London International Disputes Week Refreshes Board with Double Appointment

Why It Matters

The appointments signal LIDW’s commitment to strengthening London’s position as a premier global disputes hub, enhancing its strategic direction and international appeal. Their expertise is expected to drive higher attendance and deeper engagement with arbitration, litigation, and mediation communities.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah Longden joins LIDW board as COO of Quadrant Chambers
• Sherina Petit adds arbitration expertise from Stewarts
• New board aims to boost LIDW’s global outreach
• LIDW’s Arbitration Day scheduled at top law firms
• LIDW runs June 1‑5, positioning London as disputes hub

Pulse Analysis

London International Disputes Week has become a cornerstone event for the global disputes community, drawing practitioners from arbitration, litigation and mediation. Since its pandemic‑era reboot, LIDW has leveraged digital tools, refined branding, and expanded its program to set attendance records. The week’s timing in early June aligns with the city’s broader strategy to showcase London as a resilient legal services centre, competing with other international hubs for high‑value cross‑border work.

The board refresh introduces two seasoned leaders whose backgrounds complement LIDW’s growth agenda. Sarah Longden, with three decades in the legal sector and recent COO role at Quadrant Chambers, has been instrumental in LIDW’s marketing and data‑driven engagement. Sherina Petit, a Stewarts partner heading its international arbitration practice and India desk, brings deep arbitration experience and a network that spans multiple jurisdictions. Their combined expertise is expected to sharpen LIDW’s strategic focus, attract more international participants, and deepen partnerships with leading law firms.

Looking ahead, LIDW’s flagship Arbitration Day—hosted at 3 Verulam Buildings, Gibson Dunn, and Debevoise & Plimpton—will showcase cutting‑edge dispute resolution trends and reinforce English law’s influence. The refreshed board’s emphasis on global outreach and innovation positions the event to capture emerging market demand, especially in Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East. As London seeks to maintain its status as a disputes hub, LIDW’s evolution under this new leadership could set the benchmark for future legal conferences worldwide.