Applications open for the second Winter Academy on International Arbitration in Rome

The Winter Academy on International Arbitration returns to Rome for its second edition, from 25 to 29 January 2027, bringing together emerging lawyers and leading practitioners for an intensive programme combining advanced arbitration training, career insights and professional networking. Organised by Luiss School of Law in conjunction with the Centre for International Dispute Settlement (CIDS) in Geneva, the Academy provides advanced instruction on key issues in international commercial and investment arbitration, while offering participants direct exposure to the professional realities of international arbitration practice. Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently open.

Learn from leading practitioners

A distinctive feature of the Winter Academy is its practitioner-led approach.

Sessions with ten arbitration partners from international law firms combine substantive teaching with candid conversations about their professional journeys and the realities of building a career in international arbitration. Led by Professor Zachary Douglas, these exchanges explore the qualities and qualifications important for young lawyers entering international arbitration, provide an insider's perspective on law firm recruitment, and give participants the opportunity to put their own questions directly to practitioners.

Following these conversations, each practitioner provides an in-depth analysis of a particular topic in international arbitration, with an emphasis on how the issues arise and are addressed in actual cases. The aim is to provide a practical perspective that goes beyond what can be learned from academic texts alone. The programme also includes presentations by legal counsel from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

In this way, the Winter Academy connects advanced legal training with a better understanding of how international arbitration works in practice and how careers in the field are built. 

The 2027 programme

 The programme will address:

  • The New York Convention: Current Issues
  • Climate Change and Dispute Resolution
  • Effective Advocacy in International Arbitration
  • Interim Relief: Current Issues
  • Dealing with Allegations of Corruption in International Arbitration
  • An Introduction to the Quantification of Damages
  • Introduction to Construction Arbitration
  • International Arbitration involving States and State Entities: Current Issues
  • Reform of Investment Treaty Arbitration
  • The Scope of Investment Protection: Current Issues

Alongside the academic programme, participants will have opportunities to meet and exchange with practitioners and fellow participants, including two evening receptions hosted by major law firms in Rome and a gala dinner at the Luiss Campus. 

An international community

The inaugural edition of the Academy in 2026 welcomed 45 participants from 17 countries and 25 universities, bringing together primarily students alongside practising lawyers. The Academy places particular emphasis on interaction and networking, allowing participants to develop connections with both practitioners and peers who share their interest in international dispute settlement. Building on the success of the first edition, this year's Academy will once again offer participants an opportunity to:

  • learn from leading international arbitration practitioners;
  • gain direct insights into careers, recruitment and professional practice;
  • connect with an international community of emerging dispute settlement professionals;
  • and deepen their understanding of key issues in international commercial and investment arbitration. 

Practical information

Dates: 25-29 January 2027

Location: Rome  

Format: In person  

Programme fee for external participants: €2,000, excluding accommodation. 

Who can apply? The Winter Academy is open to candidates holding a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree or equivalent qualification from a foreign university. Students currently enrolled in one of these academic pathways who have not yet obtained their degree may also participate, subject to available places. These participants will receive a certificate of attendance but will not be eligible for ECTS credits. Applicants are required to submit:

  • a copy of a valid identity document;
  • an academic transcript;
  • and a CV.

Learn from leading practitioners. Get an insider's view of the profession. Build your international arbitration network.