Event & Webinars

Advanced Training Course on International Dispute Resolution, Mediation & Arbitration

Summer 2024 | The Hague & Online

As part of the Think Global, Go Global (TGG) initiative, HCLA-Network, in collaboration with IEDS and BE-NEXEL, successfully organized the Advanced Training Course on International Dispute Resolution, Mediation & Arbitration.

Held across July–August 2024, the program welcomed more than 70 seasoned legal professionals to an intensive 20-hour training, offered in a hybrid format (online and in person). Led by a panel of six distinguished professors and arbitrators, the course combined expert lectures, interactive discussions, and practical workshops, enabling participants worldwide to access high-level training.

Key themes included:

• The evolving role of mediation in cross-border disputes

• Innovative arbitration techniques and strategies

• The impact of international law on dispute resolution

• Hands-on practice in arbitration and mediation techniques

This hallmark training equipped participants with the tools, skills, and confidence to navigate and resolve complex international disputes, reaffirming HCLA’s commitment to advancing global expertise in law and business.

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Exclusive “Law & Business” Event
Strategic Investment Opportunities in Oman’s Urban Development

26 March 2024 | Online

As part of the Think Global, Go Global (TGG) initiative, HCLA, in collaboration with the Embassy of Oman in the Netherlands, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS), hosted an exclusive online session on Strategic Investment Opportunities in Oman’s Urban Development.

Held on 26 March 2024, the event brought together senior Omani officials and HCLA experts to highlight investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and market trends in Oman’s fast-growing urban development and construction sectors.

Speakers included H.E. Sheikh Dr. Al Harthi, H.E. Ibtisam Al-Faroujiya, Engineer Ibrahim Al Waili, and Dr. Ali Marossi. Designed as an invitation-only event for elite investors and executives, the session offered high-level insights into Oman’s economic vision and global investment potential.
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Roundtable Session – Democratic Transformation in Uzbekistan

14 February 2024 | The Hague

On 14 February 2024, the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), in cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Uzbekistan to the EU, and partner organizations, hosted a high-level Roundtable on Democratic Transformation in Uzbekistan.

The event brought together senior officials, diplomats, and legal experts, who shared perspectives on Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform agenda and its role in fostering international cooperation. Keynote speakers praised Uzbekistan’s progress in judicial reform, legal modernization, and democratic transformation, while highlighting the country’s growing influence in regional and global affairs.

Highlights of the session included:

• Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the HCCH, and H.E. Mr. Gayrat Fazilov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Belgium and the Netherlands

• A keynote by H.E. Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

• Presentations by senior Uzbek officials, including H.E. Mrs. Svetlana Artikova, Deputy Prosecutor General, and H.E. Mr. Jahongir Abdurasulov, Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis

• An in-depth analysis by Dr. Ali Marossi, Managing Partner of HCLA, on the global impact of Uzbekistan’s legal reforms

The roundtable concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, sparking dialogue on reform, investment, and international cooperation. This exchange underscored Uzbekistan’s commitment to the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy and its position as a model for democratic transformation and legal reform in the region.

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From Vision to Action: Conclusion of the AFEZ Business Insights Event in The Hague

5 April 2023 | The Hague

On 5 April 2023, the AFEZ Business Insights Event was successfully concluded in The Hague, co-organized by the Alat Free Economic Zone Authority (AFEZA), the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Hague Centre for Law and Arbitration (HCLA), and BENEXEL.

The event gathered leading figures from the Dutch business community, alongside H.E. Rahman Hummatov, Chairman of AFEZA, and H.E. Rahman Mustafayev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Netherlands. The discussions highlighted the strategic role of the Alat Free Economic Zone in attracting foreign investment, fostering innovation, and serving as a key gateway for trade between Europe, Central Asia, and beyond.

Participants engaged in presentations, case studies, and networking exchanges focused on:

• Investment opportunities within the AFEZ framework

• Azerbaijan’s evolving business climate and regulatory reforms

• Strengthening Netherlands–Azerbaijan economic partnerships

• Practical avenues for expanding cross-border trade and cooperation

The event underscored the importance of aligning vision with actionable strategies, showcasing how the AFEZ serves as a hub for sustainable growth, international business, and legal certainty for investors.

