Academic and Professional Development Committee

The Committee connects law schools, legal professionals and the IBA. We aim to enhance the quality of the legal profession worldwide, modernise legal practice and attract top talent to the profession. We engage directly with law schools, helping students prepare for international practice, and support IBA initiatives to strengthen local Bars globally.

At annual conferences, we bring together academics, lawyers and experts to explore issues relating to legal and business education. Additionally, we conduct research on these subjects and share insights through newsletters and updates on our webpage to benefit the global legal community.

Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee

The Committee aims to gather global information on barriers to justice and solutions to such challenges, focusing on statutory schemes such as legal aid. The findings are shared through reports and events, with all of the relevant information available on the Committee’s website for those unable to attend in-person events. Acting as a central hub within the IBA, the Committee coordinates efforts on access to justice and legal aid, collaborating with other committees on joint projects. The IBA’s global reach supports the exchange of best practices, offering valuable insights for jurisdictions facing challenges in maintaining or improving access to justice during times of austerity.

Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee (ANLBS)

Originally constituted following the introduction of multidisciplinary practices (MDPs), the ANLBS exists today as an event-driven forum to explore and keep members apprised of the legal, regulatory and technological developments impacting how legal services are provided around the globe. Whether driven by regulatory reforms, market trends or technological changes, the ANLBS focuses on exploring the ever-changing ways lawyers provide legal services.

Forum for Barristers and Advocates

The Forum represents Bar associations whose members practise as independent referral practitioners in jurisdictions with a divided legal profession. Formed by Bar leaders, the Forum advocates for the principles of independent advocacy within the IBA. The Forum addresses the importance of advocate and judiciary independence, ethical conduct and training. The Forum supports human rights and collaborates with the Judges’ Forum and other committees on litigation and trial subjects. The Forum’s inaugural members include Bar associations from England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong, representing over 16,000 barristers and advocates. Membership is open to Bar associations that are full or supporting members of the IBA and to individual members of any divisions.

Forum for Government and Public Lawyers

The Forum provides a platform for government and public lawyers worldwide. As the global voice of the legal profession, the IBA supports these lawyers and connects them with both public and private sector practitioners. The Forum focuses on the role of government and public lawyers, covering public service values, ethics, specialist skills and public international law developments. Membership is open to Bar associations that are IBA members and individual members of any division. The Forum is especially relevant to practitioners working for government or public entities at domestic, regional or international levels.

Human Rights Law Committee (HRLC)

The HRLC aims to promote human rights across all areas of the legal profession, as well as within the broader community. The Committee welcomes contributions, either through article submissions, becoming an officer or speaking at conferences. The value of membership is enhanced through active participation, so please get involved.

Judges’ Forum

Membership of the Forum is open to judges at all levels of court and seniority, whether exercising general or special jurisdiction, and including part-time retired judges. It is hoped that members of the IBA who have been active within its committees and constituents while practising as lawyers will find in the Judges’ Forum an additional means of maintaining their involvement after appointment or election to the Bench.

The activities of the Forum are normally concentrated on the organisation of sessions at annual conferences organised by the IBA. It has been the practice in recent years for those sessions to be co-sponsored with other IBA committees and constituents, dealing with subjects of mutual interest, such as litigation, education, ethics and the elimination of bias. The Forum also produces an ad hoc newsletter; contributions are encouraged.

Law Firm Management Committee

The mission of the Committee is to be a leading global forum for the exchange of best practices in law practice leadership and management through sharing and discussing concepts, experience, knowledge and trends on law firm and law practice management issues and subjects.

LGBTQI+ Law Committee

The Committee tracks advancements and setbacks in various areas, including discrimination, criminalisation, family rights, recognition and status and identity, among others, and considers the legal implications of cultural and socio-economic issues related to LGBTQI+ interests.

The Committee aims to promote diversity and inclusiveness within the legal profession and society at large by presenting LGBTQI+ ideals and calling attention to legal matters and developments through sessions, publications, projects and collaborations with other IBA committees and external parties. The Committee welcomes LGBTQI+ individuals and allies and encourages all persons interested in such projects to join the Committee.

Poverty and Social Development Committee

The Committee builds on years of work carried out under various IBA auspices. The aim is to engage the legal profession in order to contribute to UN Sustainability Goal 1: Eradicating Poverty. The Committee advocates for using the law to protect individuals and communities from poverty, thus promoting wellbeing. The Committee believes that legal professionals have a duty to create and apply the law for good, preventing exploitation and mitigating harm. Planned projects include a podcast, a practical book for lawyers, a session at the IBA Annual Conference and support for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) focused on poverty eradication. Members are invited to join the Committee’s efforts.

