European Circuit of the Bar Annual Conference 2014 In collaboration with Hrvatska Odvjetnička Komora the Croatian Bar Association and with the support of the American Counsel Association European Lawyers In A Changing Union ZAGREB 13th – 15th November 2014 As Croatia grows accustomed to its status as the EU’s newest member, elsewhere discontentment with the Union – reflected in the vote for anti-EU parties in this year’s Parliamentary elections – is forcing a re-think of the way the EU operates and its relationship with individual States. How will these changes impact on European law and lawyers? What is the role of cross-border professional collaboration in all this? And what can advocates in newer and older Member States learn from each other in facing the challenges ahead? At this year’s Conference of the European Circuit, we are the guests of the Croatian Bar Association (HOK) in their first-rate conference facility at Koturaška 53/II, 10000 Zagreb. We look forward to you joining us in this relaxed and chic city to debate legal and professional issues of interest to lawyers from the UK, Croatia and elsewhere. ** Please make your own way to the appropriate venues, the addresses are listed below ** Conference Language – English save for the Supreme Court Programme where translation will be provided Programme: Thursday 13th November 2014 19.00 – 20.45 Cocktail Reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence Address: Gornje Prekrizje 49D, Zegreb Friday 14th November 2014 10.30 Rendezvous at the Supreme Court, Address: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskoga 3, 10 000 Zagreb 11.00- 12.30 Briefing on the work of the Supreme Court including a question and answer session with the President of the Supreme Court, Judge Branko Hrvatin 12.30 – 13.30 Break for Lunch (Lunch is not included in the programme) 13.30 - 14.00 Conference Registration – HOK - Koturaška 53/II 10000 Zagreb 14.00 - 14.15 Welcome by Gordon Nardell QC, Leader of the European Circuit, and the President of the Croatian Bar, Mr. Robert Travaš 14.15 - 15.45 Accession State experience of EU competition and State aid rules This session will examine the issues for acceding States in relation to these key elements of the EU acquis, including regulatory challenges and handling follow-on damages claims. - Fergus Randolph QC, Brick Court Chambers, London Marjorie Holmes, Reed Smith, London Danijel Pribanić, Karanovic & Nikolic, Zagreb 15.45 – 16.00 Coffee Break 16.00 – 16.30 Keynote Speech: Professor Iris Goldner Lang Jean Monnet Professor of Law, University of Zagreb and President of the Croatian Society for European Law 16.30 – 17.15 Update from Brussels: Hot topics for European lawyers 17.15 – 17.30 AGM of the European Circuit 19.00 Conference Dinner at the Bulldog Bar and Bistro Address: Bogovićeva 6, HR-10000 Zagreb Saturday 15th November 09.30 – 10.30 Cross Border Disputes I: Claims in Tort - Gerard McDermott QC, Outer Temple Chambers - Hugh Mercer QC, Essex Court Chambers - Ms Vlatka Vedriš, Vedriš and Partners, Zagreb 10.30 -11.15 - Cross Border Disputes II: Applying mediation psychology Paul Randolph and Spenser Hilliard, Field Court Chambers, London 11.15 - 11.30 Coffee Break 11.30 – 12.30 The Future of Legal Business – Croatian and UK perspectives Moderator: Boris Babić, Babić and Partners, Zagreb - Wes Horton: Horton, Shields and Knox, Hartford, Connecticut Gerard McDermott QC Iva Sunko and Ana Pehar, Vukić and Partners, Rijeka The Conference will close shortly after 12.30 pm. *** The Conference is accredited for 6.5 hours BSB CPD. We are grateful for the support of the American Counsel Association. For further details please contact Carol Barnsley, [email protected] www.europeancircuit.com If you have any queries whilst in Zagreb the Treasurer Gerard McDermott QC can be contacted on his UK Cell phone +44 7836 658933 [email protected]