Half-Year May Conference
Bruges, Belgium
27 May 2026 - 30 May 2026
Track #1: The New Economy – Legal Challenges in Times of Change
Wednesday 27 May 2026 | |
| 13:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 14:00 » 17:00 | Extended Bureau Meeting |
| 15:00 » 17:00 | SCILL Public Speaking Crash Course |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | First Timers' Gathering at Stadhuis (City Hall) Address: Burg 12, 8000 Bruges, Belgium Is this your first AIJA event? Come and meet other first-timers, more experienced attendees, and AIJA officers. Get to know the AIJA spirit and enjoy the event to the fullest! |
| 18:30 » 20:30 | Welcome Reception at Provincial Palace Address: Markt 3, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 20:30 | Optional Dinner at Several Restaurants |
Thursday 28 May 2026 | |
| 07:00 » 08:00 | AIJA Run for Human Rights |
| 08:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:00 » 09:20 | Welcome to the Half-Year May Conference 2026 Welcome Address by AIJA President Arthur Stüssi |
| 09:20 » 10:45 | Plenary Session - From Battlefield to Civil Sky: Legal Challenges in Drone Defense Alliances, Public Procurement, Transport Organised by Transport and Logistics Law, Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IP/TMT) and Public Procurement Law (PPL) Commissions As nations invest in drone technologies through joint defense initiatives, legal questions around dual-use capabilities are growing more complex. This panel will explore how cross-border alliances navigate public procurement, IP protection, and regulation, focusing on technologies that bridge civilian and defense applications. Speakers will also address liability, standardisation, and compliance, offering guidance for lawyers in this rapidly evolving field. Moderator:
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| 10:45 » 11:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:15 » 12:30 | Plenary Session - Pay, Fight, or Freeze? The Legal Fallout of Ransomware Attacks Organised by Litigation and Business Crime and Civil Fraud Commissions and Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) and In-House Counsel Boards In the global cyber battlefield, ransomware attacks have emerged as one of the most disruptive - and lucrative - forms of digital extortion. These attacks do not just paralyse systems; they create a cascade of legal, regulatory, and reputational crises for victims across borders. This session will examine the legal complexities of ransomware from tracing crypto-ransom payments and coordinating with law enforcement and cross-border asset recovery. We will also explore the fine line between victim response and criminal liability, and how lawyers can help clients safeguard both operational resilience and fundamental freedoms in a world where technology is weaponised. Moderators:
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| 12:30 » 14:00 | Networking Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:00 | Session 1 - From Global to Local: Corporate Fragmentation and Legal Fallout in a World of Economic Nationalism Organised by Corporate and M&A and Insolvency Commissions Globalisation is being reshaped by rising protectionism, trade wars, and localisation requirements, forcing multinational groups to rethink or even dismantle long-standing cross-border structures. This panel will explore the legal and financial challenges of strategic or forced de-integration, from spin-offs and carve-outs to governance conflicts and creditor risks. With insights from key sectors such as tech, pharma, and critical infrastructure, the session will highlight how lawyers can guide clients through politically driven reorganizations in an increasingly fragmented global economy. Speakers:
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| 15:00 » 15:30 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Session 2 - Pills, Politics, and Protectionism: Legal Strategies in the Battle for Medicine Supply Chains Organised by Healthcare and Life Sciences and T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commissions The pandemic revealed the fragility of global medicine supply chains, prompting governments to adopt protectionist measures such as the EU’s Critical Medicines Act and U.S. reshoring policies. This session will explore how lawyers can help life sciences companies navigate export restrictions, regulatory reforms, and geopolitical risks while building resilient and compliant supply chains. Moderator:
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| 16:30 » 17:15 | Joint Academic Programme Committee (APC) & Officers of the Commissions Committee (OCC) Meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:15 | National Representatives Committee (NRC) Meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:15 | Human Rights Committee (HRC) meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:15 | Commission Meetings I |
