Ciarb European Branch announces 2026 annual conference and keynote speaker
Ciarb European Branch has confirmed its 2026 annual conference will explore ‘international arbitration and the rule of law’ while the keynote address will be delivered by First Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Maciej Szpunar, a native of Kraków, where the conference will be held.
Ciarb European Branch’s AGM will be held on Thursday 23 April 2026, while the annual conference and gala dinner will take place on Friday 24 April 2026. The Arbitration Association of Central and Eastern Europe will also host an event in Kraków on 23 April 2026 to coincide with the annual conference.
For the 2026 annual conference, panel topics will likely include international arbitration and failing court systems, international arbitration and fundamental rights, and managing complex public interest issues in international arbitration.
Maciej Szpunar is First Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union and Professor at the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland). He obtained his LL.M. from the College of Europe, Bruges. He has held the office of Advocate General since 2013. In 2018, he was elected First Advocate General for the period 2018-2021. In 2021, Maciej was re-elected First Advocate General until 2024.
Maciej was Undersecretary of State at the Office of the Committee for European Integration (2008-2009) and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2010-2013). He is a member of the Research Group on Existing EC Private Law (Acquis Group) and the European Group for Private International Law. He is an Associate Member of the International Academy of Comparative Law and serves on the Board of Trustees at the European Law Academy in Trier. He is President of the Polish Association of European Law.
