
🕑 14:00–15:30 (Registration from 13:30), followed by a reception
📍 BIICL, Russell Square, London & Online

Find out more and secure your place: https://www.biicl.org/events/12122/judicial-resistance-why-judicial-independence-matters-in-times-of-polycrisis

31/07/2026

An estimated 28 million people live under forced labour conditions worldwide, generating around $236 billion in illegal profits each year. As governments introduce mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (mHREDD) and forced labour trade ban laws, a critical question remains: how are these measures impacting the people they are designed to protect?

Join us on 7 October for the launch of a new BIICL research report examining the impacts of these laws on rightsholders.

Drawing on desk-based research, interviews and roundtables with multiple stakeholders across jurisdictions, the report examines how these laws are working in practice and identifies critical evidence gaps to help inform more effective policy design, implementation and evaluation.

📅 7 October 2026
🕒 15:00–17:00 (registration from 14:30) followed by a reception
📍 BIICL, Russell Square, London and online

Find out more and register: https://www.biicl.org/events/12117/launch-and-discussion-of-report-on-impacts-on-rightsholders-of-human-rights-and-environmental-due-diligence-and-forced-labour-trade-ban-laws

30/07/2026

🌍 Attending LCIL 2026? Don’t forget to visit the BIICL stand!

The London Conference on International Law is fast approaching, with just two months to go until it takes place at the QEII Centre on 1–2 October. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with leading practitioners, academics and policymakers from across the international law community.

Our Director and CEO, Sonya Sceats, will be speaking on careers in international law, and the BIICL team will be at the exhibition stand throughout the conference. We would love for you to stop by, meet the team and find out more about our work.

Places are limited, so register now to secure your place: https://thelondonconference.org/

24/07/2026

✍️ No Walkovers - Humans Are Irreplaceable In AI-Assisted Human Rights Impact Assessments

In our latest BIICL insight, Dr Rowena Rodrigues draws on our Business and Human Rights Forum roundtable held on 10 June 2026, exploring Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Business and Human Rights.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into human rights impact assessments (HRIAs), Rowena argues that meaningful human oversight remains indispensable. While AI can improve efficiency and support analysis, human assessors must retain responsibility for critical judgments, stakeholder engagement and accountability to ensure HRIAs remain credible and effective safeguards for human rights.

Read the full post: https://www.biicl.org/events/12113/artificial-intelligence-regulation-and-business-and-human-rights

21/07/2026

📢 Call for Papers | 11th Small States Conference: AI, Technology, and Small States: Opportunities and Challenges

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law, in partnership with the Institute of Small and Micro States (ISMS), invites submissions for the 11th Small States Conference, taking place in London on 9 November 2026.

This year's theme explores Small States, Artificial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies, examining how AI is reshaping the legal, political, economic, social, and security landscapes for small states.

We welcome contributions from scholars, policymakers, and practitioners across law, political science, international relations, economics, development studies, public policy, technology studies, and related fields.

Topics include:
🔹 AI governance and global norm-setting
🔹 Digital sovereignty and data governance
🔹 Cybersecurity and digital resilience
🔹 AI in public administration and access to justice
🔹 Digital trade, innovation, and economic development
🔹 Human rights and AI
🔹 Climate technology and sustainability
🔹 Disinformation, democracy, and electoral integrity
🔹 International cooperation on AI regulation
…and many more.

📅 Abstract deadline: 31 August 2026
📅 Conference: 9 November 2026
📍 BIICL, Russell Square, London

Find out more and submit your abstract 👉 https://www.biicl.org/events/12130/ai-technology-and-small-states-opportunities-and-challenges-11th-small-states-conference-call-for-papers

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to London for what promises to be a timely and thought-provoking discussion!

20/07/2026

📢 Join leading experts for the latest developments in ICSID arbitration

On 16 October 2026, the Investment Treaty Forum at BIICL will bring together leading practitioners, academics and policymakers for a conference exploring the past, present and future of ICSID arbitration.