| 19:30 » 02:00 | Conference Dinner & Afterparty at Port Bleu Address: Vismijnstraat 83, 8380 Bruges, Belgium |
Friday 29 May 2026 | |
| 08:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:00 » 09:45 | Commission Meetings II |
| 09:45 » 10:30 | Commission Meetings III |
| 10:30 » 11:45 | Session 3 - Friend-shoring and the New Logistics Landscape: Financing Real Estate for Shifting Supply Chains and Strategic Infrastructure Organised by Banking, Finance and Capital Markets and Real Estate Commissions Geopolitical tensions are pushing companies to reconfigure supply chains and strategic infrastructure by relocating to “friendly” countries. This friend shoring trend is driving a rise in cross border industrial real estate projects that require innovative financing structures. In this panel, real estate and banking lawyers will discuss legal strategies for financing and developing logistics hubs, manufacturing facilities, energy storage, and defense infrastructure in politically aligned jurisdictions. The discussion will also examine the effects of rising construction costs, shifting investment geographies, government incentives, and protectionist trade measures, highlighting how counsel can help clients secure funding and approvals across multiple jurisdictions under evolving regulatory frameworks. As geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and fast-evolving technologies converge, business crime is becoming more complex and harder to contain. |
| 11:45 » 12:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 12:15 » 13:30 | Session 4 - Global Platforms, Fragmented Laws: Navigating the Legal Maze of Cross-Border Activities Organised by International Business Law (+ Sports Law) and Antitrust Commissions Digital platforms are transforming global business models while raising complex challenges at the intersection of international business law and antitrust enforcement. This panel will explore how new regulations and competition scrutiny impact platform governance, liability, and market access across jurisdictions. With insights from global enforcement trends, speakers will discuss how companies can stay compliant, mitigate risks, and scale digital business models sustainably. Moderator:
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| 13:30 » 14:30 | Networking Lunch |
| 14:30 » 15:45 | Session 5 - Substance Over Location: Rethinking Tax Residency in a Mobile World Organised by International Private Clients and Family and Tax Law Commissions In a world of mobility and global lifestyles, tax residency has become increasingly contested, with major implications not only for taxation but also inheritance, divorce, and family governance. This session will examine how shifting residency status affects private clients, founders, and globally mobile families, exploring the interplay between tax audits, succession planning, matrimonial disputes, and cross-border family structures. Practical insights will focus on sustaining residency claims, mitigating risks, and navigating disputes in an era of stricter enforcement. Moderator:
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| 15:45 » 16:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 16:00 » 18:30 | Executive Committee Meeting |
| 20:00 » 23:00 | Home Hospitality Dinner |
| 23:00 » 03:00 | Home Hospitality Afterparty at Bruges Beer Experience Address: Breidelstraat 3, 8000 Bruges, Belgium  |
Saturday 30 May 2026 | |
| 09:00 » 13:30 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at St Magdalene’s Church Address: Stalijzerstraat 19, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:30 » 10:15 | OC Seminar Crash Course – Top Tips for Organising a Seminar The OC Seminar Crash Course provides a comprehensive guide on successfully organising AIJA seminars. Open to all members—whether experienced event organizers, new members, or First Timers—the course is designed to equip anyone interested in contributing to seminar organisation with the essential skills and knowledge for successful AIJA event planning. |
| 10:30 » 11:30 | Plenary Session - What’s the future of/with AI? Keynote Speaker: Prof. Lode Lauwaert, KU Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven), Belgium |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 12:00 » 13:30 | Human Rights Committee (HRC) Plenary Session - Legal aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: leading cases before the International Court of Justice The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a long‑standing and far‑reaching dispute. This session will focus on selected legal aspects of the conflict, namely two leading cases handled by the International Court of Justice:
Moderators:
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| 15:00 » 17:00 | Optional City Tours |
| 19:30 » 03:00 | Gala Dinner & Afterparty at La Brugeoise Address: Vaartdijkstraat 7, 8200 Bruges, Belgium  |
Track #2: In the Crossfire – Technology, Law, and the Defense of Freedoms
Wednesday 27 May 2026 | |
