Publications for European Regional Forum
Ukraine: how to ‘build back better’?
Ukraine’s rebuild will impact every sphere of public life and specific mechanisms to rebuild Ukraine are currently being discussed. Legal aspects of rebuild are one of the key areas to be considered; this article details some other key aspects.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
The EU’s new regulation for crypto assets: what you should know about MiCA
The European Union is set to introduce the ‘Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation’ to govern cryptocurrencies and related services. The EU Council has finalised the draft regulation, which will likely be approved soon.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
Public consultation on the Lean Documents Project to be launched shortly
The idea of creating a pan-European standard for early-stage investment documents dates back to the second IBA European Start-Up Conference held in London in November 2017.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
IBA European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference – Barcelona, 3–4 May 2023
A conference report on the IBA European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference, held in Barcelona from 3–4 May 2023.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
Latest trends in investment instruments in the Italian venture capital market
In 2012, the first ad-hoc regulation for startups was introduced in Italy. That regulation facilitated growth of the Italian venture capital (VC) market by providing tax and corporate incentives for the setup and funding of startups.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
European Regional Forum Officers and Council Members Annual Retreat – Zurich, March 2023
A report covering the European Regional Forum Officers and Council Members Annual Retreat in Zurich, March 2023.
Released on Jun 11, 2023
Digitally transforming our law firms: inspiration for small to medium sized firms
Takeaways from a panel at the IBA Annual Conference, Miami 2022.
Released on Dec 1, 2022
Key points from online workshop on recruitment and retention
Key points from online workshop on recruitment and retention, the changing expectations of young lawyers in Europe, 7 October 2022
Released on Nov 23, 2022
Summary of talk by Megan Sandler, Slaughter and May
A summary of a talk by Megan Sandler of Slaughter and May, given at the 5th IBA European Start-up Conference on 28 September 2022.
Released on Nov 23, 2022
Takeaways from the 5th IBA European Start-up Conference
A conference report on the 5th IBA European Start-up Conference, held 27–28 September 2022 in Dublin.
Released on Nov 23, 2022
Meeting of the Western and Israel Regional Group in Brussels
An account of the meeting between the Western and Israel Regional Group in Brussels in August.
Released on Sep 15, 2022
An update on the ERF Mental Wellbeing Working Party
If we did a poll asking about the quality of the working environment within the practice group in which you work, what would be your response and the response of the other individual members of your group? More specifically what would be the response if you were asked to rate this working environment in creating a high performing team that cultivates a strong sense of connection/engagement with co-workers and a shared vision whilst supporting the mental wellbeing of its members?
Released on Sep 8, 2022
Takeaways from the 11th Balkan Legal Forum
Released on Aug 10, 2022
IBA European Regional Forum – Nordic Region: Copenhagen seminar with focus on ESG reporting and green marketing and recent political developments in the region
Released on Jun 28, 2022
Exclusive interview with Anna Babych, Vice-Chair of the ERF Public Policy Group and executive partner of Ukrainian law firm Aequo
ERF Officer Anna Babych, an executive partner of Ukrainian law firm Aequo, offers insight into the impact of the war in Ukraine on herself and her team. She details the day the invasion began, her decision to leave Ukraine, and her continuing work during the war.
Released on Apr 6, 2022
Why lawyers should never underestimate the importance of communication
Communication is an art rather than a science, and effective communication skills are essential to law practitioners. However, effective communication with clients isn’t something that most lawyers give much thought. This article provides communication advice for lawyers.
Released on Mar 21, 2022
European Regional Forum Western and Israel Regional Working Group report
An update on the latest trends in the Italian market for startups and benefit corporations, better known as B Corporations.
Released on Mar 21, 2022
A short presentation of the activities of the D&I working group
The D&I working group wants to understand more about how diversity and inclusion is perceived by European law firms, as well as try to learn from each other’s experiences and help European independent law firms to be aware of D&I needs and implement proper actions.
