Events
2025 Events
We look forward to an exciting calendar of activity throughout 2025:
- Talks and panels will be announced as we progress through the year.
- Firms and chambers will host a set of private dinners, each featuring one or more of our Litigation Directory sponsors, during which sponsors and attendees will discuss a pre-agreed topic. See the list below and click “Hosted Dinners” to see previous topics.
- A major Spring reception for over 500 guests in May at the Royal Courts of Justice.
- The CLF Associates Committee has activities planned, including with CLF sponsors keen to build relationships with Associates.
- The committee has an active calendar of committee meetings, sometimes synchronised with Associates Committee meetings, and these are followed by committee socials/dinners.
Contact Mary Dobson Smith for further details about events.
Past CLF Events
Hosted breakfast with Harbour Underwriting, Secretariat, Transperfect, CLF members and barristers
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Host/Venue: Trowers and Hamlins
Discussion topic: Claims arising from a cross-border fraud – mastering the practical details


6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Host/Venue: Livery Hall, Guildhall

CLF Associates Networking skills workshop (with Strevas), followed by drinks and networking with CLF sponsors
Host/Venue: Travers Smith
CLF Associates Speed networking breakfast
Host/Venue: 4 New Square Chambers at Middle Eight Hotel
Hosted breakfast with Charles River Associates, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May
Discussion topic: Expert support in Investigations and Disputes
CLF Associates panel event “Innovation in Disputes”
Host/Venue: FTI Consulting
Hosted dinner with LanguageLine and opentext, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Brown Rudnick
Discussion topic: Growing Importance and Adoption of AI in Legal and Language Service

CLF Associates breakfast panel event “Recent developments in international commercial litigation”
Host/Venue: Blackstone Chambers
Hosted dinner with Alix Partners, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Humphries Kerstetter, at L'escargot's PDR Salon Vert
Discussion topic: Two experts walk into a bar… better that than a joint meeting

Hosted dinner with KLDiscovery, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May
Discussion topic: Riding the new data wave: How to stay afloat in the data deluge
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host/Venue: CMS
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Host/Venue: Royal Courts of Justice




Hosted breakfast with FTI Consulting, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May
Discussion topic: Getting practical with generative AI in eDiscovery: an exploration of different models and eDiscovery use cases
Hosted dinner with Gold sponsors Byfield Consultancy, Greyhawk and Quantuma, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Farrer & Co
Discussion topic: War stories; when it can go wrong with Third Party Experts, and how to get it right
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsors Menzies and Gold sponsors TrialView and Exton Advisors, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: HFW
Discussion topic: Show me the money – financing claims, identifying the assets, and presenting your best case

Hosted dinner with multi-category Platinum sponsors FTI Consulting, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: LK Law, Bread Street Kitchen The City
Discussion topic: Solving the UK fraud problem
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsors BDO and Mourant, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Stephenson Harwood
Discussion topic: Being on the receiving end as the cycle turns to recession – If 2024 brings an increase in corporate collapses, along with fund blow-ups, shareholder disputes and enforcement actions, court receiverships may be the next big thing
Host/Venue: Middle Temple

The CLF Christmas Reception sponsored by Burford was held on Monday 27th November at Middle Temple.
Hosted breakfast with multi-category Gold sponsor TransPerfect, Gold sponsor Balance Legal Capital, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Keidan Harrison at The Delaunay
Discussion topic: London’s place as a world leading dispute resolution centre: What more can commercial litigators do to help London retain its crown and what can we learn from the arbitration community?

Hosted dinner with Gold sponsors Harbour Underwriting and Byfield Consultancy, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: CANDEY at The Travellers Club
Discussion topic: Access to justice for potentially insolvent clients, a challenge for society.
CLF Associates event “Soft skills: how to win clients, impress colleagues and get promoted”, followed by drinks and networking with CLF sponsors
Host/Venue: RPC
Hosted dinner with Diamond sponsor KLDiscovery, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May
Discussion topic: Advocates & Algorithms: How generative AI could reshape legal work
CLF Committee meeting, CLF Associates Committee meeting and joint drinks
Host/Venue: Arnold & Porter, Tower 42
Hosted dinner with multi-category Platinum sponsor Cornerstone Research, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: CMS
Discussion topic: The UK Gold Rush – getting to the real heart of the (class) action.
Hosted dinner with eDiscovery sponsors, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May
Discussion topic: AI: the end of the (eDisclosure) world as we know it?’




