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.
LPRU attends London Climate Action Week, in collaboration with the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Brazilian Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, with support from the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance & United Kingdom Environmental Law Association, June 2025
Sara Carnegie and George Artley at the IBA midyear meetings and Bar Leaders’ Conference, alongside Christina Blacklaws and IBA President Jaime Carey and his wife
George Artley contributed to a session at the 2025 OCED Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum
Anurag Bana with fellow panellists at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference in Malta
Anurag Bana speaking on a panel about AI and the Workplace at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference in Malta
Sara Carnegie speaking during the 2025 FATF Private Sector Collaborative Forum in Mumbai
Sara Carnegie attends the Commonwealth Lawyers Association conference in Malta
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 projectRaising the Bar: Women in Law Project
The IBA’s multi-year project explores women’s representation at all levels of the profession, with a focus on senior positions, and the impact of workplace initiatives.
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 project
News and recent releases
Our areas of work
Select an area of work to see all relevant projects.
Digital Disruptive Innovation
Bar related project work
Future Trends and Focus
Business and Ethics
Reports
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 2024 the LPRU:
Participated in over 40 global events
Won Gender Equality Initiative of the Year at the Women & Diversity in Law Awards
Attended five UN events
Founded a Climate Registry for bars
Published nine reports/articles
Contributed to five podcasts
External engagement
LPRU and UN Engagement in 2024
In 2024 the LPRU continued with its global engagement and advocacy on critical policy priorities including climate change, anti-corruption and legal ethics. Our commitment to amplify the IBA's voice on the international stage is evidenced in our multilateral interactions with the United Nations and affiliated organisations, including recent attendance at COP29 and CoSP.
Upcoming events
20
NOV
IBA co-convenes official side event at UNFCCC COP30
The IBA, in collaboration with other bar associations and with LPRU coordination, convenes an official side event examining how law firms, legal associations and practitioners can support implementation of government and corporate climate commitments. Discussion topics include the role of pro bono and strategic litigation in promoting accountability, challenges facing lawyers representing climate-affected communities, and more. Learn more here.
21
NOV
LPRU supports webinar on Law firm ESG decisions in the current geopolitical and economic environment
The LPRU joins the IBA Latin American Regional Forum, the IBA African Regional Forum, the IBA North American Regional Forum, the IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum and the IBA European Regional Forum in supporting this webinar presented by the ESG Subcommittee of the IBA Law Firm Management Committee. Today’s increasingly tumultuous environment has led to a dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape, leaving law firms facing important strategic questions. This webinar offers a timely discussion of the expectations and challenges for lawyers and their law firms/companies in terms of ESG, given today’s rapidly changing environment and world. Register here.
1
DEC
LPRU supports webinar on COP30 outcomes
LPRU joins the Maritime and Transport Law Committee in supporting the Environmental, Health and Safety Law Committee, at a post-COP30 webinar to reflect on the outcomes of the conference and other critical developments in international environmental law in 2025, and explore their implications for lawyers and what to expect in 2026. Register here.
15-19
DEC
LPRU co-organizes two official events at CoSP 11 in Qatar
LPRU is co-organizing two sessions at the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of States Parties (CoSP) 11 in Qatar. Judicial Well-being as the Foundation of Integrity will explore initiatives to promote judicial well-being as a cornerstone of integrity, trust and accountability. It will feature diverse perspectives from judicial actors and experts worldwide, including PNG’s leadership in drafting the proposed Commentary to the Nauru Declaration, while addressing evolving demands on the judiciary. Secondly, Out of the Grey Zone: the Role of Professional Service Providers will consider the path forward for Member States and professional service providers to counter corruption and illicit financial flows.
Recent events
14
NOV
IBA co-convenes roundtable event at Climate Law & Governance Day 2025
The IBA, along with bar associations, academic institutions, law firms and leading organisations, and with support from the LPRU, convened an expert roundtable exploring the consequences of recent international advisory opinions on climate change for corporations and legal practitioners. The session explored how these developments may influence national laws, corporate climate governance and litigation, and the role of bar associations in equipping lawyers to advise clients effectively. More information is available here.
8-9
NOV
Anurag Bana attends SIFoCC’s 6th full meeting in Delhi
Anurag Bana travelled to India for the 6th full meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC). This meeting saw delegations from jurisdictions all over the world come together to share best practice, identify innovations, assist each other, and consider together how to meet to challenges, opportunities and expectations. Learn more here.
7-8
NOV
IBA supports pre-COP30 Global Summit in Brazil
Ahead of COP30, the IBA, with LPRU coordination, supported a Pre-COP Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sessions featured discussions on the role of lawyers and legal associations in the energy transition, climate litigation and much more. Panel sessions included: Energy Transition and the New Global Geopolitics; Brazil +25 - A Vision for Green Reindustrialization; Clean Energy: Europe's relationship with Latin America, and Climate Finance. Learn more here.
28-30
OCT
LPRU co-hosts anti-money laundering initiative in Cayman Islands
Sara Carnegie and George Artley travel to the Cayman Islands for the first in a series of anti-money laundering (AML) capacity building initiatives jointly convened by the IBA, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Specifically designed for the Caribbean Region, the training invites executive leadership of Professional Accountancy Organisations and Bar Associations, to come together in the fight against money laundering. Led by AML experts from the FATF and Caribbean FATF, IBA and IFAC, this event brings together the accountancy and legal professions in a unique learning environment with the aim of strengthening AML contributions in the region.