In this newsletter you can find:

• Chairman's Note
• ESCL Annual Conference and Workshop 2026 in Istanbul
• ^2nd SCL Bulgaria National Annual Construction Law Conference -8^th October 2026, Sofia, Bulgaria
• 10^th SCL Romania International Annual Construction Law Conference - 5^th November 2026, Bucharest, Romania
• SAVE THE DATE- 2^nd Eastern European Conference-Construction Across Borders, 22-23 April 2027, Sofia, Bulgaria
• SAVE THE DATE -12^th International SCL Conference in November 2027-29^th September-1^st October 2027, Belgrade, Serbia
• Promotion of events

Chairman's Note

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Looking at the vibrant calendar of upcoming events, I am immensely proud to highlight the remarkable activity and productivity of both the ESCL and our national societies. Through our collective efforts, we continue to foster innovation, legal excellence, and cross-border collaboration across Europe and beyond.

A testament to this extraordinary synergy is our flagship event: the ESCL Annual Conference and Workshop 2026, which will take place on 23–24 October 2026 at The Marmara Pera Hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Under the compelling theme "Global Turmoils: Uncertainties in Construction Projects", this year's conference offers an exceptionally rich and timely programme. Together with industry leaders, distinguished practitioners, academics, and key stakeholders, we will dive into pressing issues, emerging challenges, and future trends in construction law and dispute resolution.

Following the great success of the ESCL Conference in Naples, this will be the second time that we offer a dedicated Workshop alongside the main conference. Designed to allow smaller, focused groups to delve deeper into specific construction law issues, these interactive sessions are tailored for both experienced practitioners and young professionals. It represents an unmissable opportunity for professional growth, in-depth learning, and close networking.

This entire gathering promises to be an extraordinary platform for knowledge sharing, high-level debate, and international connections. I warmly encourage each of you to review the program and secure your place as soon as possible by registering at the link of below.

In addition to our annual gathering in Istanbul, the dynamic spirit of our community is clearly reflected in the rich array of regional and national initiatives taking place across our network:

• 2nd SCL Bulgaria National Annual Construction Law Conference (8 October 2026, Sofia, Bulgaria): Focusing on crucial legal, regulatory, and technological developments, including urban planning, digital transformation, AI, and digital twins.
• 10th SCL Romania International Annual Construction Law Conference (5 November 2026, Bucharest, Romania): Celebrating a decade of excellence by exploring "Perspectives of Construction Law," best practices in construction arbitration, delay & disruption protocols, and contract management.
• 2nd Eastern European Regional SCL Conference "Construction Across Borders" (22–23 April 2027, Sofia, Bulgaria): Co-organised by multiple regional societies in partnership with ESCL, featuring a dedicated Nuclear Construction Workshop and key sessions on cross-border FIDIC contracts and dispute resolution.
• 12th International SCL Conference (29 September – 1 October 2027, Belgrade, Serbia): Organised by SCL International and SCL Serbia, bringing together the global community around the theme "Where currents meet".

All these initiatives demonstrate the vibrant energy driving our societies forward. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the organisers, national representatives, and contributors who make such an extraordinary lineup of events possible.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Istanbul for what will undoubtedly be a memorable and impactful conference.

Warm regards,

Roberto Panetta
Chairman of Council, ESCL

ESCL Annual Conference and Workshop 2026 in Istanbul

This year's Conference will take place on 23-24 October 2026 in Istanbul (Turkiye). The topic of the event will be "Global Turmoils: Uncertainties in Construction Projects".

The event will be held in person and will consist of a full day of sessions on 23 October 2026 and a 2-hour Workshop on 24 October 2026.

The General Assembly of the European Society of Construction Law will also be held on 24 October 2026, which will be attended only by the delegates of the national SCLs.

This Conference will bring together construction law professionals, industry leaders and academia from Europe, Turkiye and around the globe while also engaging key stakeholders from the local market.

At this Conference, SCL Turkiye and ESCL would like to facilitate brainstorming sessions among participants from Europe and all over the globe about a healthier built environment which is under the pressure of harsh “Global Turmoils: Uncertainties in Construction Projects.”

Join leading practitioners, academics, and industry professionals in Istanbul for two days of discussions on current developments, emerging challenges, and future trends in construction law and dispute resolution.

📅 23–24 October 2026

📍 The Marmara Pera Hotel, Istanbul, Türkiye

Secure your place and join the international construction law community for insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and meaningful connections.

👉 Register HERE

Each national SCL  is entitled to propose one or two participants under 35 years old for the Workshop. The related participation costs (excluding accommodation and travel) will be covered by the ESCL.

The Council of ESCL invites you to send the names of the nominated individuals by October 15th at the latest. 

Society’s proposals  for participants for the Workshop are to be sent only via email to info@sclturkey.org and no further registration  for the Workshopm will be required as their Workshop fees will be covered by the ESCL (if they would like to join the main conference and other side events, they will still need to register).

2^nd SCL Bulgaria National Annual Construction Law Conference - 8^th October 2026, Sofia, Bulgaria

Last year, SCL Bulgaria (BSCL) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the society and its accession to the European Society of Construction Law with a national conference dedicated to some of our most significant achievements in 2025, including the publication of the Bulgarian translations of the FIDIC Green Book 2021 and FIDIC White Book 2017, as well as the second edition of the BSCL Construction Law Handbook. This event marked the beginning of what has now become our annual national conference series.

These conferences are organised in partnership with the Bulgarian Construction Chamber and with the media support of Stroitel newspaper.

