Contract - the Virtual Summer Series 2026

Our new online conference will consider some of the most important developments which have an impact on you and the advice you provide to your clients, with topics ranging from practical lessons to be learned to inform your drafting and notice provisions to the ethics of artificial intelligence and current themes in intellectual property licensing and competition law.

Chaired by Alastair Dunn of BTO, the conference will include contributions from Ross Taylor of Gunnercooke, Professor Brandon Malone, Colin Miller from BTO, Megan Dewart of Axiom Advocates, and Professor Oles Andriychuk from the University of Exeter.

What's being covered?

New tales from the drafting coalface

This practical session looks at real life instances where drafting issues in contracts have offered up competing interpretations at the heart of commercial disputes. The session also looks at how such issues arise and practical steps which can be taken to mitigate risk in red flag areas of contracts.

Alastair Dunn, BTO

Ethics and artificial intelligence

• What are the ethical considerations for lawyers using AI to advise a client?
• Contracts drafted (and executed) AI: what to advise?
• Is it ethical to let a machine determine your client’s dispute?

Professor Brandon Malone

Did you notice me?

Contracts often include provisions about the service of notices, such as what they must say, how they are to be served, and by whom they must be given or received.  Sometimes contracts make no such provisions.  If a notice is required to bring about a state of affairs, or to open up rights and obligations, its form, substance and intent; and the method of its service can be crucial. This session shall take a look at some recent case law on the topic and will give some pointers to good drafting.

Ross Taylor, Gunnercooke

Contract caselaw update

A review of some of the most important contract law cases recently decided and the possible implications of those decisions for your advice.

Megan Dewart, Axiom Advocates

IP licensing - key considerations and potential pitfalls

The careful consideration of intellectual property rights is essential for many clients. This session will look at some of the most important contractual aspects of IP licensing and indicate where particular care should be taken by those advising licensors and licensees.

Colin Miller, BTO

Regulating competition in UK & EU digital Markets: latest developments

This presentation will outline and compare UK & EU regimes for regulating competition in digital markets through the prism of the latest cases and investigations. Advantages and shortcomings of both systems and the implications for your clients’ contracts may be examined and illustrated.

Professor Oles Andriychuk, University of Exeter