CLF End of Summer Reception
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Host/Venue: Great Hall, Goodenough College
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor Charles River Associates, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Kingsley Napley
Discussion topic: The Inside Job: Investigating and quantifying a sophisticated transportation industry fraud, comprising a complex web of preferential business relationships, kickback payments and employee-controlled shell companies.
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor Alvarez & Marsal, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Humphries Kerstetter at 1 Lombard Street
Discussion topic: Dealing with Black Swan events in disputes.
Hosted dinner with Platinum sponsor Burford Capital, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Hausfeld at 67 Pall Mall
Discussion topic: Questions you’ve always wanted to ask a funder.
Hosted dinner with Diamond sponsor IEF, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Clifford Chance
Discussion topic: A waterfall of value or a mirage? Bondholder dispute over a company in crisis.

CLF committee-only Summer Social
Host/Venue: Cafe Murano
CLF Associates Social
Host/Venue: Brick Court Chambers rooftop
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Host/Venue: Royal Courts of Justice

The CLF Spring Reception was held on Monday 15th May at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Hosted dinner with Gold sponsor StoneTurn, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Simmons & Simmons
Discussion topic: Catching fraudsters – challenges in chasing the loot.
Hosted dinner with Gold sponsor Greyhawk, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: RPC at M Threadneedle
Discussion topic: The world of open-source corporate intelligence.
5:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Host/Venue: Allen & Overy
Hosted dinner with Silver and Gold sponsors, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Hogan Lovells
Discussion topic: Keeping London as a global litigation hub – challenges and opportunities.
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor Alvarez & Marsal, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: White & Case
Discussion topic: Cyber/data breaches and investigations: common mistakes and how to avoid them.
CLF Associates Autumn Social 2022
Host/Venue: Cooley
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor Ogier, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Farrer & Co
Discussion topic: Shareholder actions in different off-shore jurisdictions.
Hosted dinner with Platinum sponsor Augusta Ventures, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Hausfeld at 67 Pall Mall
Discussion topic: Difference in perspective of defendant/claimant in working on a funded claim.

CLF Associates seminar “Litigation PR”
Host/Venue: Gatehouse Chambers
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Host/Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills, London
The CLF Autumn Reception was held on Tuesday 27th September at Herbert Smith Freehills, London.
Hosted dinner with eDiscovery sponsors, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May



Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor Mourant, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Humphries Kerstetter at Clos Maggiore
Discussion topic: No place to hide? – crime, concealment and claims in the Caribbean.
CLF Associates seminar
Host/Venue: Greyhawk
Discussion topic: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Investigators, But Were Afraid to Ask”
CLF Associates Summer Social 2022
Host/Venue: Travers Smith
Hosted dinner with Gold sponsor S-RM, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: LK Law at Piazza Italiana
Discussion topic: The disputes market after the Russian invasion.
CLF Associates seminar
Host/Venue: Virtual, Zoom
Discussion topic: “Cyber and Data Breaches”
Hosted dinner with multi-category Gold sponsor FTI Consulting, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Avonhurst at The Groucho Club
Discussion topic: War stories in litigation PR.
Hosted dinner with Platinum sponsor Harbour Litigation Funding, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Clifford Chance
Discussion topic: The other side of the funding equation – how can funding work for defendants?
Hosted dinner with eDiscovery sponsors, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Slaughter and May



6:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Host/Venue: Royal Courts of Justice


CLF Associates Spring Social 2022
Host/Venue: The Founders Arms
Host/Venue: Cruise on the Thames
Hosted dinner with Diamond sponsor Independent Economics & Finance LLP, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills
Discussion topic: Quantum issues in the HP/Autonomy v Lynch & Hussain case.

