The E L W I Dispute Resolution Coursefor students of the Master Program Law of International Trade and Dispute Resolution

From October to December 2025, students of the Law of International Trade and Dispute Resolution Master’s programme attended dispute resolution course organised by the E L W I team.

E L W I is an independent Russian law firm founded by a team of lawyers with experience at leading international firms (including Latham & Watkins, Allen & Overy, Baker McKenzie, Cleary Gottlieb, Freshfields, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, White & Case, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Skadden), as well as major industrial and financial holding companies. Among other things, the firm holds a leading position in the market for international arbitration and cross-border dispute resolution.

The course consisted of nine intensive English-language masterclasses combining theory and practice across a wide range of highly topical issues, with a focus on disputes involving a foreign element. Students were able to immerse themselves in the resolution of different types of disputes (including corporate, construction and financial disputes), discuss the specific features of proceedings before the English courts and under English law, and explore some of the most pressing contemporary topics, including anti-suit injunctions, restrictive measures (sanctions), and the recognition and enforcement of court judgments and arbitral awards. The E L W I team also paid particular attention to the detailed study of evidence in arbitration, including the preparation and examination of witnesses and experts. A separate masterclass was devoted to international investment arbitration. The course concluded with an intensive masterclass on the use of AI in modern dispute resolution practice, featuring demonstrations of real cases in which special AI technologies are applied by the E L W I team.

Elizaveta Novichkova, a second-year student of the Law of International Trade and Dispute Resolution Master’s programme, shared her impressions of the E L W I course:

“I would like to thank the E L W I team for a very practically oriented and content-rich course. I particularly enjoyed the fact that each lecture included a large number of real-life examples and cases, as well as interactive exercises where we could step into the role of real arbitration lawyers. We conducted direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, tried to interpret bilateral investment treaties and reflected on various issues. All classes took place in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, in which it was a pleasure to express one’s views and listen to fellow students. Thank you to the E L W I team for this opportunity.”

Muhammad Inzemam Khan, also a participant in the course, comments:

"To me, ELWI covered the strategic core of my academic journey in Moscow; from basics to advanced-complex areas in international arbitration. Furthermore, learning from various international experts in their area through a theory-practice integrated lens physically in the firm provided invaluable real-world insights. Moreover, the group-exercises on numerous challenging tasks effectively built competencies required to understand construction and corporate disputes. For this amazing experience, I will always be thankful to HSE and ELWI’s team."

The strong practical value of the course, as noted by the students, is largely explained by the fact that the masterclasses were delivered and prepared by E L W I lawyers with extensive experience in handling complex international disputes. They included:

- Yuri Bashmakov, Partner at E L W I and the course moderator;

- Sergey Alekhin, Partner at E L W I;

- Fyodor Belykh, Partner at E L W I;

- Dmitry Bayandin, Counsel at E L W I;

- Victoria Volgina, Counsel at E L W I;

- Anton Smirnov, Counsel at E L W I;

- Ekaterina Avtonova, Senior Lawyer at E L W I; 

- Kirill Shmotov, Senior Lawyer at E L W I;

- Maria Saldugey, Associate at E L W I;

- Konstantin Efrosman, Associate at E L W I;

- Georgy Suvorov, Associate at E L W I;

- and also Mikhail Sondor, one of the co-authors of the course.

For the purposes of the masterclasses, the E L W I team arranged for students to attend the sessions in person at their offices.

We express our sincere gratitude to the E L W I team for delivering this dispute resolution course and hope that it will become a tradition for HSE students!