International Conference | Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes | School of Law | CHRIST (Deemed to be University) | Bengaluru | Submit by 25th September 2026

International Conference | Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes | School of Law | CHRIST (Deemed to be University) | Bengaluru | Submit by 25th September 2026

Call for Papers: XVII School of Law International Conference 2026–27 on “Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes: Legal Challenges and Emerging Perspectives”

About School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University)

The School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, is a premier institution dedicated to legal education, research and professional excellence. Celebrating a distinguished 20-year legacy, the School of Law is committed to transforming students into accomplished legal professionals with a strong sense of social responsibility.

The School of Law has a vibrant academic community comprising students from across India and abroad and is supported by world-class infrastructure, a resourceful law library, advanced information centres and classrooms, and a dedicated faculty. The School bridges legal theory and practice through a strong industry-academia interface and a wide range of academic and co-curricular activities including moot courts, conferences, ADR competitions, debates and legal aid initiatives.

About the Conference

The XVII SLCU International Conference 2026–27, organised by the Conference Committee, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, will be held on 18–19 December 2026 at the Central Campus of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru.

The Conference is being organised on the theme “Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes: Legal Challenges and Emerging Perspectives.”

The contemporary global commercial landscape is witnessing significant institutional, technological and regulatory changes. International trade law is facing challenges arising from the WTO Appellate Body crisis, trade wars and economic protectionism, while developments in international insolvency, taxation, maritime law and the digital economy have generated novel legal questions concerning cross-border recognition of proceedings, AI-driven navigation, autonomous ships, data privacy and brand enforcement.

Against this backdrop, the Conference seeks to provide a platform for meaningful academic and professional dialogue on the changing nature of cross-border commercial disputes. It aims to bring together national and international participants to examine evolving legal frameworks and develop forward-looking solutions for a resilient and rules-based global order.

The Conference further seeks to bridge the gap between law, policy and practice, while encouraging critical engagement with issues of fairness, accountability, commercial certainty, innovation and sustainable governance.

Conference Partners

The Conference is supported by prominent Institutional and International partners, including Lancaster University Law School, UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence Law and Sustainability, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, University of the Fraser Valley, Lanzhou University Law School, Washington & Lincoln University (WALN), UNCITRAL National Coordination Committee, India, and the International Law Association Committee on AI & Technology Law. 

AZB & Partners is the Law Firm Partner, while Manupatra is the Official Media and Knowledge Partner of the Conference

About Call For Papers

The Conference Committee, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru invites original research papers from law students, research scholars, academicians, legal practitioners, policymakers, industry experts and other researchers for presentation at the XVII SLCU International Conference.

The Conference aims to facilitate critical academic engagement with the multifaceted legal challenges arising from cross-border commercial disputes, particularly in the areas of international commercial arbitration, mediation, investment, trade, insolvency, taxation, maritime law, technology and intellectual property.

The Conference also seeks to identify regulatory gaps, examine emerging legal frameworks and develop forward-looking legal and policy responses to contemporary commercial challenges.

About the Publication

Selected papers, subject to review and editorial approval, shall be considered for publication in a Scopus-indexed Journal, subject to the publication guidelines and the sole discretion of the publisher.

Further selected papers shall be published in an ISBN Book following a rigorous double-blind peer review and editorial process.

The Conference registration fee also includes publication of the paper upon selection without any Article Processing Charges (APC).

Eligibility

The Conference invites participation from:

Students:

Candidates pursuing a 5-year integrated LL.B. (Hons.), 3-year LL.B., LL.M. or equivalent law degree from any recognised university in India or abroad.

Academicians

Faculty members and researchers employed at recognised universities or academic institutions globally.

Research Scholars

Doctoral and post-doctoral researchers enrolled in recognised universities or research institutions worldwide.

Themes

Submissions may address themes including, but not limited to:

Sub-Theme I: International Commercial Arbitration: Evolving Approaches to Cross-Border Dispute Resolution

• Institutional and Ad Hoc Arbitration: Emerging Trends and Procedural Challenges
• Emergency Arbitration, Interim Measures and Online Dispute Resolution
• Jurisdictional Challenges in Cross-Border Disputes and the Evolving Role of the Seat of Arbitration

Sub-Theme II: International Commercial Mediation: Advancing Cross-Border Dispute Resolution

• International Commercial Mediation under the UNCITRAL Model Law and the Singapore Convention
• Cross-Border Enforcement of International Mediated Settlement Agreements
• Institutional and Ad Hoc Commercial Mediation in International Trade

Sub-Theme III: International Investment Law: Emerging Dimensions of Cross-Border Investment Disputes

• Foreign Direct Investment in Emerging Economies
• Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reforms
• International Investment Treaties and Contemporary Reforms

Sub-Theme IV: International Trade Law: Contemporary Challenges in Cross-Border Trade Disputes

• UNCITRAL and the Harmonisation of International Trade Law
• The Appellate Body Crisis and the Future of WTO Dispute Settlement
• Trade Wars and Their Implications on the Multilateral Trading System

