Discussion Panel "Legal Industry Evolution: From Letter to Digit" ►

At the SPBILF in recent years, the Russian Corporate Counsels Association (RCCA) has consistently focused on the changing role of a corporate counsel in a time of technological breakthrough, digital economy and innovation. RCCA’s consistent emphasis on the topic reflects its commitment to keeping its members at the forefront of the most acute, most pressing challenges faced by corporations and large companies today, in a bid to promote steady nurturing of the pertinent professional qualities and the leadership capacity-building of corporate legal department leaders.

The Russian government adopted its “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” national priority programme in July 2017. The programme’s all-encompassing, system-centric take on the shaping and development of the digital economy strata stands to impact significantly upon a broad spectrum of business specialties pursued by large companies and corporations. The changes that are on the way will entail qualitative shifts in competency requirements for counsels providing legal support to corporations. In fact, the programme envisages the enactment of a series of methodology papers to promote the building of lawyer competencies in the fields of digital economy (para. 1.20 of the Programme’s Road Map).

Who may benefit

The RCCA Discussion Panel on lawyer competencies will provide an ideal forum for the sharing of ideas and experiences pertinent to this crucial topic between the leaders of the legal offices of major Russian enterprises and corporations, who steer the work of thousands of corporate counsels, entrepreneurs and public servants. The task of the speakers will be to set high standards of forward-looking leadership in bringing up a new, “digital” generation of lawyers, and to define the guidelines of competency-building to make sure the lawyers are up to the challenges of a burgeoning digital economy.

Discussion Panel: Investment Arbitration: How to Ensure Fair Play Between Investors and the State ►

The incidence of investment-related disputes between international investors and states continues to steeply increase with every passing year. The year 2017 saw some 65 arbitration proceedings initiated by international investors against state authorities, compared to an annual average of about 20 in the early 2000’s. As disputes become more frequent, the investment arbitration system is itself in the middle of a “turbulence spell.” Criticism of the system mounts and ideas for a reform are heard with increasing frequency. Naturally, the recent political developments in the world also carry significant implications for the investment tribunal system worldwide.

This discussion panel will bring together some of the leading Russian and international investment arbitration experts, arbitrators and government officials in a bid to address these and other issues of topical relevance for the dispute resolution system between foreign investors and states at this juncture.

Who may benefit

All practicing lawyers and researchers specializing in international arbitration and/or cross-border disputes, heads of the in-house legal departments of major corporations, and representatives of government authorities.

Discussion Panel: Evolution of Environment Protection and Natural Resource Management in the Russian Federation: Balancing Public and Private Interests ►

The questions pertaining to the adverse environmental impact of human endeavours loom ever larger in global economics and politics. Indeed, our answers to those questions will define the international competitiveness of Russian companies. This being a sphere where the interests of the state, the business community and the public are tightly interlaced, it is imperative that we find a balanced regulatory approach that would accommodate all public and private interests, the applicable precepts of Russian and international law, and international best practice.

Who may benefit

This discussion panel will be particular interest to those organizations whose business has a major impact on the environment: air, water or soil. This would be mining and processing companies, petrochemical producers and similarly engaged businesses, as well as government agencies that make national policy decisions and represent public interests in the field of environmental management.