Attendance at the dinner for the 21^st ASCOLA conference on Thursday 2^nd July.

Our traditional Conference Dinner will take place on Thursday evening in the homely and distinctly British setting of Goodenough College.

The night will begin with pre-dinner drinks, followed by a seated dinner. We’ll then conclude the evening with music and dancing, an ideal chance to unwind and celebrate after a busy day of panels.

A social event for ASCOLA Conference attendees:

For those staying on for an extra day, we are also delighted to offer an optional Day 4 excursion to Cambridge, one of the world’s most iconic university cities.

This trip will include the classic Cambridge experience: punting on the River Cam, offering beautiful views of the historic colleges and riverside scenery — a perfect and relaxing way to conclude ASCOLA 2026.

Meeting place: Cambridge Station  

A social event for ASCOLA Conference attendees:
If you would like to explore more of London, we’re organising a social visit to historic Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Thames.

Our first stop will be the Royal Observatory (12:30 Group 1, 13.00 Group 2), home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian, where you can quite literally stand between the eastern and western hemispheres while enjoying sweeping views over London’s skyline and Greenwich Park. The visit includes a guided tour.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Cutty Sark (16:00 Group 2, 16:30 Group 1), the world’s last surviving tea clipper and one of Britain’s most iconic ships. Now a museum, it offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century global trade and maritime life. The visit includes a guided tour.

Meeting point: 12.00 Maze Hill (16 min walk to the Observatory)

Please see the "More Info" Tab

Course overview

What does it take to mediate complex disputes effectively? How can lawyers, parties, and mediators navigate processes marked by multiple parties, high stakes, or intricate subject‑matter? And what indicators signal that a dispute may be particularly challenging to mediate?

This intensive masterclass—led by internationally recognised mediators, practitioners and academics—delves deeply into these questions.

With mediation increasingly central to resolving sophisticated national and international disputes, including high‑profile commercial conflicts and the growing use of mediation in investor–state matters, there is a pressing need for advanced skills and strategic insight. This masterclass equips participants with the tools to meet that need.

Drawing on recent policy and legislative developments around the world, and grounded in real‑world experience, this course provides practical, actionable guidance to help you perform confidently and effectively in this rapidly evolving and strategically important field of dispute resolution.

Key details

Course type: Executive Education
Location: Bentham House, UCL Laws, London
Dates: 22 June 2026 
Duration: 2 - 6pm, followed by a networking reception
Fees: £200 - £400 (early bird rates are available until 22nd May)

Minimum numbers: 10 students

Read more about this course at: 
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/short-courses/executive-education/mediation

This inaugural two-day intensive course helps lawyers navigate recent developments in the complex field of national security law, with ever-increasing volumes of legislation and case law. 

Our course will address six key areas of practice, place them in context, and assess the most difficult questions that have arisen lately. It will give attendees the right perspective from which to understand this new landscape, to allow them to ask the right questions for their own practice. It brings together new statutory schemes and old doctrines, shows how they are related and explains how the relationship can be deployed in argument. In addition, we will introduce a roster of experienced judges and officials with intimate knowledge of these issues, making the course a unique networking opportunity. 

Course Dates
14 & 15 September 2026 from 9am to 5:30pm. 

Click to see the course website for full information about the learning outcomes

Bookings close: Friday 4th September 2026