Public Lectures from the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge

By Faculty of Law, University of CambridgeNews Education Government

Public Lectures from the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge episodes

April 14Panel 2: Is the Architecture of International Justice under threat?
The Sixth Annual Wolfson Sir David Williams Law Society Event was held on 7 March 2026.
This Wolfson College Cambridge event featured two insightful panel discussions with distinguished law professionals; an afternoon tea and a formal dinner to conclude the day.
The event was primarily aimed at Wolfson Law and Criminology alumni, current students, and individuals working in the legal field.
Panel One: Environmental Regulation in the Era of Climate Change
Chair: Tugba Basaran (Wolfson College)
Speakers: Prof Surabhi Ranganathan (Lauterpacht Centre for International Law), Prof Avidan Kent (University of East Anglia), Róisín Finnegan (Barrister, Six Pump Court)

Panel Two: Is the Architecture of International Justice under threat?
Chair: Thomas Grant (Wolfson College)
Speakers: Prof Nicola Padfield (Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice; Former Director, Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice), Isuru Devendra (Barrister, 36 Stone), Marie-Anne Coninsx (first EU Ambassador to the Arctic 2017-2019)

For more information see: https://www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk/about/events/sixth-annual-wolfson-sir-david-williams-law-society-event
38 min
April 14Panel 1: Environmental Regulation in the Era of Climate Change
The Sixth Annual Wolfson Sir David Williams Law Society Event was held on 7 March 2026.
This Wolfson College Cambridge event featured two insightful panel discussions with distinguished law professionals; an afternoon tea and a formal dinner to conclude the day.
The event was primarily aimed at Wolfson Law and Criminology alumni, current students, and individuals working in the legal field.
Panel One: Environmental Regulation in the Era of Climate Change
Chair: Tugba Basaran (Wolfson College)
Speakers: Prof Surabhi Ranganathan (Lauterpacht Centre for International Law), Prof Avidan Kent (University of East Anglia), Róisín Finnegan (Barrister, Six Pump Court)

Panel Two: Is the Architecture of International Justice under threat?
Chair: Thomas Grant (Wolfson College)
Speakers: Prof Nicola Padfield (Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice; Former Director, Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice), Isuru Devendra (Barrister, 36 Stone), Marie-Anne Coninsx (first EU Ambassador to the Arctic 2017-2019)

For more information see: https://www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk/about/events/sixth-annual-wolfson-sir-david-williams-law-society-event
1 hr 2 min
April 01The Rt. Hon. Lord Lloyd-Jones addresses the Exploring Law Conference
In this lecture, delivered at the 51st iteration of the Exploring Law Conference (ELC) at Cambridge, Lord Lloyd-Jones provides an expert overview of the United Kingdom's highest appellate bodies: the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Key themes from the address include:
Constitutional Evolution: The 2005 transition from the "Law Lords" in the House of Lords to an independent Supreme Court, emphasising the separation of powers and increased transparency.
The Supreme Court's Mandate: The court acts as a final arbiter for "points of law of general public importance," deciding cases that shape the development of the law across the UK.
The Value of Dissent: A rigorous defence of the right to issue dissenting judgments, which Lord Lloyd-Jones argues enhances intellectual rigour and signals that the law is a living debate.
The Global Reach of the Privy Council: An exploration of its role as the final court of appeal for 29 overseas jurisdictions, highlighting its unique ability to apply local laws - from common law to the Napoleonic Code.
Constitutional Boundaries: A comparison between the UK’s principle of parliamentary sovereignty - where courts cannot strike down primary legislation - and other jurisdictions where the Privy Council may invalidate unconstitutional laws.

Lord Lloyd-Jones concludes by encouraging the next generation of "high fliers" to pursue careers in the law, promising a rewarding and intellectually stimulating path.
For more information about the Conference, see:
https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/access-outreach/exploring-law-conference
45 min
March 30The Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Europe: Lord Justice Baker
On 28 March 2026 CELS held a seminar event on 'The Rule of Law as a (dis)unifying Value in the European Legal Order?'.
Among the rule of law's many virtues is its capacity to provide a framework for deliberating competing ideas of justice, fairness and equality. Yet a value once widely shared is now increasingly contested in both status and meaning. The Centre held this event to explore these and related questions.
The seminar was structured around four core sub-themes. Each of these will begin with a 20-minute presentation followed by a facilitated discussion:
I:The Nature of Values in Supranational Legal Orders - Nabil H. Khabirpour (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
II: The Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Europe - Lord Justice Baker (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
III: The Rule of Law, the Market, and European Identity - Professor Catherine Barnard (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
IV: Enforcing the Rule of Law as a Value under EU Law - Professor Albertina Albors-Llorens (Video (YouTube) / Audio)

