Dates and venue: 

46th ICC Institute Annual Conference
Date:  Thursday 5 November 2026
Venue: Les Salons de l'Hôtel des Arts et Métiers, 9bis avenue d'Iéna, 75116 Paris, France
 

Registration fees 

The registration fee to the Conference includes a seated lunch, cocktail reception and digital copy of the Dossier XXV of the Institute Series.  

• Early bird (until 28 August 2026): 561€* 

• Standard (29 August - 30 October 2026): 724€* 

• Last chance (30 October - 5 November 2026): 877€* 

*20% VAT will be applied. 

ICC and ICC Institute members: 

20% discount on the above rates. Please contact your local NC/the ICC Institute to obtain your discount code. 

Special discounts:

• Special Discount*: Participants who register for both the 39th AAA-ICDR – ICC – ICSID Joint Colloquium on International Arbitration and the 46th ICC Institute of World Business Law Annual Conference on Arbitration with States: New Solutions to Old Problems will receive a 20% discount on the second conference. This discount code will be provided in your first confirmation email.
• Participants who are FULL TIME in-house counsel and government representatives at the time of the event may attend the conference free of charge. LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE.  
• FULL TIME academics may benefit from a 20% discount.  
• Group rate: Register 5 persons from the same company and only pay for 4. 

Please contact ICCGlobalEvents@iccwbo.org for more details.

*Cumulative with member discounts

Travel and accommodation:

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations.

A list of hotels situated near to the conference venue, where ICC has negotiated preferential tariffs, will be shared with participants upon registration.

We are able to dispatch visa invitation letters to support your visa application only after receipt of your registration and full payment of your registration fees.

Persons with a disability who require special assistance to attend the conference or training are invited to contact ICCGlobalEvents@iccwbo.org. 


Cancellation policy:

50% of the registration fee will be refunded if notice of cancellation is received in writing before Friday 2 October 2026. Cancellations after this date are not refundable. 

Please be informed that any form of cancellation will incur a cancellation fee of 20% of the registration fee which must be covered by the participant. 

Subject to agreement from ICC prior to the event, the registration may be transferred to another person from the same company or organisation at no extra charge. Updated registration information will be required. Please note that ICC reserves the right to cancel this event or to make minor alterations to the content and timing of the programme or to the identity of the speakers. In the unlikely event of cancellation, delegates will be offered a full refund. ICC will not, however, be held responsible for any related expense incurred by the participant. 

Working language:
This conference will be held in English.

Credits, hours and points:

The conference will be eligible for credits before the Paris and New York Bars, subject to validation of ICC Global Events' applications, or individual application, as necessary.

Further, ICC Global Events is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.
 

Disclaimer:

The photos and audiovisual recordings taken at this meeting/event may be used and published by ICC, its subsidiaries or affiliates, for informational or promotional purposes in printed materials or online, including on ICC websites and in social media. Participation in the meeting/event implies agreement to such use of photos or audiovisual recordings in which the participant may appear unless ICC receives written notification to the contrary.

Arbitration with States: New Solutions to Old Problems

Co-Chairs: Zachary Douglas, Carmen Núñez-Lagos, and Ana Serra e Moura

The Conference will take a deep dive into some of the most entrenched legal problems arising in arbitrations with States and state entities (with a particular emphasis on contractual arbitration) such as the distinction between the State and the Government (and the misuse of the rules of attribution) as well as the particularities in assessing damages in these cases. The Conference will also address new challenges such as the incorporation of ESG standards into contractual relationships. Four leading academics in the field will act as rapporteurs on these topics and the discussion will then be led by two commentators for each of these substantive presentations. This format is expected to generate a debate of real substance and make a lasting contribution to the resolution of some of the more complex issues arising in the practice of international arbitration.

Thursday 5 November 2026 

08.30-09.00   Registration and welcome coffee

09.00-09.10   Introduction

09.10-09.25   Welcome address 

09.25–10.45  Back to the future? The re-emergence of state contract arbitration and the problem of change in applicable law

One of the most remarkable recent trends in the settlement of investment disputes between States and corporations has been the reemergence to prominence in all the major arbitral institutions of claims under concession contracts. Might this be a practical response on the part of both States and corporations to the relative contraction of investment treaties? The result is frequently a shift back from claims governed by international law to claims under the chosen national law. In turn this reopens a question of   great practical importance: in this environment, how do, or may, arbitral tribunals accommodate changes in host State law over the life of a long-term concession so as to balance the public interest of the State and the private interest of the investor? This session will seek to evaluate the opportunities and challenges that this shift represents by reference to the experience of the panel and recent published awards.

10.45–11.10  Coffee break

11.10–12.30  The Distinction between the Government and the State in International Arbitration

The distinction between the Government and the State is fundamental in both domestic law and international law but is often misunderstood. This session will explore the significance of the distinction for a range of issues such as the proper party to a state contract, the ownership of natural resources, the circumstances in which international law can impact upon state contracts, the scope of interim measures and umbrella clauses.

12.30–12.50  The ICC practice with States and States Entities

12.50–13.00  Q&A

13.00-14.30   Lunch

14.30–15.55  Investment contracts and good corporate citizenship

This paper examines how investment contracts can be used not only to protect investors, but also to articulate and operationalise expectations of good corporate citizenship. It examines the evolving practice on contractual provisions governing investor conduct and responsible business practices, and asks whether and to what extent such clauses can help rebalance the traditional allocation of rights and responsibilities between investors, local communities and host states.

15.55–16.20  Coffee break

16.20–17.45  What Is 'Fair' Compensation? New Insights from Law & Economics

This session explores how law and economics can help define “fair” compensation. It examines the underlying objectives of compensation, including efficiency, incentives, risk allocation, and distributive concerns. Scholarship in the law and economics tradition casts doubt on whether valuation techniques in investor-state arbitration currently achieve those goals. The session considers how compensation standards can be calibrated to better achieve these objectives.

17.45–18.00  Q&A

18.00–18.10  Concluding remarks

18.10–19.00  Cocktail

As the leading body for international business law and arbitration, the ICC Institute brings together over 260
members from around the globe. This annual event provides a platform for legal experts to engage in debates
on current topics and share innovative practices in the industry.

Sponsorship package

• Opportunity to distribute 1 marketing collateral onsite*
• Signage + branding onsite
• 2 complimentary entries
• Opportunity to co-sponsor a coffee break (as available)
• Logo on all event promotional materials
• Sponsor recognition on ICC Arbitration social media channels
• Use of official event Sponsor card
• 30% discount on ICC e-publications

*Sponsor to bear all associated costs (The material must be ethically and sustainably sourced or produced)

Sponsorship amount: €5,000