Bars Across attends India–UK legal dialogue at Guildhall during London International Disputes Week

London, 1 June 2026: Bars Across attended “India and the UK – courts, commerce and culture”, a joint event hosted by The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Arbitration Bar of India at Guildhall, City of London, as part of London International Disputes Week 2026. 

The event brought together members of the legal profession from India and the United Kingdom for an evening focused on the historic, commercial and legal relationship between the two jurisdictions. Held at the Guildhall Art Gallery, the programme reflected on the continuing relevance of India–UK engagement in international arbitration, dispute resolution and cross-border legal practice. 

The evening opened with remarks from Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar of England and Wales, and Gourab Banerji, Senior Advocate, President of the Arbitration Bar of India. Their remarks highlighted the importance of professional collaboration between Indian and UK lawyers, particularly at a time when international arbitration continues to play a central role in supporting global commerce. 

The programme also featured a fireside conversation with acclaimed author and historian William Dalrymple, whose discussion placed India’s present-day global role within a much wider historical context. Drawing on themes of trade, culture and ideas, the conversation reflected on India’s longstanding influence across regions and its continuing relevance in today’s international legal and commercial landscape. 

A key theme of the evening was the connection between history, commerce and law. The discussions explored how India’s historical position as a centre of exchange and ideas continues to resonate in modern conversations around arbitration, mediation and international dispute resolution. The event also underlined the value of legal systems learning from one another, particularly as businesses increasingly operate across borders and require trusted mechanisms for resolving disputes. 

For the legal community, the event served as a timely reminder of the depth of the India–UK relationship and the opportunities for continued collaboration between practitioners, institutions and dispute resolution professionals. It also reflected the growing importance of India’s role in the global arbitration landscape and the relevance of dialogue between jurisdictions in strengthening commercial and professional ties. 

The evening concluded with a networking reception, allowing attendees from both jurisdictions to continue conversations around arbitration, legal cooperation and future India–UK engagement. 

Bars Across extends its appreciation to The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Arbitration Bar of India for hosting a meaningful event that brought together law, commerce, culture and cross-border professional dialogue during London International Disputes Week.