Annual Conference 2026, Málaga

Justice and The Rule of Law in a World that Does not make Sense

With close connections to Málaga, apparently Picasso said “The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”

We are delighted to be holding our 2026 Annual Conference in Málaga, Spain
in collaboration with the local Bar, Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Málaga.

After a welcome from Abigail Holt (Leader of The European Circuit and a barrister at Garden Court Chambers) we will hold an entertaining and informative Bar Leaders panel, which this year will take place late in the afternoon of Thursday 24 September and as a prelude to the drinks reception.

Perspectives on Challenges to the Profession from Bar Leaders Across Europe

Salvador González Martín President, Spanish General Council of Lawyers
Flor Carrasco Gómez Dean, Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Málaga
Kirsty Brimelow KC Chair, Bar Council of England & Wales
Stéphane Haziza Member of the Paris Bar Council
Michala Plachká Vice-Chair, Czech Bar Association
Seamus Clarke SC incoming Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland
We expect this to be a very lively session!

Hugh Mercer KC (UK Judge at the ECtHR) has very kindly agreed to give a keynote address to the conference before the panel sessions taking place on Friday 25 September, when the topics and speakers will reflect how our legal work runs in parallel with current events.
Panel topics and speakers include:

Recognition and Enforcements of Judgments between the EU and the UK

His Honour Judge Richard Pearce Circuit Commercial Court in Manchester (Chair)
Ana Romero Porro ASTROM Legal SLP
Dr Sarah Egan BL New Square Chambers
Paul McGarry SC Bar of Ireland
Christopher Deacon Stewarts

Recent Developments in EU Migration and Asylum Law

Sonali Naik KC Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Noemí Alarcón Velasco Vice President of the CCBE & Director of NAV Consultores
David Conlan Smyth SC Bar of Ireland
Benjamin Seifert 1 Crown Office Row

conduct in financial remedy proceedings

The Hon Ms Justice Nuala Jackson, Judge of the High Court Ireland (Chair)
Lance Duran Provinziano & Associates, Paris
Mayte Garcia Lawyer, International Family Law, Málaga
Polly Atkins Senior Associate, Hunters, London

Advocacy in International Courts

Hugh Mercer KC Judge at the European Court of Human Rights (Chair)
The Hon Mr Justice David Nolan Judge of the High Court Ireland
The Hon Miss Justice Suzanne Kingston Judge of the General Court of the European Union
Kirsty Brimelow KC Chair of the Bar Council of England & Wales

There will also be a special guest appearance from Professor Oana Stefan PhD, Chair in European Law & Director of the Centre of European Law, King’s College London

As always the European Circuit conference is an opportunity for lively debate with lawyers from across Europe. The conference sessions are designed to facilitate discussion among all present, rather than simply speeches by the presenters. The topics are always stimulating and often provoke animated discussion.

CONFERENCE IS WORTH 7 CPD POINTS (Bar of Ireland)

Conference is always a lot of fun and provides an opportunity to make new contacts and renew old acquaintances and ensure that delegates get an insight into both the legal and the social culture of the host country.  To that end we are very much looking forward to our Drinks Reception, being held on Thursday 24 September at Antonio Martín Restaurante (Pl. de la Malagueta) website and the Gala Dinner on Friday 25 September at the Hotel Miramar (P.º Reding) website

There is also the option of bringing a “plus one” to the conference who might want to attend the drinks reception and the Gala dinner only but without having to pay the full conference fees. They will need to be booked separately on the “plus one” ticket to the conference.

We have secured the following hotel discounts:

Soho Hoteles 15% discount code ELCC2026 for all eight sites in Malaga.
Hotel Larios 10% discount code HUNTERSPROMO (limited). Code valid until 09/08/2026.

Please note tickets are non-refundable.

El Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Málaga acogerá la Conferencia Anual 2026 de The European Circuit los días 24 y 25 de septiembre de 2026, una de las redes europeas de referencia para abogados, barristers, jueces y otros profesionales jurídicos dedicados a la litigación, la resolución de disputas y la práctica del derecho internacional privado.

La conferencia, organizada por la European Circuit en colaboración con nuestro Colegio, se celebrará bajo el lema “Justice and The Rule of Law in a World that Does not make Sense” y reunirá en Málaga a destacados representantes de la abogacía europea, jueces y profesionales especializados en asuntos internacionales.

The European Circuit nació como foro de encuentro entre abogados de distintas jurisdicciones europeas y actualmente constituye un espacio de debate, cooperación profesional e intercambio de experiencias sobre los principales retos de la práctica jurídica internacional. Sus encuentros se caracterizan por un formato participativo, orientado no solo a la exposición académica, sino también al diálogo entre profesionales de distintos sistemas jurídicos.

Los colegiados/as del Colegio de abogados de Málaga disponen de cuota reducida y deberá realizar la inscripción a través del siguiente enlace Annual Conference 2026 (Abogacía de Málaga)

Fecha: 24 y 25 de septiembre, 2026.
Lugar de celebración: Salón de Actos del Colegio de Abogados de Málaga.