Whilst the year ahead is marked with a great deal of uncertainty for businesses in Europe and around the world, what seems certain is that it is shaping up to be one of the most challenging years in living memory.  For some, the economic circumstances will produce great opportunities.  For many international businesses, however, there will be an increase in the likelihood of disputes, and an increase in the litigation risks they face.

The theme of DRI Europe's conference 13-14 May 2009 is therefore a timely one.  This event, being held at the beautiful Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich, Germany, will focus on the theme "Culture Clash! Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Discovery: How to Protect Your Business in Transnational Disputes".  

There are significant inconsistencies in law and practice between United States and Europe, and in some respects those inconsistencies are deepening.  The significance of these become apparent when dealing with international litigation risks, and as such litigation increases, so do the tensions created by those differences.  Varying approaches to privacy laws, legal privilege and discovery obligations can have very significant implications for businesses involved in international litigation. 

This DRI Europe conference offers a unique opportunity to discuss the implications of the latest important developments in these issues, and to hear unique insights from European regulators, U.S. judges, and practicing lawyers who deal with these issues on a daily basis in Europe and the U.S. Experts in their fields will speak in depth on all facets of disclosure and data protection initiatives, as well as the current state of e-discovery problems and the relationship between these problems and collective redress schemes.

This will be an important and an interesting event, dealing with issues that are becoming increasingly important in Europe.  I urge you to mark it in your calendars now.

Rod Freeman

Chair, DRI Europe Leadership Council

rod.freeman@lovells.com