For more information see:
https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/activities-archive
34 min
March 30Enforcing the Rule of Law as a Value under EU Law: Professor Albertina Albors-Llorens
On 28 March 2026 CELS held a seminar event on 'The Rule of Law as a (dis)unifying Value in the European Legal Order?'.
Among the rule of law's many virtues is its capacity to provide a framework for deliberating competing ideas of justice, fairness and equality. Yet a value once widely shared is now increasingly contested in both status and meaning. The Centre held this event to explore these and related questions.
The seminar was structured around four core sub-themes. Each of these will begin with a 20-minute presentation followed by a facilitated discussion:
I:The Nature of Values in Supranational Legal Orders - Nabil H. Khabirpour (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
II: The Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Europe - Lord Justice Baker (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
III: The Rule of Law, the Market, and European Identity - Professor Catherine Barnard (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
IV: Enforcing the Rule of Law as a Value under EU Law - Professor Albertina Albors-Llorens (Video (YouTube) / Audio)

For more information see:
https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/activities-archive
31 min
March 30The Nature of Values in Supranational Legal Orders: Nabil H. Khabirpour
On 28 March 2026 CELS held a seminar event on 'The Rule of Law as a (dis)unifying Value in the European Legal Order?'.
Among the rule of law's many virtues is its capacity to provide a framework for deliberating competing ideas of justice, fairness and equality. Yet a value once widely shared is now increasingly contested in both status and meaning. The Centre held this event to explore these and related questions.
The seminar was structured around four core sub-themes. Each of these will begin with a 20-minute presentation followed by a facilitated discussion:
I:The Nature of Values in Supranational Legal Orders - Nabil H. Khabirpour (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
II: The Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Europe - Lord Justice Baker (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
III: The Rule of Law, the Market, and European Identity - Professor Catherine Barnard (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
IV: Enforcing the Rule of Law as a Value under EU Law - Professor Albertina Albors-Llorens (Video (YouTube) / Audio)

For more information see:
https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/activities-archive
32 min
March 30The Rule of Law, the Market, and European Identity: Professor Catherine Barnard
On 28 March 2026 CELS held a seminar event on 'The Rule of Law as a (dis)unifying Value in the European Legal Order?'.
Among the rule of law's many virtues is its capacity to provide a framework for deliberating competing ideas of justice, fairness and equality. Yet a value once widely shared is now increasingly contested in both status and meaning. The Centre held this event to explore these and related questions.
The seminar was structured around four core sub-themes. Each of these will begin with a 20-minute presentation followed by a facilitated discussion:
I:The Nature of Values in Supranational Legal Orders - Nabil H. Khabirpour (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
II: The Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Europe - Lord Justice Baker (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
III: The Rule of Law, the Market, and European Identity - Professor Catherine Barnard (Video (YouTube) / Audio)
IV: Enforcing the Rule of Law as a Value under EU Law - Professor Albertina Albors-Llorens (Video (YouTube) / Audio)

