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Welcome to E-news -
30 April 2010 |
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Thursday 6 May, 1330 BST/1430 CET
Webcast interview with Justice Richard Goldstone
 The next IBA live webcast interview will feature Justice Richard Goldstone, previously a South African Constitutional Court judge, former chief prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, and IBA Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) past Co-Chair. The interview will be conducted by award-winning former CNN journalist Todd Benjamin. Mr Benjamin has interviewed many high-profile individuals including Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Previous IBA webcasts have included an interview and Q&A session with Professor John Ruggie, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on business and human rights. On 19 April he discussed issues including his UN mandate and its significance to lawyers. Professor Ruggie was interviewed by John Sherman, Chair of the IBA Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.
- Read more about the Professor Ruggie interview.
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IBA launches ‘Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession’ project with OECD and UNODC
The IBA, in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), have launched the ‘Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession’ project. This global initiative will raise awareness among legal professionals about existing international anti-corruption instruments and equip lawyers with the necessary tools and knowledge to identify, address and resolve potential threats to the integrity of the legal profession caused by corruption.
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IBA Annual Conference, Vancouver, 3-8 October 2010
Registration now open, keynote speaker Bob Woodward confirmed
We are pleased to announce that registration details and preliminary programme information are now available for the 2010 IBA Annual Conference.
 Bob Woodward, the foremost journalist of his generation, will deliver the keynote speech at this year’s opening ceremony. From his defining role in revealing the full extent of the Watergate scandal, to the Supreme Court, the CIA, the Pentagon, President Clinton, the Federal Reserve, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, four books on the wars of President George W Bush, and now the Obama administration, Woodward has consistently found the inside, hidden story of Washington institutions and the American Presidency.
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, has been invited to open the conference.
The IBA Annual Conference is the opportunity for legal professionals from around the world to meet and discuss key developments across multiple jurisdictions. In the current economic climate, it is ever more crucial to be fully informed and to the best of our ability. As the global voice of the legal profession, the IBA is uniquely qualified to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to do so.
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IBA Antitrust Committee addresses proposed changes to European Commission’s policy papers on due process in behavioural antitrust cases
In line with its tradition, the IBA’s Antitrust Committee set up a working group in February 2010 to provide the European Commission with comments on two recent policy papers it had issued in January concerning due process in behavioural antitrust cases (Articles 101 and 102 TFEU). The first paper dealt with ‘Best Practices’, the second addressed the role of the Hearing Officer.
The IBA submitted its comments to the EC on 11 March. Apart from some general comments, its submission reviews a number of issues that arise respectively in the course of the investigative phase, around the opening of proceedings and by the time a decision needs to be adopted.
- Download the full IBA submission here
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On the edge: IBAHRI debate on Kenya’s struggle for democratic reform
 The IBAHRI and the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) held a debate on Kenya’s draft constitution and its potential impact on reducing future electoral conflict on Monday 19 April at the Bar Council for England and Wales in London. The debate, entitled On the edge: Kenya’s struggle for democratic reform, focussed on the recently passed new draft constitution, which will be put to a referendum by 2 July 2010 as part of Kenya’s efforts to reform. The event was filmed and will be available on the IBA website's film platform in due course (see below).
Dr Nicholas Cheeseman, the Hugh Price Fellow in African Studies at Jesus College, Oxford University, chaired the discussion. The panel consisted of British journalist Michela Wrong, author of It’s Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower, Sir Edward Clay, former British High Commissioner in Kenya, and Ben Rawlence, Researcher in the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. Apollo Mboya, CEO/Secretary of the Law Society of Kenya, was sadly unable to travel from Nairobi to London to join the panel due to Volcanic ash causing the closure of British airports. Mr Mboya provided his thoughts on the subject in documents that were available at the event.
The panel considered whether the new constitution is a step in the right direction for a stronger Kenyan democracy or whether Kenya remains at risk of further political violence. The panellists presented an analysis of Kenya’s political and historical situation and highlighted the strengths and potential problems of the new constitution. All panellists agreed that the most important elements to watch out for in Kenyan politics are a change of culture and a demonstration of political will, as a new constitution cannot be sufficient in itself to prevent the resurgence of violence.
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Film platform
 The IBA is proud to present its new film platform, providing video footage of both legal business and human rights-related interviews, speeches and panel discussions.
Films currently include interviews with:
- Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai;
- Special Representative of UN Secretary-General on business and human rights; and
- Clifford Chance Senior Partner on law firm management.
It also has:
- a speech at IBA Annual Conference 2009 by Financial Times International Affairs Editor on new international order emerging from crisis; and
- a panel discussion on the future of M&A in India.
Transcripts and summaries of the films are also available on the film platform.
The IBA is committed to continuing to produce quality film content, so check the platform regularly to see what's new.
- View the film platform here.
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WTO Working Group plans benchmark survey
The IBA’s WTO Working Group, led by Steve Nelson, is in the advanced stages of the development of a benchmark study that will assist with understanding the current state of foreign legal practice around the world.
Globalisation of the legal profession is an issue of interest to all Bars, whether they represent developed or developing countries. Although much has been said about foreign legal practice little is known of the actual state of the legal services market when it comes to the question of foreign access.
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Young Lawyers’ Committee internship programme
The IBA’s Young Lawyers’ Committee has recently launched an initiative which provides a platform for law students and recent law graduates to get in touch with law firms from around the globe to assist them in securing overseas internships. The programme will act as a link between law firms listed therein and potential interns. It will provide a list of law firms that are willing to have interns for a specific duration of time.
The platform can also be used for secondment positions. Details of these will be posted in due course and will be accessible only to members of the Young Lawyers' Committee.