This year's national conference of BSCL will take place on 8 October 2026 in Sofia and will focus on some of the most pressing legal, regulatory and technological developments affecting the construction and infrastructure sector. The programme will address current challenges in urban planning and construction legislation, the risks and liabilities arising from illegal construction, and the opportunities presented by digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, digital twins and innovative digital solutions for the construction industry.

10^th SCL Romania International Annual Construction Law Conference” Perspectives of Construction Law”- 5^th November 2026, Bucharest, Romania

Marking its tenth edition, this international annual conference asks where best practice in construction projects and construction arbitration stands today – across project authorizations, contract drafting, claims management, dispute avoidance and the efficient conduct of arbitral proceedings – and how it must evolve to meet what lies ahead. Leading Romanian and international practitioners, arbitrators and academics will take stock of what already works and look at the practices now taking shape.

The anniversary edition brings the sector’s most pressing questions to the stage, with sessions dedicated to the themes that define construction law today:

• FIDIC and G.D. 1/2018 contracts – administration and the practical realities of implementation
• Construction arbitration and dispute resolution, in Romania and across borders
• Claims management, delay and disruption, and the allocation of risk
• Applying the SCL UK Delay and Disruption Protocol in Romania and abroad, and the prospects of an international protocol currently under development
• Applying the new technologies in construction and in dispute resolution
• Regulatory developments and the evolving Romanian and international legal framework

More details and registration: HERE

2^nd Eastern European Regional SCL Conference “Construction Across Borders”, 22-23 April 2027, Sofia, Bulgaria

Nuclear. Cross-border. Complex.  Welcome to Sofia.

 The Bulgarian Society of Construction Law (BSCL) invites you to the 2nd Eastern European Regional SCL Conference, co-organised together with SCL Hungary, SCL Poland, SCL Romania, SCL Serbia, and SCL Turkey, in partnership with ESCL - this is the only conference built specifically for construction law professionals operating in the Eastern European region.

The construction industry in Eastern Europe is evolving fast and so are the legal challenges that come with it.

After a sold-out debut in Belgrade, the 2nd Eastern European Regional SCL Conference is heading to Sofia - bigger, bolder, and now spanning two days.

📍 Sofia, Bulgaria, Hyatt Regency 📅 22–23 April 2027

Here's what's new:

🔸 Day 1: Nuclear Construction Workshop. The nuclear sector is booming across the region. But with mega-projects come mega-risks. This dedicated workshop dives into the legal, contractual, and regulatory challenges unique to nuclear construction-a topic that sparked the most debate in Belgrade.

The Workshop is structured around 4 themes:

 1.  Challenges in nuclear mega projects preparation;

 2.  Challenges in nuclear mega projects management;

 3.  SMR: Site selection and approval process - challenges at initial
project development stage;

 4.  Challenges in nuclear projects decommissioning and radioactive waste
processing.

🔸 Day 2: Main Conference.

 ▸International contracts & standards – “Challenges with the use of FIDIC contracts in the region”

  ▸Risk Allocation- “Building across legal systems”

  ▸ Dispute resolution

  ▸ PPP

  ▸Emerging trends reshaping how we build across borders- “Can we do better together? “

All chairs of the national SCL from the region (supported by ESCL Board) present their actions and brainstorm opportunities for future networking initiatives.

Whether you're negotiating FIDIC contracts across jurisdictions, advising on energy infrastructure, or resolving disputes on cross-border projects - this is where the conversation is happening.

Save the date.  See you in Sofia.

More details on the programme, themes, speakers & registration are coming soon.

12^{th International SCL Conference in November 2027-29th September-1st October 2027, Belgrade, Serbia- “Where current meets”}

 📅 29 September - 1 October 2027

📍 Belgrade, Serbia

SCL International has selected Belgrade, Serbia as the host city for the 12th Conference of the Society of Construction Law International. SCL International together with SCL Serbia looks forward to welcoming the global construction law community to Belgrade in autumn 2027.

The biennial SCLI Conference brings together construction law practitioners, arbitrators, engineers, other experts, academics and all involved in the construction law industry from across the world for three days of cutting-edge discussion, debate, and networking. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and a city at the confluence of two of Europe's great rivers, will provide a vibrant and distinctive setting for this landmark gathering.

Further details on the programme, themes, speakers, and registration are announced on the conference website: scli2027.org

 The Call for abstracts is also open, and abstracts are invited under four sub-themes:

▸ Who Carries the Risk or “Who Risks the Risk”

Risk allocation across borders and standard forms, at a point where employers, contractors and insurers are each trying to hand the same risks on.

▸ Empowering the Power Transition

How renewables, hydro, nuclear and grid infrastructure are contracted and delivered, and who bears the delay when approval sits outside the contract.

▸ The “Elephant Machine” in the Room

What artificial intelligence is already doing on site and in the contract, and what the industry should do about it.

▸ Who Disputes That There Is a Dispute

Courts, arbitration, dispute boards and adjudication: what each does well, and where construction disputes should be decided.

The Call for Abstracts is open until 15 December 2026 (23:59 CET). Abstracts should be submitted through the call for abstracts page on the conference website.

 Registration for the conference is also open. Details of the registration categories, fees and deadlines are available HERE

Promotion of events

Events organised by the National Societies of Construction Law or other organisations with an ESCL reference can be published on the ESCL Website or mentioned in the ESCL Newsletter. Send your events, with short description in English and a link to the event on your website to info@ibr.nl

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If you have any questions please contact:
Prof. Dr. E.M. (Evelien) Bruggeman (Secretary of the ESCL)
E. (Ellen) Boomer-van der Ploeg
V. (Victoria) Penkova (Member ESCL Council)
Tel.: +31 - (0)70 3245544
E-mail: info@ibr.nl

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