Pro Bono Committee

The Committee promotes pro bono legal services globally, through the IBA Pro Bono Declaration, the exchange of information and initiatives and by promoting best practices.

Pro bono work supports access to justice in situations where this right is not fully supported by legal aid. The Committee provides resources, including digital content and articles, highlighting pro bono efforts by legal professionals.

The Committee is committed to advancing pro bono work across the profession and welcomes new members who are passionate about contributing to this mission.

Professional Ethics Committee

The Committee provides a forum for all international lawyers who are interested in discussing and debating issues affecting the practice of law. In today’s world, a lawyer may face conflicting duties, and the application of professional standards may be far from apparent. The Committee focuses on developments of international significance and seeks active collaboration with other committees and constituents in providing programmes at IBA conferences.

The Committee works closely with the IBA Standing Committee on Professional Ethics which is concerned with the maintenance and periodical reform of the International Code of Ethics.

The Committee seeks to facilitate relevant networking and information/experience-sharing opportunities and encompasses the social and collegial interests of both members and potential members in regard to other regional fora, the Corporate Counsel Forum and the Young Lawyers’ Committee, as well as IBA Legal Practice Division committees in general.

Regulation of Lawyers Committee

The Committee provides a global perspective on the practical and legal aspects of the growing body of regulation affecting all lawyers (whether individual lawyers, firms, in-house lawyers or those who work for clients), as well as current professional risk management subjects and compliance issues affecting lawyers around the world. The Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Experts Subcommittee focuses on anti-money laundering requirements and financial and trade sanctions legislation, regulation and trends in terms of how they impact lawyers. The Committee provides a forum to discuss and consider legislation impacting the practice of law, considering the ever-expanding multi-jurisdictional approach to the regulation of lawyers.

Rule of Law Forum

The Rule of Law Forum, established in 2007, supports IBA members in advocating for the rule of law, as per the 2005 Prague Resolution. Originally the Rule of Law Action Group, the Forum operates within the SPPI. Its purpose is to assist members in responding to the IBA Council’s call to support the rule of law within their respective communities. The Forum’s activities are led by co-chairs, with vice-chairs assisting them. The Forum does not involve formal membership, but it maintains a circulation list. Liaison members from other IBA committees help integrate the rule of law into their work.

Senior Lawyers’ Committee

Formed in 2005, the Committee represents senior lawyers and has received interest from younger IBA members eager to learn from their experience. The Committee aims to combat age discrimination, promote mentorship and facilitate global networking opportunities. The Committee organises sessions and social events, often in collaboration with other IBA committees, focusing on how the expertise of senior lawyers can benefit the profession. Recent subjects  addressed by the Committee include discrimination, career progression and mentorship. The Committee also helps senior lawyers find roles through which they can share their experience, including sustainable development projects within IBA member organisations.

War Crimes Committee

The Committee works to promote justice around the world and uphold the principle of accountability. The main focus is on atrocity crimes, international criminal law and practice. The Committee provides a forum for practitioners and scholars, offering access to reliable resources and a network of contacts in the field. The Committee supports international, ad hoc and domestic war crimes tribunals and collaborates with the IBA's Human Rights Institute to promote justice and accountability. The Committee also has a working relationship with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Committee’s aims include being a leading professional body for international criminal law, providing valuable resources and inspiring young lawyers in this area.

The Women Lawyers’ Committee (WLC)

The WLC aspires to empower its 3,000 highly valued members from all over the world to engage, network and share knowledge. The Committee was originally an interest group, which was introduced as an IBA constituent in 1996 to facilitate efficient global networking opportunities for female lawyers.

The WLC aims to level the playing field across the legal profession and inspire leaders to work to achieve gender parity. Its 20 officers are involved in creating awareness tools to help the profession achieve this goal, while, at the same time, to facilitate an efficient global network for women lawyers to connect and develop business opportunities and expertise, supported by its advisory board.

The Committee welcomes members of all genders, encourages all perspectives and remains dedicated to the promotion of female lawyers within the profession.

The Young Lawyers’ Committee (YLC)

The YLC aims to help young lawyers enhance their skills and build networks through the provision of IBA programmes, conferences and projects, while providing the IBA with fresh ideas. The Committee’s activities aim to promote the IBA among young lawyers globally and highlight the benefits of membership.

Key initiatives include the delivery of Young Lawyer Training Courses, which connect young lawyers with senior professionals, and activities that encourage the involvement of young lawyers within various IBA divisions. The YLC also fosters communication through newsletters and e-Bulletins, reporting on activities and sharing articles from young lawyers worldwide on relevant legal subjects. The Committee’s goal is to actively engage young lawyers in global discussions and IBA activities.