Geopolitical conflict, sanctions, trade restrictions, cyberattacks and  supply-chain disruption are placing unprecedent pressure on 

international contracts. This panel will examine how experts, counsel and tribunals; assess, defend and allocate responsibility when extraordinary events delay performance, dramatically increase its cost or render it allegedly impossible. Topics may include: 

•    Force majeure, hardship and change in law – distinguishing legal impossibility from commercial difficulty.
•    Mitigation and alternative performance – how far must a party go to overcome disruption?
•    Sanctions and conflicting mandatory laws – consequences for contractual performance and arbitral proceedings.
•    Payment obligations and performance guarantees – whether they can be suspended or restrained during a crisis.
•    Causation and damages – allocating losses where several disruptive events overlap.
•    Emergency and interim relief – preserving projects, assets and commercial relationships.

Special focus: The panel will also examine how emergency arbitration, interim measures and early determination under the 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules can assist parties when urgent contractual or jurisdictional questions threaten the continuation of a major project.