XVII SLCU International Conference on Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru [18–19 December 2026]

About the University

CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, is a multidisciplinary university with its Central Campus on Hosur Road, Bengaluru. Its School of Law offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in law and organises the SLCU International Conference as its flagship annual academic conference.

About the Conference

The School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) is organising the XVII SLCU International Conference 2026–27 on the theme “Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes: Legal Challenges and Emerging Perspectives” on 18–19 December 2026 at the Central Campus, Bengaluru.

The Conference seeks to bring together academicians, legal practitioners, policymakers, industry experts, research scholars and students to examine the changing nature of cross-border commercial disputes — which now arise at the intersection of international commercial arbitration, investment law, trade governance, insolvency, taxation, maritime commerce, artificial intelligence, data privacy and intellectual property — and to discuss legal frameworks that are efficient, adaptable and commercially certain.

The Conference will be conducted in hybrid mode: paper presentations by Indian participants will be held offline at the venue, while international participants will present in the virtual mode.

Themes and Sub-Themes

Papers are invited under the following sub-themes:

1. International Commercial Arbitration: Evolving Approaches to Cross-Border Dispute Resolution — institutional and ad hoc arbitration; emergency arbitration, interim measures and ODR; jurisdictional challenges and the seat of arbitration
2. International Commercial Mediation: Advancing Cross-Border Dispute Resolution — mediation under the UNCITRAL Model Law and the Singapore Convention; enforcement of mediated settlement agreements
3. International Investment Law: Emerging Dimensions of Cross-Border Investment Disputes — FDI in emerging economies; investor-State dispute settlement reforms; investment treaties
4. International Trade Law: Contemporary Challenges in Cross-Border Trade Disputes — UNCITRAL and harmonisation; the WTO Appellate Body crisis; trade wars
5. Insolvency and Taxation: Emerging Trends and Developments — recognition of foreign insolvency proceedings; transfer pricing in the digital economy; digital assets and cryptocurrencies
6. International Maritime Law: Navigating Cross-Border Maritime Disputes — charterparty frictions over IMO emission compliance; liability for AI-driven navigation and autonomous ships; ship arrest
7. Technology and Intellectual Property Law: Legal Challenges in the Global Digital Economy — AI, data privacy and liability; AI in cross-border transactions; global trademark enforcement

Eligibility

• Students: candidates pursuing a 5-year integrated LL.B. (Hons.), 3-year LL.B., LL.M. or an equivalent law degree from a recognised university in India or abroad
• Academicians: faculty members and researchers at recognised universities or academic institutions
• Research Scholars: doctoral and post-doctoral researchers enrolled in recognised universities or research institutions

Abstracts were to be of not more than 250 words with 5–6 keywords. Full manuscripts should be between 3,000 and 7,000 words, formatted in Times New Roman (12 pt, double spacing), with citations following the APA 7th Edition.

Registration Fees

The registration fee is payable only upon acceptance of the abstract. The fee is exclusive of GST and is non-refundable.

The fee includes the conference kit, participation in all technical sessions, meals and refreshments, a certificate, and publication of the paper (upon selection) without any Article Processing Charges. For co-authored papers across categories, the higher category determines the fee.

Prizes and Publication

• In each category (Students, Academicians and Research Scholars), the top two best paper presenters will receive a cash prize of ₹12,000 each, along with a trophy.
• Student winners will also be offered an internship opportunity at AZB & Partners.
• Selected papers will be considered for publication in a Scopus-indexed journal, and further selected papers will be published in an ISBN book after peer review.
• A Certificate of Merit will be awarded to the best paper under each sub-theme, and a Certificate of Presentation to every participant who presents.

How to Register?

Registration is open to authors whose abstracts have been selected (abstract selection was completed on 4 October 2026). Selected authors must complete registration by 15 November 2026 and submit their full papers by 1 December 2026. The fee is payable through the Online Payment Portal on the official website of CHRIST (Deemed to be University) — christuniversity.in (E-Services → Online Payment Portal; select Category “Other”, Campus “Central Campus”, Fee Name “Events” → “Conference” → “XVII SLCU International Conference 2026”). The payment link is also shared with the abstract acceptance e-mail.

Important Dates

Venue

CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Central Campus, Hosur Road, Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya, Bangalore – 560029, Karnataka. Accommodation is not provided by the University.

For queries, contact the Conference Committee at slcuconference@law.christuniversity.in.