Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summer School

Rules-Based International Order in an Age of Disruption: Is International Law Dead?

The Centre for Justice and Law Reform's second Summer School took place from 9 to 10 July 2026 at the Law Society of Ireland.

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Speakers at the Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summer School
Speakers at the Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summer School

The Summer School is an invitation-only event aimed at providing a space for Ireland’s most influential minds to explore and debate key issues shaping the world today. 

This year's event considered the seismic shifts currently rattling global stability. The event will feature insights from a range of experts including Dr Dmytro Kuleba, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO; Avril Haines, former United States Director of National Intelligence; and General Seán Clancy, Chair of the European Union Military Committee.

Conference programme

  • Registration and welcome

    12.30 - 1.30 | Blue Room

    Light lunch provided.

    Rosemarie Loftus, President of the Law Society

    1.30 - 1.45pm | President's Hall

    Welcome by Rosemarie Loftus (President of the Law Society)

  • Keynote speaker: The Honourable Rose Gottemoeller

    rose gottemoeller(William J. Perry Lecturer; Former Deputy Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO))

    Security in Europe: Nuclear Threats and Beyond  

    1.45 - 2.15 pm | Presidents' Hall

  • Taking the Pulse of the Rules-Based International Order

    2.15 - 3.15pm | Presidents' Hall

    Decorative images of the speakers outlined below

    Chair: Pat Leahy (Political Editor, The Irish Times)  

    Panellists:

    •  Dr .Christiane Ahlborn (Assistant Professor of International Law, University of Graz)  
    •  Stephen Pomper (Chief of Policy, International Crisis Group
    •  Professor Federico Fabbrini (Full Professor of EU Law and Founding Director of Dublin European Law Institute, DCU; Fulbright Schuman Fellow in International Security, Harvard Kennedy School)

  • Tea and coffee break

    3.15 - 4 pm | Blue Room

  • Can the Rules-Based Order Survive Strategic Rivalry?

    4 - 5pm | President's Hall

    Decorative images of the speakers outlined below

    Chair:  Ingrid Miley (Barrister; former RTÉ Industry and Employment Correspondent) 

    Panellists:

    • Fergal Keane (Former Foreign Correspondent BBC News; Freelance Journalist and Author)
    • Rory Montgomery (Former Political Director, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs)
    • Lucinda Creighton (Founder and CEO, Vulcan Consulting) 

  • Keynote speaker: Senator Michael McDowell SC

    Michael McDowell SC(former Tánaiste of Ireland) 

    Ireland’s view of the persistence and strength of international order; the role of geopolitical blocs and military alliances

    5.00 - 5.30 pm | Presidents' Hall

  • Closing remarks and drinks reception

    5.30 - 5.45 | Presidents' Hall

    Drinks reception

    5.45 - 6.45 pm | Blue Room

  • Conference dinner

    6.45 - 9.30 pm | Presidents' Hall

    Dr. Dmytro Kuleba and Fergal Keane

    Dr. Dmytro Kuleba (Former Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs) in conversation with Fergal Keane (Journalist and author)

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Related content
file_download Summer School Programme 2026 (PDF)

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