Sarah Longden and Sherina Petit join Board in LIDW’s ‘continued evolution as a globally recognised institution’

At a time when London’s role as an international disputes hub is under increasing focus, the appointments of Sarah Longden and Sherina Petit to the London International Disputes Week (LIDW) Board reflect a “continued evolution as a mature, substantive institution with a global presence through its international community,” says Richard Bamforth, Chair of the LIDW Board of Directors. 

Both new Board members have been involved with LIDW for several years. 

Sarah has been an active member of the Strategy Group, “instrumental in driving forward LIDW’s global outreach as a world class legal conference”, while Sherina has helped to embed LIDW with the global community of disputes practitioners. 

“We are delighted to welcome Sarah and Sherina to our Board,” says Richard, a partner and Head of the International Arbitration Group at CMS. “Both exemplify the calibre of leaders committed to positioning London as a centre of global excellence for legal services and innovation – principles that sit at the heart of LIDW26.”

With a theme of “Tradition, trust and transformation in international dispute resolution”, LIDW26 is set to bring together leading international figures across litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution, across 1-5 June. 

LIDW25 welcomed 10,000 in-person attendees (nearly 30,000 total registrations in-person and online), including 1,700 international delegates, from 106 countries.

“I am delighted to join the LIDW Board at a time when London’s role as a global disputes hub is more important than ever, “says Sherina, a dispute resolution partner at Stewarts, and head of the firm’s International Arbitration department and India practice. “Having worked on numerous complex, cross-border disputes, I have seen the continued strength and influence of English law in practice. I look forward to working with the Board to expand LIDW’s international impact and promote London as a centre of excellence across litigation, arbitration and mediation.”

The Chief Operating Officer at Quadrant Chambers, with over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector, Sarah says it has been a pleasure to have been involved with LIDW since its inception in 2019. “Having supported the evolution of LIDW’s marketing, use of data and engagement with its members, the organisation looks very different to where it started,” she adds. “I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement and guiding LIDW through the next period of exciting change”.

LIDW is delivered each year by the Strategy Group, led by the three Co-Chairs, and a series of sub-committees. The Co-Chairs report to the Board, whose role is to provide oversight and long-term strategic direction to the organisation.

Having completed their terms, Ben Giaretta, Partner at Fox Williams LLP and Emily Morris, Director of Marketing and Business Development at 7KBW have stepped down from the LIDW Board. “I would like to thank Ben and Emily for their immense contributions to LIDW,” says Richard. “Both were instrumental in its inception and evolution into becoming a preeminent gathering of the global disputes community.”

LIDW26 will bring together the global disputes community to advance legal excellence and foster meaningful dialogue on the future of international law and justice. This year, it will once again kick off with International Arbitration Day, on Monday, 1 June 2026. Reflecting London’s position as a global centre for international arbitration, keynote addresses and topical panels will be hosted at three ‘hubs’: 3 Verulam Buildings at Gray’s Inn, Debevoise & Plimpton, and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.

The flagship Main Conference will take place on Tuesday, 2 June at the QEII Centre in Westminster, with tickets now on sale at the same price as LIDW25. It will feature senior members of the judiciary, arbitrators, business leaders, in-house and private practice lawyers, barristers, and technology specialists. As reported by Africa Legal, keynote speakers at LIDW26 will include Sean West, a tech founder and author of UNRULY: Fighting Back when Politics, AI and Law Upend the Rules of Business.

LIDW26 will also include a LegalTech Showcase, Gala Dinner and other social events, as well as a diverse programme of more than 150 member-hosted events. 

For more information on LIDW26, including registration, visit the LIDW website.