BCLP event with one of England’s most influential jurists featured by ‘GAR’

International law firm BCLP was featured Feb. 10 by GAR concerning the firm’s recent event, “An Interview with Lord Hoffmann: In conversation with a reasonable man.”

Lord Leonard Hoffmann spent 24 years as a judge, including 14 years as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in the House of Lords and, after his retirement from the bench, has been appointed as an arbitrator in more than 100 international commercial and investment treaty disputes. Well-known for his memorable judgments and willingness to break with convention, his decisions have had an enormous impact on the interpretation of contracts, shareholder actions in UK company law, restricting tort liability for public authorities and human rights. In three decades on the bench, only four of his judgements were overturned.

This was one of BCLP’s most popular London events, hosted at Governor’s House. Partner Roman Khodykin and guest interviewer the Hon. Mrs. Justice Cockerill DBE led the discussion for the packed audience of clients and colleagues.

Of his time as a judge and subsequent career as an in-demand international arbitrator, Lord Hoffmann reflected on how the two roles differ: “Sitting as an arbitrator is comparable to sitting as a first-instance judge… requiring you to watch ‘real people’ giving evidence rather than simply hearing lawyers’ arguments. As an arbitrator, there is also the added complexity and excitement of interacting with colleagues from different jurisprudential traditions, which is fascinating.”

Although Lord Hoffmann did not discuss any of his own judgments relating to arbitration, he did reflect on cases from his days as a Court of Appeal, House of Lords, and Privy Council judge. These included: Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society; Meridian Global Funds Management Asia Ltd v Securities Commission; Airedale v Bland; AG of Belize v Belize Telecom; Fairchild v Glenhaven; and Biogen v Medeva. Looking back, he highlighted those cases he felt he had decided satisfactorily, as well as those in which he had second thoughts.

Shifting gears, the wide-ranging interview also saw Lord Hoffmann discuss his great love of cycling, which began when he was involved in an eight-week long arbitration hearing in Amsterdam and looking for something to do on the weekends. Once the case was over, he brought the bike back to London and has been riding ever since – including to chambers and court.