Legal Policy & Research Unit
The IBA Legal Projects Director oversees the Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the Bar Issues Commission project lawyers. The team undertakes research, and develops and implements innovative strategies, projects and initiatives that are relevant to business and the rule of law, the global legal profession and the broader global community.
Sustainable Law in Action podcast series
Latest episode: A conversation with Spanish senior lawyer Marlen Estévez
Baroness Kennedy KC delivers her opening remarks at the session: Women in law: always the bridesmaid, rarely the Supreme Court Justice, at the IBA Annual Conference in Paris.
Sara Carnegie speaking at event on Tax Transparency and Corruption at the University of Vienna's Economics and Business School, in association with the World Bank and UNODC, about Lawyer Client Confidentiality and Anti-Corruption - July 2023
Sara Carnegie and George Artley attend the Law Society of Ireland Wellbeing Festival in Dublin.
Sara Carnegie and George Artley attend the Law Society of Ireland Wellbeing Festival in Dublin.
Beatriz Martinez has been shortlisted for the Unsung Hero award at the British Legal Awards
Sara Carnegie at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Private Sector Consultative Forum at the UNODC headquarters in Vienna with representatives from the ABA, CCBE and Emma Oettinger from the IBA Regulation of Lawyers Committee – May 2023.
Sara Carnegie at the OECD Partnership of International Organisations for Effective Rulemaking in Geneva – May 2023.
Anurag Bana with Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology at the Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy, organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva – May 2023.
Flagship projects
Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Examining the professional role of lawyers as ethical gatekeepers within wider society and to help clarify their ethical responsibilities and obligations.
View project50:50 by 2030 Gender Project
The IBA ‘50:50 by 2030’ nine-year project aims to uncover the root-causes of the lack of gender parity at the most senior levels of the legal profession.
View projectClimate Crisis
The increase in global temperatures and rising sea levels represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to humanity and life on the planet.
View projectMental Wellbeing
The IBA has embarked on a global campaign to address the mental health crisis in the legal profession, bringing together research and resources from around the world.
View projectOur areas of work
Digital Disruptive Innovation
Read more
Bar related project work
Read more
Future Trends and Focus
Read more
Business and Ethics
Read moreReports
The LPRU have created and contributed to a number of legal reports, articles and guidance documents.
Legal Internship Programme
Intern positions are available for undergraduate law students, postgraduate law students, and newly qualified lawyers.
How to applyProject Proposal Process
Could your project benefit from the support of the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit?
Find out moreIn 2022-2023 the LPRU:
Participated in over 40 events – in person and online
Drafted 7 reports
Contributed to at least 12 published articles
Recorded 3 podcasts
Was shortlisted for 7 legal industry awards, including Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year and Gender Equality Initiative of the Year
News and recent releases
External engagement
Upcoming events
8
DEC
IBA co-hosts side event at COP28 - Everything, Everywhere, all at Once: Lawyers Tackling the Climate Crisis
On Friday 8 December the IBA, alongside the American Bar Association, Brazilian Bar Association and Law Society of England and Wales, will co-host an off-site event at COP28 in Dubai. Experts will discuss the role that legal professionals and organisations must play in addressing the international challenges posed by climate change. The event will run from 14:00-18:00. Register here.
1-12
DEC
IBA granted Blue Zone access at COP28 in Dubai
Lara Douvartzidis travels to Dubai in November for COP28, where the IBA has been granted access to the Blue Zone alongside accredited participants and official observers. The IBA will also host a side event alongside the American Bar Association, the Brazilian Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales.
11
DEC
Sara Carnegie attends Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Atlanta
Sara Carnegie travels to Atlanta in December to speak on a panel alongside WEF, IFAC and UNODC on the role of lawyers as ethical gatekeepers; their responsibilities and obligations when providing legal services. Please register here to virtually attend the sessions.
Recent events
10
NOV
Lara Douvartzidis travels to Georgia for Conference on Business and Human Rights
Lara Douvartzidis travels to Tbilisi this week for the Conference on Business and Human Rights, where discussions will focus on international and regional legal frameworks, the prevention of human rights violations by businesses and best practice guidance. Hosted by the European Associations of Lawyers in partnership with the Georgian Bar Association, the conference is supported by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia, UN OHCHR, Council of Europe and USAID Rule of Law Programme.
29
OCT
LPRU hosts sessions at IBA Annual Conference in Paris
The LPRU hosted a number of sessions on Climate, Ethics, Business & Human Rights, Mental Wellbeing, Gender Equality and Cybersecurity, as well as networking with colleagues and stakeholders from around the world.
17
OCT
IBA launches Anti-Corruption Survey for the legal profession
IBA launches Anti-Corruption Survey for the legal profession The IBA has launched its Anti-Corruption Survey, part of Phase 2 of the Association's Anti-Corruption Strategy, developed by the LPRU and the Anti-Corruption Committee, with input from the OECD. The survey is open to all legal professionals across all sectors, and participants are invited to share their views on the risks and challenges posed by corruption to the legal profession. Click here to download the survey.
5
OCT
Beatriz Martinez presenting the IBA Young Lawyers Report at the Cyprus Bar
Beatriz Martinez presents the findings of the 2022 IBA report into the challenges faced by young lawyers in the profession today. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion with participants on their concerns, priorities and hopes for the future.
28
SEP
George Artley speaking at the Fifth Annual Wellbeing for Lawyers Conference
George Artley joins colleagues from law firms, barristers chambers, in-house legal and HR departments to discuss the importance of managing wellbeing in the working environment, and how developing and applying the principles of wellbeing are not only essential in themselves but are also inextricably linked to profitability and productivity.