Introduction
The highly anticipated London International Disputes Week (‘LIDW’) returned in 2025 with its flagship Main Conference, held at the prestigious QEII Centre in Westminster. The event brought together leading figures from the global dispute resolution community to explore this year’s timely and vital theme: “Innovation in Dispute Resolution: Navigating Global Risks.”
As part of the Main Conference, the keynote address was delivered by Judge Joan Donoghue, former President of the International Court of Justice (‘ICJ’). A distinguished arbitrator and public international lawyer, Judge Donoghue had an exemplary career shaping global legal standards and advancing the cause of international justice.
Having held pivotal roles at the US State Department and in international law education, Judge Donoghue brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Her extensive background in public international law, coupled with her time as a Judge and President of the ICJ, made her uniquely positioned to address the critical issues that global dispute resolution faced in today’s rapidly changing world. Her address provided thought-provoking perspectives on the intersection of innovation, global risks, and the future of international dispute resolution.
Keynote Address
Judge Joan Donoghue delivered an insightful keynote, addressing the complexities of international dispute settlement and the evolving landscape of global legal practice. She brought her wealth of experience in public international law and dispute resolution to the conference, offering a detailed reflection on the historical roots, present challenges, and future prospects of the field.
She began by expressing her personal appreciation for the conference, noting the discussions on various panels that took place the previous day. While many of these panels focused on individual roles, such as those of counsel, arbitrators, and other practitioners, Judge Donoghue sought to shift the focus toward the collective responsibility of the international dispute settlement community.
Reflections on the Hague Peace Conferences
Judge Donoghue opened her remarks by recalling her time at the Peace Palace in The Hague, where she spent over 13 years working in close proximity to both the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Her experience at this historic institution, she noted, deeply shaped her views on international dispute settlement. She referred to the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907 as a pivotal moment in the development of peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms. While many might view these conferences in hindsight as a noble attempt to bring an end to war, the reality, as Judge Donoghue explained, was more nuanced. The delegates who attended these conferences were guided by their national interests, and though they did not expect to end war through these meetings, they succeeded in institutionalizing mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, which remain fundamental to this day.
“Those of us who work in dispute settlement must seize opportunities to advance the goals and the value that underpinned those Hague Peace Conferences some 120 years ago.” – Judge Joan Donoghue
Judge Donoghue emphasised the establishment of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the seeds planted during these conferences for a standing court that would later evolve into the International Court of Justice. Despite the successes of these conferences, she noted that some of the same challenges persist today, particularly in the selection of adjudicators, the exclusion of certain disputes from arbitration, and the continued dominance of national interests in international negotiations.
Addressing Contemporary Global Challenges
Turning to the present day, Judge Donoghue acknowledged that international dispute settlement is currently being shaped by a broader global context marked by shifting power dynamics. She highlighted the increasing use of unilateral power, be it military, economic, or geographic, by national leaders, alongside a rise in protectionist and isolationist tendencies. These changes, she suggested, influence the very nature of dispute resolution mechanisms in ways that mirror the geopolitical tensions that shaped the 19th-century context of the Hague Peace Conferences.
Nevertheless, she emphasised that the tools of dispute settlement are not equipped to solve all of the world’s challenges. In a world where conflicts often revolve around global risks such as climate change, trade imbalances, and human rights, Judge Donoghue argued that the international dispute settlement community must seize opportunities to advance the goals and values established over a century ago.
The Strengths of Contemporary Dispute Settlement
In discussing contemporary international dispute settlement, Judge Donoghue recognized several strengths that have evolved over the years. The institutionalization of mechanisms such as international arbitration and adjudication has allowed the field to thrive, supported by a diverse and increasingly global profession. She pointed to the success of international arbitration, citing the numerous institutions and conventions that have emerged to support the resolution of commercial disputes, investor-state disputes, and state-to-state disputes.
“The existence of so many vibrant institutions around the world addressing various sorts of disputes has led to what has been called an ecosystem of international dispute settlement.” – Judge Joan Donoghue
Judge Donoghue also acknowledged the rise of alternative dispute resolution (‘ADR’) tools like mediation and conciliation. While these tools hold great promise, their use remains limited compared to arbitration, a discrepancy that Judge Donoghue sought to address. She highlighted the example of the conciliation between Australia and Timor-Leste as a model of success and suggested that further efforts should be made to promote ADR, particularly in contexts where mediation or conciliation can provide a non-adversarial alternative to traditional arbitration.
“I’ve encouraged a collective vote on the continued improvement of our tools and on making dispute settlement truly global.” – Judge Joan Donoghue
Key Priorities for the International Dispute Settlement Community
In closing her address, Judge Donoghue identified three key priorities for the international dispute resolution community moving forward:
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Refining Existing Tools: The first priority, she argued, is to continue improving the tools most frequently used in dispute settlement. These include commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, and state-to-state dispute settlement. While significant progress has already been made, particularly with revisions to arbitration rules and the introduction of new practices, Judge Donoghue urged the community to remain responsive to new challenges, particularly those posed by technological advancements such as artificial intelligence.
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Exploring New Tools and Mechanisms: The second priority involves looking beyond established methods and considering the use of underutilized tools such as mediation and conciliation. While the international legal community is increasingly aware of the potential benefits of these tools, their uptake remains limited. Judge Donoghue suggested that case studies, such as the Australia-Timor-Leste conciliation, should be studied and showcased as examples of successful dispute resolution through non-binding methods. She also addressed the complexities of combining different dispute settlement tools and emphasised the need for clarity regarding when arbitration or mediation is the most appropriate path.
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Strengthening Global Representation: Finally, Judge Donoghue underscored the importance of continuing efforts to make international dispute settlement more truly global. While some progress has been made, particularly with the rise of vibrant dispute settlement institutions in regions such as Singapore, Dubai, and India, Judge Donoghue expressed concern that the discourse around global inclusivity is often framed by perspectives from the global north. She advocated for a more reciprocal approach, where all nations, regardless of their regional or geopolitical standing, contribute to shaping the future of international dispute settlement.
“The members of our profession bear a responsibility as stewards of an ecosystem of international dispute settlement to demonstrate in all that we do, individually and collectively, the power of international dispute settlement as a means of promoting reliability in international interactions and advancing shared values.” – Judge Joan Donoghue
The Role of International Dispute Settlement in Promoting Global Stability
Judge Donoghue concluded her address by emphasising that the role of international dispute settlement goes beyond the mere resolution of disputes. In an increasingly interconnected world, the integrity of international commitments, whether in the form of treaties, contracts, or national laws, relies heavily on the reliability of dispute settlement mechanisms. She also reminded the audience of the shared values of liberal democracies, particularly the impartiality and independence of adjudicators, which stand in contrast to the authoritarian regimes that suppress political opposition.
The international dispute resolution community, Judge Donoghue stressed, has a critical responsibility to uphold the principles of impartiality and reliability. By doing so, it not only facilitates the resolution of disputes but also strengthens the foundations of global stability. She urged those present at the conference to seize the opportunities to advance these goals, concluding with a call to action for all involved in international dispute settlement to continue working together in this vital endeavor.