Private CLF Social Dinner
Host/Venue: Piazza Italiana
A private dinner open only to CLF Committee members, hosted at Piazza Italiana.
Hosted dinner with Diamond sponsor Kain Knight, CLF members and barristers
Host/Venue: Brown Rudnick
CLF Associates seminar
Host/Venue: The Whittington Room at St Michaels Paternoster Royal
Discussion topic: “Introduction to Litigation Funding”
CLF Associates seminar
Host/Venue: Virtual, Zoom
Discussion topic: “Costs and Budgeting for eDisclosure Projects”

Host/Venue: Virtual, Zoom

Host/Venue: Virtual, ON24
Intimate dinner with CLF members and sponsors
Host/Venue: The Ivy City Garden


Private dinner supporting the National Pro Bono Centre
Host/Venue: Lord's Dining Club, in the iconic Long Room
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Host/Venue: Kingsley Napley
Private CLF Dinner
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Host/Venue: Ivy Club
A private dinner open only to CLF Committee members, hosted at the Ivy Club.
The Last Online CLF Social!
Host/Venue: Virtual in Venice, Zoom
Host/Venue: Virtual in Venice, Zoom
Host/Venue: Virtual, Remo

Host/Venue: Virtual, Zoom
LegalWeek Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Forum 2019
Host/Venue: The Waldorf Hilton, London
Moscow Event: discussion on Interim Measures
Host/Venue: EPAM Law Firm
CLF Summer Social
Host/Venue: White & Case, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, Peters & Peters on behalf of the CLF committee at 34 Mayfair (Emin Room), London
Moscow Event: discussion on Litigation Costs
Host/Venue: ALRUD Law Firm
Host/Venue: The Waldorf Hilton, London
Pre-Conference Dinner
Host/Venue: Mari Vanna, London
CLF Dinner
Host/Venue: White & Case, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, Peters & Peters on behalf of the CLF committee at The Ivy, London
Discussion Panel on the Disclosure Regime Proposals
Host/Venue: Simmons & Simmons
Legal Week Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Forum 2017
Host/Venue: The Waldorf Hilton, London
CLF Summer Dinner hosted by Advanced Discovery
Host/Venue: London
Legal Week Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Forum 2016
Host/Venue: The Waldorf Hilton, London
Opening address by Head of the Commercial Court, Sir William Blair.
“Top Tips to appearing before the RDC” talk given by Tim Parkes (Chair of the Regulatory Decisions Committee at the FCA)
Host/Venue: Arnold & Porter, Tower 42
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host/Venue: CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, London
Host/Venue: The Waldorf Hilton, London
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Host/Venue: Allen & Overy LLP, London
Host/Venue: The Wine Tun

Host/Venue: White & Case
Host/Venue: White & Case
Host/Venue: CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. Mitre House, 160 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4DD
Host/Venue: SJ Berwin. 10 Queen Street Place, City of London EC4R 1BE
Host/Venue: Goodwin Procter. New York Times Building, 620 Eighth Avenue. New York, New York 10018
Host/Venue: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Host/Venue: White & Case
Host/Venue: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Host/Venue: Herbert Smith Freehills


The time for contingency fees has arrived: a debate covering litigation funding and access to justice
Host/Venue: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Host/Venue: Somerset House, London

Host/Venue: Allen & Overy
Host/Venue: White & Case LLP
Conflicts of Interest: the rules of engagement
Host/Venue: Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP
Host/Venue: Somerset House
Litigation v Arbitration Debate
Host/Venue: Ashurst
Costs – time for a change?
(Lord Justice Brooke, Chief Masater Hurst and Leading Practitioners)
Host/Venue: Baker & McKenzie
Collins J/Smith J
Host/Venue: Norton Rose
Hollander QC/Passmore/Trust
Host/Venue: Simmons & Simmons
Judges (Lord Phillips MR / Lord Hoffmann / Anthony Scrivener QC)
Host/Venue: Lovells
Expert Evidence (Lord Justice Jacob)
Host/Venue: Richards Butler
Question Time (Neuberger / Langley J)
Host/Venue: Allen & Overy
International Commercial Arbitration
Host/Venue: Baker & McKenzie
Drinks for Lord Mayor/Commercial Court Judges (Mr Justice Coleman)
Host/Venue: Herbert Smith
Pro bono
Host/Venue: Freshfields
Advocacy
Host/Venue: Travers Smith Braithwaite
Reception for QB and Chancery Masters
Host/Venue: Nabarro Nathanson
Mediation
Host/Venue: Linklaters