Bertie Ahern among speakers at DIDW
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a senior panel of leading judges will be among the participants in Dublin International Disputes Week (DIDW).
Channel 4’s lead anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy is also lined up to speak at the international legal conference taking place in Dublin from Monday 19 October to Thursday 23 October.
Now in its fourth year, DIDW is organised by Ireland for Law, the Government’s initiative to promote Irish law and legal services globally.
With over 300 delegates expected from Ireland, Britain, the US, and beyond, the event will take place in venues across Dublin – including the National Concert Hall, the Distillery at the Bar of Ireland, and the College Green Hotel.
Lessons from peace process
Ahern will take part in a conversation with other voices involved in the historic negotiations on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
The discussion, chaired by former RTÉ journalist Eileen Dunne, will explore lessons from the peace process and its relevance to international dispute resolution today.
Mr Justice David Barniville (President of the High Court) will chair a judicial panel exploring ‘The importance of the rule of law and a robust legal system for business and economic development’.
The session will include insights from Chief Justice Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell and Dame Siobhan Keegan (Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland).
Global media perspective
An address from Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the award-winning broadcaster and Channel 4 News anchor, will bring a global media perspective to legal and geopolitical developments at the gala dinner for delegates.
In addition to the main two-day conference, DIDW events throughout the week will address emerging challenges and innovations in global dispute resolution, arbitration, and legal practice.
Other speakers confirmed for DIDW 2025 include:
- Jim O’Callaghan (Minister for Justice),
- Rossa Fanning SC (Attorney General),
- Richard Turney KC (Landmark Chambers),
- Katie Chandler (Taylor Wessing),
- Mr Justice Liam Kennedy,
- Davi Pere (Avocat Général, Paris), and
- Lucy Pert (co-head of commercial disputes, Hausfeld).
The organisers say that more speakers will be announced as continues to develop.