To help the International Bar Association (IBA) protect the rule of law through increasing awareness among law professionals of the legal measures available to combat corruption, the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) is asking all law professionals, including barristers, compliance officers, in-house counsel, judges and lawyers at law firms, to complete a brief survey (available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish).

Through the survey results, the IBA hopes to learn more about the forms and extent of corruption that affect legal practitioners, how they respond when placed at risk and what kind of dangers corruption – including overseas bribery – poses to the legal profession.

This survey is part of Phase 2 of the IBA Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession – a project developed by the IBA LPRU and the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee, with input from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Bank.

Although the term ‘corruption’ is not standardised by the IBA or the OECD, one commonly used definition that encompasses a wide range of corrupt practices is ‘abuse of public or private office for personal gain.’

‘Foreign bribery’ is the term used to describe situations in which businesses or people offer or provide a bribe to a foreign authority in order to gain an advantage in an international business transaction, such as obtaining an operating licence, an oil or gas concession, or a building contract.

Andrew Levine, Co-Chair of the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee, stated: ‘The IBA has always championed the fight against corruption and vocally promoted the profession’s core values. This survey represents a new charge in our efforts to protect the rule of law from abuse of power and foreign bribery. It is paramount that the IBA, the profession’s global voice, leads the way in standing against corruption and the systems that enable it.’

Nicola Bonucci, Member of the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee Advisory Board, commented: ‘It is the responsibility of our profession to protect the integrity of the judicial system and combat illicit practices. Corruption exacerbates inequality and erodes democracy; its impact on the economy and the environment is pervasive and holding corrupt companies and individuals to account is for the good of all. The survey is an important step for the profession in understanding the global legislation which exists today, what has changed and what still needs to be done.’

Sarah Carnegie, IBA Legal Projects Director, who recently spoke in Atlanta, United States at the United Nations Conference of States’ Parties on the Convention against Corruption, said the project was discussed during the forum and the IBA was applauded for leading this work. ‘However, without data, there is little we can do and the legal profession needs to show external stakeholders and civil society that we are serious about understanding and tackling the problem of corruption’, she said.

Direct enquiries to the IBA Legal Projects Director, Ms Carnegie (sara.carnegie@int-bar.org) and Bar Issues Commission Project Lawyer, Dr George Artley (george.artley@int-bar.org).

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

1. Click here to access the survey.
2. Click here to download a copy of the Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession project.

3. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.

   The IBA acts as a connector, enabler, and influencer, for the administration of justice, fair practice, and accountability worldwide. The IBA has collaborated on a broad range of ground-breaking, international projects with the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, The Commonwealth, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others.

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Please direct enquiries/interview requests to:

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Website page link for this news release:

Short link: www.tinyurl.com/yc2h3e4u
Full link: www.ibanet.org/IBA-calls-on-law-professionals-to-participate-in-brief-anti-corruption-survey