The School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, is inviting research papers for the XVII SLCU International Conference 2026-27 on “Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes: Legal Challenges and Emerging Perspectives”, to be held on December 18-19, 2026.
Eligibility
• Students pursuing a 5-year integrated LL.B. (Hons.), 3-year LL.B., LL.M. or equivalent law degree from any recognised university in India or abroad
• Faculty members and researchers employed at recognised universities or academic institutions globally
• Doctoral and post-doctoral research scholars enrolled in recognised universities or research institutions worldwide
• The Conference also invites participation from academicians, legal practitioners, policymakers, industry experts and other scholars interested in the conference theme
Conference details
• Conference Theme: “Navigating Cross-Border Commercial Disputes: Legal Challenges and Emerging Perspectives”
• Date: December 18-19, 2026
• Venue: Central Campus, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Hosur Road, Bhavani Nagar, S.G. Palya, Bangalore – 560029, Karnataka
• Mode: Hybrid
• Indian participants will present their papers offline at the Conference venue
• International participants will present their papers virtually through the platform designated by the Organising Committee
• The Conference seeks to examine the changing nature of cross-border commercial disputes and develop forward-looking legal and policy responses
Themes and sub-themes
• International Commercial Arbitration: Evolving Approaches to Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
• Institutional and Ad Hoc Arbitration: Emerging Trends and Procedural Challenges
• Emergency Arbitration, Interim Measures and Online Dispute Resolution
• Jurisdictional Challenges in Cross-Border Disputes and the Evolving Role of the Seat of Arbitration
• International Commercial Mediation: Advancing Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
• International Commercial Mediation under the UNCITRAL Model Law and the Singapore Convention
• Cross-Border Enforcement of International Mediated Settlement Agreements
• Institutional and Ad Hoc Commercial Mediation in International Trade
• International Investment Law: Emerging Dimensions of Cross-Border Investment Disputes
• Foreign Direct Investment in Emerging Economies
• Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reforms
• International Investment Treaties and Contemporary Reforms
• International Trade Law: Contemporary Challenges in Cross-Border Trade Disputes
• UNCITRAL and the Harmonisation of International Trade Law
• The Appellate Body Crisis and the Future of WTO Dispute Settlement
• Trade Wars and Their Implications on the Multilateral Trading System
• Insolvency and Taxation: Emerging Trends and Developments
• Recognition of Foreign Insolvency Proceedings
• Transfer Pricing Disputes in the Digital Economy
• Digital Assets and Cryptocurrencies in Insolvency and Taxation
• International Maritime Law: Navigating Cross-Border Maritime Disputes
• Contractual Friction in Charterparties over IMO Emission Compliance
• Attributing Liability for AI-Driven Navigation and Autonomous Ships
• Ship Arrest and Cross-Border Arbitration
• Technology and Intellectual Property Law: Legal Challenges in the Global Digital Economy
• AI and Cross-Border Data Privacy and Liability
• AI in Cross-Border Commercial Transactions
• Trademark Protection and Brand Enforcement in Global Markets
Submission guidelines
• Authors must submit an abstract of not more than 250 words
• The abstract must be accompanied by 5-6 keywords
• The abstract should clearly indicate the research problem, central argument, approach or methodology and expected contribution of the paper
• Abstracts will be evaluated on relevance to the Conference theme and sub-themes, originality, research potential and substantive contribution
• Abstracts must not contain identifying information such as author names, institutional affiliations or acknowledgements
• Author details must be provided separately in a cover letter
• The cover letter must include the sub-theme and title of the paper, author names, institutional affiliations, contact number, email ID, postal address, ORCID ID, if applicable, and a short biography of not more than 150 words
• Abstracts must be submitted electronically through the prescribed submission form
• Authors whose abstracts are selected must subsequently submit full-length manuscripts
• Full-length manuscripts must be developed from the approved abstract and reflect the research problem, argument and methodology outlined in the abstract
• Manuscripts must be 3,000-7,000 words, inclusive of references
• Manuscripts must be anonymous and must not contain identifying information
• Manuscripts must be prepared in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with double-line spacing and 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins
• The title must be in bold and headings must follow a consistent hierarchy
• Citations and references must follow the APA 7th Edition
• Submissions must be original, unpublished and not under consideration for publication elsewhere
• Descriptive submissions without a substantive, original and research-oriented contribution may not be considered
Registration details
• Registration fees are payable only after acceptance of the abstract
• Single Author – Student: ₹2,800 for Indian participants / USD 50 for international participants
• Single Author – Research Scholar: ₹3,500 / USD 60
• Single Author – Professionals & Academicians: ₹4,000 / USD 70
• Co-Author – Student: ₹5,000 / USD 70
• Co-Author – Research Scholar: ₹6,500 / USD 90
• Co-Author – Professionals & Academicians: ₹7,500 / USD 110
• Registration fees are exclusive of GST
• For co-authored papers involving different categories, the higher category of specialisation/status among the co-authors will determine the registration fee and final team category
• The registration fee includes the Conference Kit, participation in technical sessions, breakfast, lunch, tea/refreshments, a certificate of merit/presentation and publication of the paper, upon selection, without any Article Processing Charges (APC)
Prizes and publication
• The Conference invites submissions under three categories: Students, Academicians and Research Scholars
• The top two best paper presenters in each category will receive a cash prize of ₹12,000 each along with a trophy
• Student winners will also be offered an internship opportunity at AZB & Partners
• Selected papers, subject to review and editorial approval, will be considered for publication in a Scopus-indexed Journal
• Further selected papers will be published as an ISBN book following rigorous double-blind peer review and editorial processes
• A Certificate of Merit will be awarded to the Best Paper under each sub-theme
• A Certificate of Presentation will be awarded to every participant who duly submits and successfully presents their research paper
• The internship opportunity at AZB & Partners will be subject to AZB’s internal selection policies, procedures and eligibility criteria
Important dates
• Call for Papers: August 18, 2026
• Abstract Submission Deadline: September 25, 2026
• Abstract Selection Notification: October 4, 2026
• Last Date of Registration: November 15, 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026
• Conference Dates: December 18-19, 2026
How to apply
Interested candidates may submit their abstracts electronically through the official Conference submission form by clicking here.
For queries, candidates may contact the Conference Committee at slcuconference@law.christuniversity.in.
