National Law University Delhi, in collaboration with Uppsala University, Sweden, has announced the European–South Asian Investment Arbitration Bootcamp 2026, a five-day intensive programme scheduled for 9–13 November 2026. The initiative aims to bridge the expertise gap between Europe and South Asia in the rapidly evolving field of international investment law and dispute resolution. With a registration fee set at ₹10,000, the bootcamp is open to law students, in-house counsels, public officials, and other professionals seeking hands-on training from leading global practitioners and academics.

The programme is structured to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary investment arbitration, economic security issues, and the unique challenges confronting European and South Asian jurisdictions. The agenda combines expert lectures, practical workshops, and career-focused discussions, ensuring that attendees gain cutting-edge knowledge in a concise, high-impact format. The bootcamp is part of a broader effort to foster mutual exchange and create added value for both regions, as articulated in the programme's official materials: "The Uppsala - NLU Delhi Investment Arbitration Bootcamp 2026 aims to build a bridge between Europe and South Asia, enabling the mutual exchange of expertise and creating added value for both regions."

This annual event is hosted by the CELIS Institute, Berlin, in partnership with NLU Delhi and Uppsala University. The 2026 edition features an exceptionally distinguished faculty drawn from across the globe, including former judges of the Supreme Court of India, leading European academics, and prominent arbitration practitioners.

Eminent Faculty and Global Perspectives The faculty list reads like a who’s who of international investment law. Justice L. Nageswara Rao, a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India who authored over 220 judgments during his tenure, will share insights from his extensive experience in domestic and international arbitration. Justice (Dr.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, also a former Supreme Court judge and now an International Judge at the Singapore International Commercial Court, brings his wealth of knowledge from authoring more than 4,700 judgments. Prof. Dr. M. Sornarajah, Emeritus Professor at the National University of Singapore and author of the seminal The International Law on Foreign Investment , will lend his theoretical and practical expertise. Prof. Dr. Steffen Hindelang, Professor of International Investment and Trade Law at Uppsala University and Executive Director of the CELIS Institute, adds a European regulatory perspective. Other notable faculty include Prof. Dr. Marcin Kałduński from Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lorena Fatás Pérez from Squire Patton Boggs, Prof. Dr. Giorgio Fabio Colombo from Ca' Foscari University Venice, and Prof. Dr. Risham Garg, Registrar of NLU Delhi. Indian practitioners such as Shreyas Jayasimha, Founding Partner of Aarna Law, and Shravan Yammanur, Partner at Dentons Link Legal, will provide on-the-ground insights into South Asian investment disputes. The participation of Prof. Dr. Wei Shen, a KoGuan Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Law School, adds an East Asian dimension to the comparative law discussions.

Registration, Fees, and Practical Details Interested participants must complete an online registration form and pay the ₹10,000 fee to secure their place. The organisers have set a final registration deadline of 20 October 2026. The fee is non-refundable except in the event that the programme is cancelled by the organisers. Lunch and accommodation are not included in the course fee and must be arranged independently. The programme's brochure notes that the course fee is non-refundable, "except in case the programme is cancelled by the organisers," and advises participants to plan their logistics accordingly. Joining instructions will be shared with confirmed participants closer to the programme dates.

The bootcamp is supported by a range of sponsors and partners. Gold sponsor Aarna Law, a boutique firm focusing on cross-border disputes, joins silver sponsors P&A Law Offices, Samanjasya ODR, and Dentons Link Legal. The knowledge partner is Transnational Legal Advisers, and the media partner is Transnational Dispute Management (TDM). The event is organised collaboratively by the NLU Delhi Foundation, the Uppsala Master’s Programme in Investment Treaty Arbitration, the CELIS Institute, and the Centre for Transnational Commercial Law (CTCL) at NLU Delhi.

Significance for the Investment Arbitration Community This bootcamp arrives at a critical juncture for international investment law, where reform discussions and geopolitical shifts are reshaping the dispute resolution landscape. South Asia, in particular, is experiencing a surge in investor-state disputes and is actively renegotiating its treaty network. The programme aims to equip participants with the tools needed to navigate these complexities. By bringing together European and South Asian perspectives, the bootcamp seeks to foster a more nuanced understanding of economic security and the role of arbitration in sustainable development. The inclusion of practical workshops—conducted by experts such as Prof. Dr. Giorgio Fabio Colombo, an attorney-at-law and arbitrator listed with multiple Asian and European institutions, and Dr. Argha Kumar Jena, Founding Partner at Transnational Legal Advisers—ensures that theoretical knowledge is complemented by hands-on training in drafting submissions, examining witnesses, and analysing awards.

Next Steps for Aspiring Participants With the registration window open until 20 October 2026, interested individuals are encouraged to apply early to secure one of the limited seats. The organisers have provided a dedicated email address (adr.odr.bit@nludelhi.ac.in) for queries related to registration or payment glitches. Detailed logistics, including venue and schedule, will be communicated after confirmation. As the brochure emphasises, the bootcamp is designed as an "exclusive, intensive five-day program tailored for South Asian and European students, in-house lawyers, and public officials," ensuring a focused and high-value learning experience. Given the star-studded faculty and the strategic importance of the subject matter, this bootcamp represents a unique professional development opportunity for anyone serious about a career in international investment arbitration and trade law.