The Vice Chairperson of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution speaks at London Arbitration Week 2025 Flagship Conference

Professor Marike Patrani Paulsson, Vice Chairperson of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in a session titled “The Evolving Landscape of the Rule of Law in the Current Geopolitical Climate: Risks and Opportunities for ADR” at the Flagship Conference of London Arbitration Week 2025 (LAW).

The Flagship Conference is considered the centrepiece of London Arbitration Week 2025, and brings together the sharpest minds in international arbitration for a full day of debate, analysis, and insights.

The conference programme is designed to challenge assumptions and spark new ideas. Panels will feature distinguished practitioners, arbitrators, judges, and experts addressing the most pressing issues facing arbitration today. With a carefully curated agenda, every session promises to deliver insight and inspiration.

During the session, Professor Paulsson addressed the impact of geopolitical fragmentation, diverging rule of law standards, and systemic instability on cross-border dispute resolution. She highlighted how shifting sanctions regimes, conflicts, and pressures on national judiciaries create both risks and opportunities for arbitration and other ADR mechanisms, particularly in the selection of seats, enforcement strategies, and forum choices. In her remarks, she underlined the growing importance of “transnational rule of law” principles in providing predictability and legal certainty for international commerce, and showcased Bahrain’s efforts to position itself as a trusted, rules-based jurisdiction for resolving complex disputes.

The panel also featured The Rt Hon Lord Bellamy KC, Judge Tim Eicke KC, and Toby Landau KC, who shared perspectives on the evolution of the rule of law, the role of multilateral institutions, and the expanding contribution of ADR in a multipolar world.

The participation of the Council in the LAW Flagship Conference reflects Bahrain’s commitment to engaging with leading global institutions, sharing best practices, and contributing to policy discussions at the highest level. It further reinforces Bahrain’s vision of serving as a neutral and reliable hub for international dispute resolution, grounded in the rule of law and open regional and international collaboration.