| 13:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 14:00 » 17:00 | Extended Bureau Meeting |
| 15:00 » 17:00 | SCILL Public Speaking Crash Course |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | First Timers' Gathering at Stadhuis (City Hall) Address: Burg 12, 8000 Bruges, Belgium Is this your first AIJA event? Come and meet other first-timers, more experienced attendees, and AIJA officers. Get to know the AIJA spirit and enjoy the event to the fullest! |
| 18:30 » 20:30 | Welcome Reception at Provincial Palace Address: Markt 3, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 20:30 | Optional Dinner at Several Restaurants |
Thursday 28 May 2026 | |
| 07:00 » 08:00 | AIJA Run for Human Rights |
| 08:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:00 » 09:20 | Welcome to the Half-Year May Conference 2026 Welcome Address by AIJA President Arthur Stüssi |
| 09:20 » 10:45 | Plenary Session - From Battlefield to Civil Sky: Legal Challenges in Drone Defense Alliances, Public Procurement, Transport Organised by Transport and Logistics Law, Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IP/TMT) and Public Procurement Law (PPL) Commissions As nations invest in drone technologies through joint defense initiatives, legal questions around dual-use capabilities are growing more complex. This panel will explore how cross-border alliances navigate public procurement, IP protection, and regulation, focusing on technologies that bridge civilian and defense applications. Speakers will also address liability, standardisation, and compliance, offering guidance for lawyers in this rapidly evolving field. Moderator:
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| 10:45 » 11:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:15 » 12:30 | Plenary Session - Pay, Fight, or Freeze? The Legal Fallout of Ransomware Attacks Organised by Litigation and Business Crime and Civil Fraud Commissions and Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) and In-House Counsel Boards In the global cyber battlefield, ransomware attacks have emerged as one of the most disruptive - and lucrative - forms of digital extortion. These attacks do not just paralyse systems; they create a cascade of legal, regulatory, and reputational crises for victims across borders. This session will examine the legal complexities of ransomware from tracing crypto-ransom payments and coordinating with law enforcement and cross-border asset recovery. We will also explore the fine line between victim response and criminal liability, and how lawyers can help clients safeguard both operational resilience and fundamental freedoms in a world where technology is weaponised. Moderators:
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| 12:30 » 14:00 | Networking Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:00 | Session 1 - Algorithm vs Advocate: AI-Generated Evidence in Arbitration and Litigation Organised by International Arbitration and Litigation Commissions Artificial intelligence is reshaping not only legal work but also the nature of evidence. From AI-generated documents to deepfakes, predictive analytics, and manipulated metadata, the line between truth and simulation is blurring. This panel will explore how courts and arbitral tribunals are confronting these evidentiary challenges - from questions of authenticity, reliability, and admissibility to the right to challenge algorithmic proof - offering practical strategies for litigators and arbitrators facing this new evidentiary battlefield. Moderators:
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| 15:00 » 15:30 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Session 2 - Arbitrating Innovation: Intellectual Property Disputes in a Fragmented Global Order Organised by International Arbitration and Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IP/TMT) Commissions As technological leadership becomes both a strategic asset and a source of geopolitical tension, cross-border intellectual property disputes are growing more frequent, complex, and sensitive. This panel will examine the use of arbitration to resolve high-stakes IP disputes involving patented technologies, advanced software, trade secrets, and complex licensing, and will address challenges of arbitrability, enforcement, and confidentiality. Moderators:
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| 16:30 » 17:15 | Joint Academic Programme Committee (APC) & Officers of the Commissions Committee (OCC) Meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:15 | National Representatives Committee (NRC) Meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:15 | Human Rights Committee (HRC) meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:15 | Commission Meetings I |
| 19:30 » 02:00 | Conference Dinner & Afterparty at Port Bleu Address: Vismijnstraat 83, 8380 Bruges, Belgium |
Friday 29 May 2026 | |