For more information see:
https://www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/activities-archive
31 min
March 27 Abuse of IP Rights. Lessons from the United States?: CIPIL Spring Conference 2026
Speaker: Professor Leah Grinwald (Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law, University of Nevada)
Session 3: Comparative Experience and Potential Reform
On Saturday 21 March 2026, the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL) held its Annual Spring Conference entitled 'Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights'
In Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Wright [2024] EWHC 1809 (Ch), [63], Mellor J. observed
“IP rights, being monopolies of various sorts, are … justified in that their net benefit is in the public interest, with a view to fostering creativity and innovation. By corollary, where IP rights are abused to stifle creativity and innovation, the legal system ought to have the means to respond effectively.”
The statement raises three questions which are the subject of this conference: (i) when are IP rights to be regarded as “abused”? (ii) What mechanisms exist to respond to such abuses? And (iii) Does the legal system have sufficient mechanisms by which to “respond effectively”?
Programme:
Abuses (This session not recorded)
- Abuses of Trade Marks – Stuart Baran (3 New Square)
- Abuses of Designs – David Stone (White & Case)
- Abuse in FRAND Patent Litigation – Daniel Alexander KC (8 New Square)
Current Disinventives and Remedies
- Remedies for Abuses: Actions for Threats – Trevor Cook (Bird and Bird)
- Preventing Misuse of interim injunctions: The Cross-Undertaking - Dr Katarina Foss-Solbrekk (University of Copenhagen)
- Remedies for Abuses: The Role and Limits of Competition Law to Prevent Enforcement of Invalid IPRs– Dr Quentin Schaefer (11 South Square)
- Preventing Abuses: Ethical Obligations of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys – Phil Barnes (BarnesIP)
Comparative Experience and Potential Reform
- Does the UK Need a Distinct Doctrine of Abuse of Right? – Lessons from the Civil Law – Dr Amandine Leonard (University of Edinburgh)
- Abuse of IP Rights. Lessons from the United States? Professor Leah Grinwald (Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law, University of Nevada)
For more information see:
https://www.cipil.law.cam.ac.uk/seminars-and-events/cipil-spring-conference
34 min
March 27 Does the UK Need a Distinct Doctrine of Abuse of Right?: CIPIL Spring Conference 2026
Speaker: Trevor Cook (Bird and Bird)
Full title: 'Does the UK Need a Distinct Doctrine of Abuse of Right? – Lessons from the Civil Law'
Session 3: Comparative Experience and Potential Reform
On Saturday 21 March 2026, the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL) held its Annual Spring Conference entitled 'Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights'
In Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Wright [2024] EWHC 1809 (Ch), [63], Mellor J. observed
“IP rights, being monopolies of various sorts, are … justified in that their net benefit is in the public interest, with a view to fostering creativity and innovation. By corollary, where IP rights are abused to stifle creativity and innovation, the legal system ought to have the means to respond effectively.”
The statement raises three questions which are the subject of this conference: (i) when are IP rights to be regarded as “abused”? (ii) What mechanisms exist to respond to such abuses? And (iii) Does the legal system have sufficient mechanisms by which to “respond effectively”?
Programme:
Abuses (This session not recorded)
- Abuses of Trade Marks – Stuart Baran (3 New Square)
- Abuses of Designs – David Stone (White & Case)
- Abuse in FRAND Patent Litigation – Daniel Alexander KC (8 New Square)
Current Disinventives and Remedies
- Remedies for Abuses: Actions for Threats – Trevor Cook (Bird and Bird)
- Preventing Misuse of interim injunctions: The Cross-Undertaking - Dr Katarina Foss-Solbrekk (University of Copenhagen)
- Remedies for Abuses: The Role and Limits of Competition Law to Prevent Enforcement of Invalid IPRs– Dr Quentin Schaefer (11 South Square)
- Preventing Abuses: Ethical Obligations of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys – Phil Barnes (BarnesIP)
Comparative Experience and Potential Reform
- Does the UK Need a Distinct Doctrine of Abuse of Right? – Lessons from the Civil Law – Dr Amandine Leonard (University of Edinburgh)
- Abuse of IP Rights. Lessons from the United States? Professor Leah Grinwald (Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law, University of Nevada)
For more information see:
https://www.cipil.law.cam.ac.uk/seminars-and-events/cipil-spring-conference
29 min
March 27 Ethical Obligations of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys: : CIPIL Spring Conference 2026
Speaker: Phil Barnes (BarnesIP)
Session 2: Current Disincentives and Remedies
On Saturday 21 March 2026, the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL) held its Annual Spring Conference entitled 'Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights'
In Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Wright [2024] EWHC 1809 (Ch), [63], Mellor J. observed
“IP rights, being monopolies of various sorts, are … justified in that their net benefit is in the public interest, with a view to fostering creativity and innovation. By corollary, where IP rights are abused to stifle creativity and innovation, the legal system ought to have the means to respond effectively.”
The statement raises three questions which are the subject of this conference: (i) when are IP rights to be regarded as “abused”? (ii) What mechanisms exist to respond to such abuses? And (iii) Does the legal system have sufficient mechanisms by which to “respond effectively”?
Programme:
Abuses (This session not recorded)
- Abuses of Trade Marks – Stuart Baran (3 New Square)
- Abuses of Designs – David Stone (White & Case)
- Abuse in FRAND Patent Litigation – Daniel Alexander KC (8 New Square)
Current Disinventives and Remedies
- Remedies for Abuses: Actions for Threats – Trevor Cook (Bird and Bird)
- Preventing Misuse of interim injunctions: The Cross-Undertaking - Dr Katarina Foss-Solbrekk (University of Copenhagen)
- Remedies for Abuses: The Role and Limits of Competition Law to Prevent Enforcement of Invalid IPRs– Dr Quentin Schaefer (11 South Square)
- Preventing Abuses: Ethical Obligations of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys – Phil Barnes (BarnesIP)
Comparative Experience and Potential Reform
- Does the UK Need a Distinct Doctrine of Abuse of Right? – Lessons from the Civil Law – Dr Amandine Leonard (University of Edinburgh)
- Abuse of IP Rights. Lessons from the United States? Professor Leah Grinwald (Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law, University of Nevada)
For more information see:
https://www.cipil.law.cam.ac.uk/seminars-and-events/cipil-spring-conference
29 min

About Public Lectures from the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge

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The Faculty of Law has a thriving calendar of lectures and seminars spanning the entire gamut of legal, political and philosophical topics. Regular programmes are run by many of the Faculty's Research Centres, and a number of high-profile speakers who are leaders in their fields often speak at the Faculty on other occasions as well.