On 1-2 December 2025, the LL.M Master in International Dispute Settlement program held its annual Academic Retreat at the historic Château de Bossey, an 18th-century estate nestled in the Swiss countryside between Versoix and Nyon for two days of intensive learning and networking. The retreat is a cornerstone of the MIDS curriculum, designed to combine academic rigor with practical skills development.
Students participated in a moot court-style competition, aimed at sharpening essential skills for international dispute settlement: analyzing facts and evidence, building legal strategies, crafting arguments, and practicing oral advocacy under time pressure. The exercise also fostered teamwork and collaboration, as students worked in claimant and respondent teams under the guidance of experienced coaches. On the first day, students received case materials and spent the day strategizing and preparing their oral arguments. The second day culminated in oral pleadings before tribunals composed of distinguished international practitioners, including arbitrators and counsel from leading law firms and institutions: Vanessa Alarcon Duvanel (King & Spalding), David Bonifacio (Total), Panagiotis Chalkias (White & Case), Gabriele Miscia (Swiss Arbitration Centre), Lukas Montoya (LKK), Tomás Navarro Blakemore (MLL), Giulio Palermo (Archipel), Deepak Raju (Sidley Austin), Vincent Reynaud (Lalive), Sebastiano Nessi (Curtis). This unique opportunity allowed students to experience the dynamics of real-world arbitration hearings and receive valuable feedback from experts.
Beyond the competition, the retreat offered moments for networking and social interaction, strengthening the bonds within the MIDS community. Participation in the retreat is mandatory and forms part of the official MIDS transcript, reflecting its importance in the program's holistic approach to education. We extend our gratitude to the esteemed members of the tribunals for their time and expertise, and to all students for their dedication and professionalism. The retreat exemplifies the MIDS commitment to combining theory with practice in an immersive, collaborative environment.