Friday Lunchtime Lecture: 12 October 2007

"Parallel Proceedings in International Litigation" by Campbell McLachlan

Time	:	Lecture starts at 1pm (with a sandwich lunch, sponsored by Cambridge University Press, from 12:30pm
Venue	:	Finley Library, Lauterpacht Centre, 5 Cranmer Road, Cambridge

What should a tribunal do when it is seized of a case which is also being litigated in another forum? The problems posed by parallel proceedings have been confronted by courts and tribunals with increasing frequency in Private International Law, in commercial and investment arbitration, and in Public International Law.

Campbell McLachlan draws upon his research and practical experience in the field to present a fresh analysis of the resulting legal issues. He argues that the results of the enquiry have potentially important consequences not only for the actual outcome in particular cases, but also for our understanding of the nature and operation of the international legal system.

Most recently, Campbell has explored these problems in the context of investment arbitration in his new book (with Shore and Weiniger) International Investment Arbitration: Substantive Principles (published by OUP in July 2007). Whilst a Visiting Fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre, Campbell is completing his research in this area in preparation for giving a Special Course on the topic at the Hague Academy of International Law in July 2008.

Campbell McLachlan QC is Professor of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, specialising in Public and Private International Law; and Barrister (NZ, call 1984, Silk 2007), Bankside Chambers, Auckland and Essex Court Chambers, London.

Educated at Victoria (LL B (Hons), 1984), and at the University of London (Ph D (1988)), he holds the Diploma cum laude of The Hague Academy of International Law (1985). Until his return to New Zealand in 2003, Campbell was a partner in Herbert Smith. He led the firm’s International Law Practice Group, and conducted many international arbitrations and litigations, representing sovereign states, corporations, and international organisations.

Since his return to New Zealand, Campbell has combined international law research and teaching with practice in international arbitration. He is President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law and New Zealand Alternate Member of the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration.

He is a Specialist Editor of the 14th edition of Dicey Morris & Collins on the Conflict of Laws (2006) with special responsibility for Arbitration and Foreign Currency Obligations. His latest book (with Weiniger and Shore) International Investment Arbitration: Substantive Principles, was published by Oxford University Press in July 2007. It is the first modern single-volume analysis of investment treaty law (including parallel proceedings issues).

In July 2008, he will deliver a Special Course on ‘Lis Pendens in International Litigation’ at The Hague Academy of International Law.

The Centre's Friday Lunchtime Lectures are recognised by both the Law Society and the Bar Council as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited courses. Information on other lectures held at the Lauterpacht Centre can be found here.