Introduction by the President of the International Bar Association

I am delighted to invite you to the International Bar Association’s 2007 Annual Conference in Singapore.
The World Bank rated Singapore as ‘the most business-friendly economy in the world’ in 2006, and as such it is a superb setting for lawyers around the world to meet and discuss the most current developments in all areas of the legal profession.
A centre for trade since the third century AD, its history and tradition of international exchange is lengthy and provides an appropriate backdrop for our own international exchange of knowledge and contacts.
The IBA Annual Conference is an unparalleled opportunity for practitioners from every continent to meet and hear first-hand about legal developments in various jurisdictions.  As the global voice of the legal profession, the IBA is uniquely qualified to gather delegates to exchange immensely valuable knowledge and expertise through the outstanding work of the specialist committees, constituents, groups, and fora.
Three impressive showcase sessions will be presented this year, of great interest to lawyers of all disciplines. On Monday 15 October, the Public and Professional Interest Division will examine the value of awareness of cultural differences to lawyers working cross-jurisdictionally.
On the morning of Wednesday 17 October, the Legal Practice Division looks closely at the relationship between the rule of law and economic development, specifically through foreign investment. That afternoon, the Human Rights Institute will highlight some of the key develop-ments in the global struggle against corruption, and on Friday the whole day is dedicated to the rule of law.
If you are not already a member of the IBA, I urge you to join. While it makes a saving on the registration fees for the conference, the real value is in the continual benefits to your education and professional development throughout the year. We encourage practitioners from every field to get involved with our work and contribute to the dialogue that allows us to contribute to the strategy of building and strengthening the legal profession around the world. Those who do so find it very rewarding both professionally and personally.
I very much hope you will join us in Singapore and I look forward to meeting you there.

Fernando Pombo
President, International Bar Association

Message from the Chair of the Legal Practice Division of the IBA

Cross-jurisdictional issues continue to be one of the greatest challenges facing international lawyers. This is true both for the substantive legal issues our clients face and also for own legal practices, which now need to incorporate elements of law from all over the globe.  Singapore is a venue particularly suited to discussions about these issues. In 2006, Foreign Policy Magazine gave Singapore the top rank in its Globalization Index, an annual study assessing which nations are the most globally connected.
The Legal Practice Division showcase session on Wednesday morning will illuminate the problems faced by international businesses when countries abandon the rule of law and the economic impact of the rule of law or its absence. In addition, we are pleased to offer you throughout the week over one hundred sessions run by our sections, committees, and specialist groups that cover a wide selection of substantive topics currently affecting all areas of law. These sessions will bring together leading experts in their fields from jurisdictions around the world. To complete your experience is a programme of very special social events, including the opening party at the historic Raffles Hotel and culminating in a spectacular closing party on the Singapore River at the Asian Civilisations Museum, which will offer a wonderful cultural perspective of the vibrant multi-ethnic society of the region.
We offer a wide range of specialist activities throughout the year, and the Annual Conference is a special opportunity each year for practitioners in
every field to pool this expertise for the benefit of all. There is no better occasion for lawyers to gain useful and interesting substantive knowledge on such a broad scope of topics, while at the same time enjoying the pleasure of seeing old friends and making new ones in an exciting location.  I urge you to attend, especially if you have not done so before.
I look forward to seeing you in Singapore.

David W Rivkin
Chair, Legal Practice Division

Message from the Chair of the Public and Professional Interest Division of the IBA

Practising lawyers around the world, despite the differences between their specialist areas, have a shared interest in broader matters concerning the legal profession. They actively participate in promotion of the rule of law, access to justice, and human rights; they are interested in the management of their practice, day-to-day implications of the regulatory issues and professional ethics; and they sacrifice time by doing pro bono work or participating in projects of corporate social responsibility. The Public and Professional Interest Division (PPID) brings together an incomparable international assemblage of people and perspectives to examine these issues and others. In addition, the Annual Conference offers a wonderful opportunity for delegates to make contacts in their fields of interest, and to discover new ways to get involved with the very important work of the PPID.
This division is your chance to become a meaningful component of the global voice of the legal profession as the practice of law evolves to meet the changes demanded by our times. In addition to its constituents specialising in various issues of importance from the perspective of individual members, the Bar Issues Commission provides a forum for bar associations and law societies from around the world to discuss issues of common interest among themselves as well as with the individual members, and to seek mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges presented by increased globalisation.
There is, without question, something of great benefit for you and your practice within the exciting variety of sessions presented by the PPID at this year’s Annual Conference. I very much hope to see you in Singapore to welcome you to our division, which in a way can be called the heart of the IBA.