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The Effectiveness of Economic Sanctions in Preventing Conflict – An International Law Perspective

30 March 2022 | The Hague & Online

On 30 March 2022, the HCLA-Network, in collaboration with leading academics and practitioners from the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, and the Diplomatic Academy of Brussels/Vrije Universiteit Brussel, hosted an exclusive hybrid panel discussion on the Effectiveness of Economic Sanctions in Preventing Conflict.

The event gathered participants both in person in The Hague and virtually online, bringing together a distinguished panel of experts, including Thomas John (HCLA & Resolution2Resolve), Prof. Alexander Orakhelashvili (University of Birmingham), Prof. Antonios Tzanakopoulos (University of Oxford), and Bernard Siman OBE (Vrije Universiteit Brussel).

Discussions focused on:

• The legal foundations of international sanctions

• Their role in conflict prevention and resolution

• The impact of sanctions on international business, trade, and diplomacy

• The balance between enforcement, compliance, and human rights considerations

The hybrid format ensured broad participation from business managers, lawyers, diplomats, and investors, offering valuable insights into how sanctions continue to influence law, diplomacy, and the global economy.

HCLA – Doshisha University GSGS Webinar “Azerbaijan as an Emerging Eurasian Business Hub: An Overview of Business Opportunities and Legal Challenges”

On 25 February 2021, HCLA in close cooperation with our partners from Doshisha University Graduate School of Global Studies (Doshisha University) concluded another successful Webinar as the HCLA’s international program, ‘Think Global, Go Global’, on the topic and message of ‘Azerbaijan as an Emerging Eurasian Business Hub – An Overview of the Business Opportunities and Legal Challenges’.

HCLA organized the webinar as part of its “Think Global, Go Global” program, during which a number of ambassadors, academics, innovators, and entrepreneurs  from Azerbaijan, Japan, and Europe presented their views and comments on business opportunities and legal challenges in Azerbaijan. The seminar was held in the form of a webinar.

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HCLA – Doshisha University GSGS Webinar
Business Opportunities and Challenges along the Silk Road: From Central Asia, Iran, and the Caucasus to the EU

On January 28, HCLA and Doshisha University GSGS co-hosted a webinar on Business Opportunities and Challenges along the Silk Road. As part of the “Think Global, Go Global” program, ambassadors, academics, and entrepreneurs from Europe, Japan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Iran discussed opportunities and legal challenges shaping trade and cooperation along this vital route.
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International Law and Economic Diplomacy

21-26 May 2021

From May 21 to 26, 2021, HCLA and ADA University hosted the Executive Program, bringing together over 80 diplomats and legal experts from Azerbaijan. Led by six distinguished professors and practitioners, the program explored international law, EU cooperation, WTO frameworks, economic diplomacy, investment, and dispute resolution—providing participants with valuable insights into global legal and economic practices.

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HCLA Seminar – Legal Considerations in the Process of Global Business Partnerships

20 November 2019 | Kish INVEX

As part of the Kish INVEX events, HCLA hosted a seminar on “Legal Considerations in the Process of Global Business Partnerships: Improving Corporate Values, Cost Management, and Trade Conflicts.”

Three international members of the HCLA Network shared their expertise on pressing issues in cross-border business, including:

• Opportunities and Challenges of Cross-Border Partnerships: Double Taxation

• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: AML and Sanctions Regimes

• Principles for Commercial Contracts: Mediation & Conciliation Approaches

The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, providing participants with valuable perspectives on managing the legal complexities of international business partnerships.

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HCLA Roundtable – Discovery and Disclosure in International Arbitration

4 April 2019 | The Hague

HCLA hosted a roundtable on “Implications of Data Privacy and Privilege on Document Disclosure in Cross-Border Dispute Resolution,” gathering lawyers, arbitrators, and diplomats to explore pressing issues in international arbitration.

Key discussion topics included:

• Privilege and Disclosure in cross-border disputes

• The impact of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Evolving practices in discovery and disclosure in international arbitration

The session fostered an engaging dialogue on balancing transparency, privacy, and fairness in cross-border dispute resolution, providing participants with practical insights into one of arbitration’s most complex challenges.