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Bolivia: IBAHRI concerned at threats to the independence of the judiciary and legal profession
The IBAHRI has written to the Bolivian Government to express concern at a series of legislative measures that weaken the independence of the judiciary and legal profession as enshrined in the Bolivian Constitution and international law. The IBAHRI considers that the possibility of executive control over the judiciary and the legal profession threatens the system of checks and balances necessary to safeguard the separation of powers, the independence of the legal profession and the right to a fair trial in Bolivia.
‘We are concerned that the control of the Ministry of Justice over the registration of lawyers and bar associations, direct Presidential control over judicial appointments and the creation of the so-called “Committees of Social Control” make the judiciary vulnerable to politicisation,’ said Juan E Méndez, Co-Chair of the IBAHRI. ‘The Bolivian Government should guarantee the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession which is essential to the existence of the rule of law in Bolivia.’
In its letter to President Evo Morales, the IBAHRI urges the Bolivian Government to respect its constitutional and international legal obligations regarding the independence of the judiciary and due process.
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IBA urges key changes ahead of Kampala Review Conference
The defence perspective should be fully included in the planning and deliberations for the International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference, the IBA ICC Programme advised States Parties attending the resumed session of the 8th Assembly of States Parties (ASP) in New York in March.
The Review Conference, scheduled for 31 May to 11 June in Kampala, Uganda, is mandated to consider a limited number of amendments to the Rome Statute, including agreeing on a definition for the crime of aggression. The Conference is also expected to conduct a ‘stocktaking’ of the Rome Statute system, with particular emphasis on four key areas: peace and justice, the impact of the ICC on victims and affected communities, complementarity, and state cooperation.
The IBA fully supports the thematic issues selected for the stocktaking discussion at the Review Conference and welcomes the draft papers prepared by the ASP focal points responsible for facilitating preparations for the stocktaking sessions. However, the IBA considers that a complete and credible assessment of the progress of the Rome Statute system, in particular on issues such as complementarity and cooperation would be incomplete if the defence perspective is not fully included.
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Scholarships
Scholarship to attend the 1st Mediterranean Conference 24-25 June 2010, Rome
 The European Regional Forum is delighted to announce that a scholarship will be awarded to a young lawyer practising in a European country who wishes to participate in the 1st Mediterranean Conference on 24–25 June 2010, Rome, but who is unable to do so owing to financial constraints.
The topics covered in this two-day conference are comprehensive both geographically and in the extent to which they cover the wide spectrum of legal practice. While of relevance to all members of the legal profession, this conference will be of particular interest to private practitioners and in-house counsel, jurists, business representatives, regulators, securities and banking lawyers interested in topics related to the development of investment and commercial relationships in the Mediterranean basin.
The Scholarship Award includes:
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free registration for the IBA European Regional Forums’ 1st Mediterranean Conference, 24–25 June 2010, Rome;
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a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs to the conference; and
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a ticket to the evening dinner on Thursday 24 June 2010.
Applications must be submitted and received by Friday 7 May 2010. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
For further information about the scholarship award and how to apply please click here.
Taxation Section scholarships available for the 2010 IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver
The deadline to apply for the Taxation Section scholarship to attend the IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver is fast approaching. Papers must be submitted and received by Monday 31 May 2010.
Scholarships include free registration to the IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, a contribution towards travel costs to the conference, and much more.
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For full information click here
IBA Young Lawyers' Committee Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award 2010 in recognition of William Reece Smith Jr
The IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee, in collaboration with LexisNexis, is delighted to announce the opening of nominations for the IBA Young Lawyers' Committee Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award 2010. This award is presented to a young lawyer from anywhere in the world who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date but has also shown a commitment to professional/ethical standards.
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IBA Pro Bono and Access to Justice Committee: 2010 Annual Pro Bono Award
The IBA Pro Bono and Access to Justice Committee invites nominations for its prestigious 2010 Annual Pro Bono Award of lawyers who are leading the profession in building a pro bono culture.
LexisNexis is honoured to partner with the Pro Bono and Access to Justice Committee in sponsoring this award. The award will include:
- free registration to attend the IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada, 3–8 October 2010;
- a contribution of up to US$5,000 towards accommodation and travel costs to attend the conference; and
- a year’s free membership of the IBA, PPID and the Pro Bono and Access to Justice Committee.
Nominations must be submitted and received by Friday 2 July 2010. Nominations received after this time will not be considered.
For further information about this award and how to nominate please click here.
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IBA membership
 Membership of the IBA’s committees is the source of the majority of practice specific membership benefit that you receive. Conferences, newsletters and projects all stem from the committees’ officers, who are themselves IBA members and are therefore as relevant and helpful as possible. A quick and easy method of getting more out of your membership is to upgrade to include an additional committee or two. You can find a list of committees that may be of interest to you online in the ‘My IBA’ section of the website.
If you are currently a general member of the IBA you may wish to consider upgrading to full membership. This entails joining a committee in the Legal Practice Division. Once this has been done you will not only receive the chosen committee’s newsletters, but also our flagship international legal journal Business Law International. The IBA also has a Group Membership option for law firms. This scheme allows every lawyer of a firm to become a member of the IBA with one annual payment made by the firm. The additional benefits include free conference passes, ease of further involvement in the IBA’s committees and an exclusive summit which brings together the senior and managing partners of the world’s leading law firms. If you’d like to find out more about upgrading your membership please e-mail the membership team at the address below.
You should now have received an e-mail and a hardcopy reminder about renewal for 2010. If you have yet to receive this please contact us at the e-mail address below and we will alter your contact information. For those of you who have renewed this year, we thank you for your continued support of the IBA.
Please feel free to use this opportunity to give us feedback by sending us your thoughts to member@int-bar.org.
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