Sub-Theme V: Insolvency and Taxation: Emerging Trends and Developments

• Recognition of Foreign Insolvency Proceedings
• Transfer Pricing Disputes in the Digital Economy
• Digital Assets and Cryptocurrencies in Insolvency and Taxation

Sub-Theme VI: International Maritime Law: Navigating Cross-Border Maritime Disputes

• Contractual Friction in Charterparties over IMO Emission Compliance
• Attributing Liability for AI-Driven Navigation and Autonomous Ships
• Ship Arrest and Cross-Border Arbitration

Sub-Theme VII: Technology and Intellectual Property Law: Legal Challenges in the Global Digital Economy

• AI and Cross-Border Data Privacy and Liability
• AI in Cross-Border Commercial Transactions
• Trademark Protection and Brand Enforcement in Global Markets

Allied and interdisciplinary themes relevant to the broader conference theme are also welcome.

Submission Categories

• Abstract: Maximum 250 words
• Full Paper: 3,000–7,000 words, inclusive of references
• Keywords: 5–6 keywords
• Full papers are invited only from authors whose abstracts have been selected after Abstract Qualification.

Formatting Guidelines

• Word Limit: 3,000–7,000 words, inclusive of references
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
• Line Spacing: Double
• Margins: 2.5 cm / 1 inch on all sides
• Title: Bold, with initial capitalisation for proper nouns
• Headings must follow a consistent hierarchy (Refer to Brochure for Details)
• Referencing Style: APA 7th Edition
• File Format: MS Word (.doc/.docx) and PDF
• Manuscripts must be submitted anonymously for evaluation
• File naming format: “Theme_<Name of Author(s)>”

For example:

Single Author: Theme1_Manov Bhowmick

Co-Authors: Theme2_Ann Patel & Manov Bhowmick

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts must not contain identifying information such as author names, institutional affiliations or acknowledgements.
• Author details must be submitted separately through the cover letter.
• The cover letter must include:
  • Sub-theme and title of the paper
  • Name(s) of author(s)
  • Institutional affiliation(s)
  • Contact number and email ID
  • Postal address
  • ORCID ID, if applicable
  • Short biography of not more than 150 words
• Abstracts must clearly indicate the research problem, central argument, methodology/approach and expected contribution.
• Abstracts will be evaluated on relevance, originality, research potential and substantive contribution.
• Selected full-length manuscripts must be submitted in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats.

Note: Authors are requested to strictly adhere to the formatting guidelines prescribed in the official Conference Brochure. The formatting requirements must be followed in their original form and sense, without any alteration, modification, deviation or substitution. Participants are therefore requested to kindly refer to the official brochure and ensure that their submissions comply with all formatting requirements exactly as specified therein.

Important Dates

• 18th August 2026 – Call for Papers
• 25th September 2026 – Last Date for Submission of Abstract
• 4th October 2026 – Selection of Abstracts
• 15th November 2026 – Last Date of Registration
• 1st December 2026 – Last Date for Submission of Full Paper
• 18–19 December 2026 – Conference Dates

Registration Fees

Indian Participants

Single Author:

• Student: ₹2,800/- 
• Research Scholar: ₹3,500/- 
• Professional & Academician: ₹4,000/- 

Co-Author:

• Student: ₹5,000/- 
• Research Scholar: ₹6,500/- 
• Professional & Academician: ₹7,500/- 

International Participants

Single Author:

• Student: USD 50 
• Research Scholar: USD 60 
• Professional & Academician: USD 70 

Co-Author:

• Student: USD 70 
• Research Scholar: USD 90 
• Professional & Academician: USD 110 

The Registration Fee is exclusive of GST.

Note: For co-authored papers involving participants from different categories, the higher category of specialisation/status among the co-authors shall determine the applicable registration fee and final team category.

The registration fee includes the Conference Kit, participation in technical sessions, breakfast, lunch, tea/refreshments, certificate of merit/presentation and publication of the paper upon selection without APC.

Prizes and Recognition

Cash Prizes

The Conference has three award categories:

• Students
• Research Scholars
• Academicians

The top two Best Paper Presenters in each category will receive:

₹12,000/- Cash Prize + Trophy

Thus, a total of six Best Paper Presenters will be recognised with cash prizes and trophies.

Internship Opportunity at AZB & Partners : As a special recognition, student winners, irrespective of their category, will also be offered an internship opportunity at AZB & Partners, subject to the firm’s internal selection policies, procedures and eligibility criteria.

Certificates

• Certificate of Merit for the Best Paper under each sub-theme
• Certificate of Presentation for every participant who successfully presents their research paper at the Conference.

Mode of the Conference

The Conference will be conducted in Hybrid Mode.

• Indian Participants: Paper presentations will be conducted offline at the Conference venue.
• International Participants: Paper presentations will be conducted virtually through the online platform designated by the Organising Committee.

Conference Venue

CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Central Campus

Hosur Road, Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya,

Bangalore – 560029, Karnataka, India.

Submission Procedure

Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the official submission link:

Contact Information

For queries and correspondence:

Email: slcuconference@law.christuniversity.in

Official Brochure

The official conference brochure can be accessed here:

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