Featuring introductory remarks from Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID, and a keynote address by Meg Kinnear, former Secretary-General of ICSID, the event will include three expert panels exploring ICSID’s institutional development, evolving procedural and substantive rules, and emerging trends in annulment, enforcement and the future of investment dispute settlement.

This event is essential for anyone looking to stay informed about the latest developments shaping ICSID arbitration and international investment law.

📅 Friday, 16 October 2026
📍 BIICL, London and online
🔗 View the full programme and register: https://www.biicl.org/events/12116/forty-sixth-itf-public-conference-icsid-arbitration-at-60-past-present-and-future

Speakers include:
• Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID
• Meg Kinnear, Low & Kinnear and former Secretary-General of ICSID
• Prof. Yarik Kryvoi, Director of the Investment Treaty Forum, BIICL
• Prof. Attila M. Tanzi, University of Bologna and 3 Verulam Buildings
• Sylvia Tonova Noury KC, Freshfields
• Camilla Gambarini, Withers
• Prof. Robert Volterra, Volterra Fietta and UCL
…and many more leading voices in investment arbitration.

16 October 2026, BIICL, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5JP and Online

16/07/2026

🌍 How is public international law applied in practice?

Our Public International Law in Practice short course offers a practical introduction to the key principles and latest developments shaping public international law. Designed primarily for senior practitioners, academics and government officials, the programme explores how international law is applied in national and international dispute resolution, policy-making, and legal and diplomatic practice.

Secure your place 👉 https://www.biicl.org/events/12103/short-course-public-international-law-in-practice

Course topics include:
🔹 Legal Foundations of Public International Law
🔹 International Trade Law
🔹 International Human Rights Law
🔹 International Investment Law
🔹 International Migration and Refugee Law
🔹 International Law Concerning Armed Conflict
🔹 International Criminal Law
🔹 International Environmental and Climate Change Law
🔹 Business and Human Rights

BIICL members receive a 20% discount on course fees. Join our global community and take advantage of exclusive member benefits: https://www.biicl.org/membership-individual

15/07/2026

📢 Call for Papers: The Daily Life of International Law

International law shapes the lives of individuals and communities in both visible and often overlooked ways—from global organisations and cross-border trade to everyday activities such as travel, consumption and access to justice.

This workshop explores the many ways international law is experienced as a daily reality, examining the opportunities, challenges and impacts this creates for individuals, communities and the future development of international law.

📅 29 October 2026
📍 Charles Clore House, Russell Square, London (Hybrid)

With a view of this, BIICL and the The Society of Legal Scholars International Law Section are calling for abstracts to be submitted for presentations. Some indicative topics include:

🔹 How international law matters to the everyday application of other fields, such as history, sociology, psychology or linguistics.
🔹 How international law aspires to and impacts people's everyday lives within and beyond fields like human rights, the laws of war, refugee law or international economic law.
🔹 How international law impacts people's everyday lives in hidden ways - including in how it regulates, food, water, and day to day activities.
🔹 Practical dilemmas international law texts pose in the everyday domestic implementation of fields beyond international law, such as criminal law or family law.
🔹 What issues face the day to day lives of those working in international law or for international organizations?
🔹 What initiatives are being taken to raise awareness of the day-to-day impacts of international law with general and particular populations?
🔹 To what extent is the daily life of international law incorporated into the teaching of international law?

Find out more 👉 https://www.biicl.org/events/12129/the-daily-life-of-international-law-call-for-papers

14/07/2026

⚽ World Cup red card calls and the rule of law

A disputed red card involving US striker Folarin Balogun at the FIFA Club World Cup has sparked debate about fairness, consistency and accountability. But the issues at stake extend well beyond football.

In our latest BIICL Insights blog post, Sonya Sceats explores what this controversy reveals about the rule of law. Whether on the pitch or in society, confidence depends on decisions being made transparently, consistently and according to established rules—not influenced by power or status. When those principles are called into question, public trust suffers.

Read the full blog and join the conversation: https://www.biicl.org/blog/131/world-cup-red-card-calls-and-the-rule-of-law