Released on Mar 21, 2022
IBA European Regional Forum Diversity & Inclusion Survey report: Building active engagement with Diversity & Inclusion
A report on a survey created by the Diversity and Inclusion Working Party of the IBA European Regional Forum to understand how Diversity & Inclusion is perceived by European law firms and to try to learn from each other’s experience.
Released on Jan 13, 2022
Travelling along the Camino Way: searching for meaning and purpose in the company of the European Regional Forum
Each year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims (from many faith traditions and from none) set out from popular starting points across Europe to travel along the Camino Way on foot or by bicycle to Santiago de Compostela and Cape Finisterre in Northern Spain, which was known as the ‘end of the world’ in Roman times). The Camino Way is not one but a network of routes many of which were established in the early Middle Ages all heading in the same direction.
Released on Jan 4, 2022
Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Until recently, neurodivergent individuals are likely to have been treated in a different and unfair way, which causes disempowerment, discrimination and unequal life opportunities. There is still a long way to go in terms of tackling the stigma. However, companies are becoming increasingly aware that great minds think differently, and that employing people who are neurodiverse can be a huge competitive advantage.
Released on Jul 14, 2021
ERF D&I European Legal Sector Article
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) is a topic that is increasingly becoming part of core business strategy, no longer simply an issue for HR to consider. With increasing evidence that ED&I directly contributes to business outperformance, many business leaders today are looking to up their game in this space. How can we afford not to take this agenda seriously?
Released on Jul 14, 2021
IBA Wellbeing Survey: the need for a more effective response from the legal profession
In 2019, the IBA established a taskforce with a view to implementing an internationally coordinated response to all too frequent reports of substance abuse, severe depression and suicide within the profession. This article explores recent findings from the taskforce’s wellbeing survey.
Released on May 28, 2021
Covid-19 vaccines: compensation issues for Covid-19 vaccine injuries in Sweden
In Sweden, the Swedish Pharmaceutical Insurance enables individuals to obtain compensation for vaccine-related personal injuries. However, liability under the Insurance has recently been limited in relation to certain personal injuries caused by Covid-19 vaccines. In order to ensure an efficient and comprehensive compensation system for potential Covid-19 vaccine injuries, the Swedish Government has recently proposed a new law on state compensation.
Released on May 28, 2021
Get to know the IBA European Regional Forum Officers of 2021
Get to know the IBA European Regional Forum Officers of 2021.
Class actions in the UK: preparing for a changing landscape
If you were asked to name a well-known example of a class action, the first one to spring to mind might be Hollywood's Erin Brockovich, based on the true story of a Californian community that claimed for damages against an energy corporation for suspected groundwater contamination, and secured a multi-million-dollar settlement.
What they didn't teach you at law school: keeping mentally fit in your professional life
Chris Owen, Co-Chair of the IBA European Regional Forum was recently invited by the Slovak Bar Association to give a talk on the subject of keeping mentally fit in your professional life. Chris began the talk by looking at the historical reluctance within the legal profession to talk about our own or other people’s mental wellbeing. It was not considered an appropriate subject of conversation.
2nd IBA European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference takeaways
At the 2nd IBA European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference held last week we heard from Professor Nick Reed as the keynote speaker of the need for a radical transformation of mobility services based on a coherent vision that embraces safety, sustainability, prosperity, equality and inclusion. To Professor Reed, the 2020s are likely to be the decade of transport data which we will need to aggregate and analyse to inform that vision.
Draft corporate group law in Poland – a revolutionary legislative initiative
By Dr Joanna Schubel. The expert committee in the Polish government published in July 2020 a draft regulation on a new corporate group law. The proposed solutions are revolutionary for Polish corporate law as they include a recognition of a common interest of the group. The committee hopes that the draft will still be discussed in the Polish parliament this autumn.
What if future EU mandatory human rights due diligence legislation comes to rescue of French Corporate Duty of Vigilance law?
French Law has recently implemented a recent obligation on companies to implement a human rights due diligence vigilance plan. EU legislators are also considering introducing legislation requiring companies operating on the EU market to take steps to prevent any human rights and environmental violations arising out of their business activities. However, the scope and the applicability of the law has yet to be determined