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.
The annual conference, conference dinner, and a series of networking events will run from 23-25 April in the city. The welcome address will be delivered by Phillip Landolt FCIArb, Ciarb European Branch President, and Cesar Pereira C.Arb FCIArb, Ciarb’s 2026 President.
Panel topics will include international arbitration and failing court systems, international arbitration and fundamental rights, and managing complex public interest issues in international arbitration.
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 more information, and to register to attend, visit the event page.
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.