| 08:00 » 18:00 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at BMCC (The Bruges Exhibition, Meeting and Congress Centre) Address: Beursplein 1, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:00 » 09:45 | Commission Meetings II |
| 09:45 » 10:30 | Commission Meetings III |
| 10:30 » 11:45 | Session 3 - Dissecting the AI-Act: Concrete cases where clients were advised Organised by Labor Law (+ Immigration Law), Environmental and Energy Law and Healthcare and Life Sciences Commissions As the EU AI Act nears implementation, legal advisors are shifting from theory to practice. This panel will explore real-world cases involving AI classification, high-risk use assessments, compliance planning, and liability exposure. From startups building generative models to companies deploying AI in HR, energy, environment, or health, speakers will share advisory experiences, highlight grey areas, and discuss how to future-proof client strategies as the regulation begins to reshape the legal landscape. Moderator:
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| 11:45 » 12:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 12:15 » 13:30 | Session 4 - Practical AI Use: Mastering Billable and Nonbillable Workflows Organised by Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Board Artificial intelligence is already transforming how law firms and legal departments research, draft, manage matters, and deliver value. Despite growing interest and an expanding range of tools, many professionals still struggle to move from experimentation to consistent and compliant use. This panel focuses on how lawyers are using AI today to improve both billable and nonbillable workflows. Bringing together tech savvy law firm and in-house counsel with representatives from leading legal AI providers, the discussion will explore real world use cases, adoption strategies, and practical guardrails. Panelists will share what works, what doesn’t, and how AI can be integrated into daily practice while preserving professional judgment, confidentiality, and ethical standards. The session will also address key AI applications across the legal workflow, platform comparisons, emerging build your own and vibe coding tools, and how organizations balance billable efficiency gains with nonbillable productivity and quality of life improvements. Moderator:
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| 13:30 » 14:30 | Networking Lunch |
| 14:30 » 15:45 | Session 5 - Weaponising the Narrative: Legal Challenges in the Age of Disinformation Organised by Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IP/TMT) and T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commissions As information moves at algorithmic speed, disinformation is becoming a strategic weapon in politics, business, and public debate. AI-generated deepfakes, bot networks, and manipulative advertising can distort markets, damage reputations, and impact cross-border trade. This panel will examine how frameworks like the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Code of Practice on Disinformation are reshaping platform duties and helping lawyers protect companies from AI-driven disinformation. Moderators:
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| 15:45 » 16:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 16:00 » 18:30 | Executive Committee Meeting |
| 20:00 » 23:00 | Home Hospitality Dinner |
| 23:00 » 03:00 | Home Hospitality Afterparty at Bruges Beer Experience Address: Breidelstraat 3, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
Saturday 30 May 2026 | |
| 09:00 » 13:30 | Registration & Open Welcome Desk at St Magdalene’s Church Address: Stalijzerstraat 19, 8000 Bruges, Belgium |
| 09:30 » 10:15 | OC Seminar Crash Course – Top Tips for Organising a Seminar The OC Seminar Crash Course provides a comprehensive guide on successfully organising AIJA seminars. Open to all members—whether experienced event organizers, new members, or First Timers—the course is designed to equip anyone interested in contributing to seminar organisation with the essential skills and knowledge for successful AIJA event planning. |
| 10:30 » 11:30 | Plenary Session - What’s the future of/with AI? Keynote Speaker: Prof. Lode Lauwaert, KU Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven), Belgium |
| 11:30 » 12:00 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 12:00 » 13:30 | Human Rights Committee (HRC) Plenary Session - Legal aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: leading cases before the International Court of Justice The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a long‑standing and far‑reaching dispute. This session will focus on selected legal aspects of the conflict, namely two leading cases handled by the International Court of Justice:
Moderators:
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| 15:00 » 17:00 | Optional City Tours |
| 19:30 » 03:00 | Gala Dinner & Afterparty at La Brugeoise Address: Vaartdijkstraat 7, 8200 Bruges, Belgium |
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