Twenty years ago, two landmark decisions shaped the modern landscape of state immunity law in the United Kingdom. The Court of Appeal's judgment in Svenska Petroleum AB v Government of the Republic of Lithuania [2006] EWCA Civ 152 clarified the scope of the UK's arbitration, commercial, and waiver exceptions to state immunity, while the House of Lords in Jones v Saudi Arabia [2006] UKHL 26 upheld a state's immunity in civil proceedings for alleged torture. Twenty years on, these cases continue to generate scholarly debate, shape litigation strategy, and raise fundamental questions about the balance between state immunity, accountability, and access to justice.

This one-day conference brings together leading academics, practitioners, and judges to critically assess how the principles established in Svenska and Jones have evolved, been applied, challenged, and developed over the past two decades. Across five panels, speakers will examine the sovereign/non-sovereign distinction, waiver of immunity by consent, treaty, and contract, enforcement and asset recovery in arbitration against states, the evolving boundaries of state immunity in cross-border harm, and the ongoing challenge posed by human rights and jus cogens norms. The conference offers an opportunity to reflect on twenty years of development, and look ahead to what may come next.

Conference programme

Please find the conference programme below. Kindly note that all times are listed in GMT and that the agenda may be subject to change.

Programme

Please note that this conference is taking place in person only.