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5th Session of HCLA Advanced Training Course – Law & Business
Negotiation, Mediation & Conflict Resolution

2 February 2018 | The Hague

As the fifth session of the HCLA Advanced Training Course “Law & Business”, HCLA, in collaboration with The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), successfully concluded a comprehensive program on Negotiation, Mediation & Conflict Resolution.

The course gathered professors, senior international lawyers, and practitioners, combining academic lectures with practical workshops and institutional visits to leading international and EU organizations, including MICT, ICC, Eurojust, HCCH, and the PCA at the Peace Palace.

Program Highlights included:

• Mediation & Plea Bargaining – Comparative Perspectives (US & International Jurisprudence)

• Individual Branding for Lawyers in the International Market

• Innovation & Opportunities in Legal Practice

• Negotiation Techniques, Practical Strategies & Legal Frameworks

• Drafting International Conventions & Mediation in Private International Law

• International Arbitration: Investment & Commercial Cases

• Case Management before International Courts & Tribunals

• Annual Membership at the Peace Palace Library

The program successfully blended academic depth with hands-on practice, equipping participants with the tools to navigate complex negotiations, mediation, and dispute resolution in international law and business.
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HCLA Roundtable – Evidence Gathering in International Litigation

1 November 2018 | The Hague

HCLA hosted a high-level roundtable on Evidence Gathering in International Litigation, bringing together international lawyers, arbitrators, and diplomats for an engaging discussion.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. Edward Russo, one of the UN war crimes prosecutors, who explored critical aspects of evidence work in international proceedings. His talk addressed early evidence gathering, methods of collection, investigation planning, and mechanisms for state cooperation, followed by a lively Q&A session where participants shared questions, insights, and experiences.
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4th Session of Advanced Training Course – Law & Management: Economic Management & International Business Law

4–12 September 2017 | The Netherlands, Belgium & France

A selected group of senior lawyers and business owners participated in the 4th Session of the Advanced Training Course “Economic Management & International Business Law,” co-organized by HCLA and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS).

Held across The Netherlands, Belgium, and France, the program gathered more than 22 participants for a week of lectures, workshops, and institutional visits, designed to enhance expertise in international business law, economic management, and cross-border legal practice. This session forms part of HCLA’s broader mandate to strengthen global legal knowledge and professional capacity.

2nd Session of HCLA Advanced Training Course – Law & Business
National Courts and the International Rule of Law

February 2016 | The Hague

As the second session of the HCLA Advanced Training Course “Law & Business”, HCLA and the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies of Leiden University co-hosted a 5-day advanced program in The Hague on “National Courts and the International Rule of Law.”

Designed specifically for judges and prosecutors, the course offered in-depth lectures, workshops, and case discussions on the role of national courts in upholding international law. The program aimed to strengthen judicial capacity and equip participants with the tools to address complex global legal challenges.

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Summit on Petroleum Contracts and Investment Opportunities
March 2016

On 9 March 2016, HCLA, the European Institute of Law and Business (EILB), and the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion (NCH) co-organized the Summit on Iran Petroleum Contracts and Investment Opportunities at the World Trade Center. The event welcomed over 50 European companies and entrepreneurs, along with a delegation of oil and gas experts. The summit featured presentations, a Q&A session, and one-on-one consulting opportunities, offering participants direct insights into Iran’s energy sector and investment landscape.
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The Business Opportunities Summit
May 2016

In May 2016, HCLA, together with the European Institute of Law and Business (EILB) and the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion (NCH), hosted the Business Opportunities Summit in The Hague. The event gathered 150+ delegates from Iran, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. After opening remarks on strengthening EU-Iran business relations, participants engaged in project presentations and panel discussions on oil, gas, energy, water, civil works, banking, and agriculture, followed by fruitful bilateral meetings.
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3rd Session of HCLA Advanced Training Course – Law & Business
The Role of National Lawyers in International Dispute Settlements

September 2016 | The Hague

As the third session of the HCLA Advanced Training Course “Law & Business”, HCLA, in cooperation with Leiden University, organized an intensive week-long program on “The Role of National Lawyers in International Dispute Settlements.”

More than 30 lawyers and legal advisors participated in a series of lectures, workshops, case studies, and institutional visits. The course concluded with a certificate ceremony, reinforcing HCLA’s commitment to strengthening legal expertise and advancing international dispute settlement practices worldwide.

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