External Conferences
Arbrix 2026 Conference
Wednesday 18 November 2026
Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
Property
“Hot Topic” Seminar: Canary Wharf v European Medicines Agency
Friday 5 April 2019
1.00pm - 2.00pm including sandwiches and refreshments
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL,
1.0 CPD
On Wednesday 20 February 2019, Mr Justice Marcus Smith handed down a highly anticipated judgment in Canary Wharf v European Medicines Agency, rejecting the EMA’s contention that its 25-year lease of premises in Canary Wharf would be frustrated by Brexit. On 1 March 2019, the judge granted the EMA conditional permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Though the proceedings raised numerous issues of EU and private international law, they also raised fundamental questions relating to the law of frustration and its application to leases and other contracts.
Now that the dust has settled (for the moment), Wilberforce Chambers invite you to a Q&A session featuring property counsel on both sides of the case: Joanne Wicks QC and Jonathan Chew for Canary Wharf and Jonathan Seitler QC and Emer Murphy for the EMA. Chaired by Martin Hutchings QC, the session will consider the numerous points of interest for property and commercial practitioners arising out of the proceedings.
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