Committee publications
Getting to Know the ERF – Aniko Keller
Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Diversity and Inclusion Group Vice Chair, Aniko Keller
Released on Oct 21, 2025
Session report from the 9th Global Entrepreneurship Conference in May 2025: How closely held companies are managing risk and uncertainty in a constantly evolving environment
This article provides a summary of the session titled ‘How closely held companies are managing risk and uncertainty in a constantly evolving environment’, held at the 9th Global Entrepreneur-ship Conference. The panel convened to discuss the biggest risks, externally and internally, for closely held companies in uncertain times, and how closely held companies can prepare for such challenges.
Released on Oct 21, 2025
Surrogacy in Namibia: legal silence, citizenship denied and the rights of LGBTQI+ families
Namibia’s lack of legislation on surrogacy, alongside the growing number of children born through this medically assisted method, has created a significant legal vacuum. This gap leaves families – particularly LGBTQI+ parents – vulnerable and unrecognised. This article examines the implications of this gap through the lens of the landmark Lühl-Delgado case, where a Namibian father’s surrogacy-born children were denied citizenship. It calls for urgent reform to align Namibia’s family law and citizenship frameworks with constitutional protections of dignity, equality and the best interests of the child.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
LGBTQI+ rights in Colombia: progress and persistent challenges in 2025
Colombia stands out in Latin America for its progressive legal framework protecting LGBTQI+ rights. Yet, despite these legal advances, the lived reality for many LGBTQI+ Colombians remains fraught with violence, discrimination and systemic neglect.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
Summary of the IBA webinar: ‘Ten years since Leghari v Pakistan: the state of play in international climate litigation’
This year, 2025, marks ten years since Asghar Leghari successfully challenged the Pakistan government’s failure to implement its National Climate Change Policy. In recognition of this milestone, in September 2025, the IBA Environment, Health and Safety Law Committee, with support from the IBA Litigation Committee and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit, convened a webinar of legal experts including Asghar Leghari himself, to consider the impacts of the decision and the subsequent evolution of climate jurisprudence across the globe, including groundbreaking recent advisory opinions delivered by the International Court of Justice and Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
Major developments in immigration law and nationality law (December 2024–September 2025)
This briefing summarises the principal legal changes, constitutional developments and public debates in Portugal relating to immigration (Law No 23/2007 and related instruments) and nationality (citizenship) law that occurred between December 2024 and September 2025.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
Nigeria Visa Policy 2025
Nigeria’s 2025 New Visa Policy (‘NVP 2025’) introduces a fully electronic visa (‘e-Visa’) system, replacing the visa-on-arrival (VoA) and requiring applicants to apply and receive approvals online before travel, aiming to simplify and secure entry for business, tourism and investment. Applicants can now apply and receive decisions on their visas online within 48 hours. The New Visa Policy system was launched on 1 May 2025 and implemented on 8 May 2025 and is integrated with global security databases. Other reforms include mandatory digital landing and exit cards and an amnesty period for foreigners to regularise their immigration status without penalties.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
12 October: Schengen countries start implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES)
On 12 October 2025, Schengen countries began phasing in the Entry/Exit System (EES), set to be fully operational by 10 April 2026. Replacing passport stamps, the EES records entry, exit and biometric data at external borders of 29 Schengen states. It applies to third-country nationals on short stays (visa-required or exempt) but excludes long-stay visa holders, residents and nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The system enforces the 90/180-day rule, detects overstays and combats identity fraud. While designed to speed up border checks, travellers may face longer waiting times during the initial biometric enrolment.
Released on Oct 20, 2025
Doing business between China and India: challenges behind and opportunities ahead
China and India are the world’s two largest developing economies, possessing not only vast consumer markets but also formidable production capabilities. Their combined strengths in manufacturing, technology and infrastructure make them top destinations for foreign investment. In recent years, cross-border trade between the two nations has grown significantly. However, entities from both countries face an ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape when investing, including policy adjustments, compliance challenges and geopolitical considerations.
Released on Oct 19, 2025
The future of law practice: empowering young lawyers through early inclusion in management
The legal profession is consistently evolving with the advance of technology, shifting both client expectations, and workforce dynamics. In this ever-changing landscape, law firms must adopt sustainable practices to ensure resilience, sustained relevance, and long-term growth. To be precise, one of the most strategic sustainability approaches lies in rethinking traditional hierarchies by involving young lawyers in management decision-making processes from an early stage in their careers.
Released on Oct 14, 2025
AI, digitalisation and the UK immigration system
In recent years the UK government has pushed ahead with the large-scale digitalisation of immigration and border services. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven tools, while still marginal, are increasingly becoming part of this programme. The stated aims of this automation have included expediting low-complexity transactions, automating identity and document checks, and freeing civil servants to focus on legally complex matters. However, civil-society groups and lawyers have grown increasingly vocal about transparency, fairness, and the lawfulness of automated tools.
Released on Oct 14, 2025
Green leases – or ideology in contract law
For several years, the topic of ‘green leases’ has been discussed in law firm and auditing companies’ publications, as well as in specialised legal literature, most recently in Austria, in the journal immolex 2024/71. According to this recent discussion, a green lease is one in which the landlord and tenant agree on the ‘sustainable’ use and management of the rental property.
Released on Oct 14, 2025
The strategic use of Brazilian antitrust procedures in private disputes
In recent years, the Brazilian Competition Authority (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica, ‘CADE’) has increasingly become a forum for resolving predominantly private disputes. While the Brazilian Competition Law (Law No 12.529/2011. ‘BCL’) was designed to safeguard competition as a public good, parties increasingly use antitrust procedures strategically to influence private disputes, such as corporate transactions, contract enforcement, or judgment execution, whenever these matters fall within CADE’s jurisdiction.
Released on Oct 13, 2025
European Commission Issues First-Ever No-Poach Decision
On 2 June 2025, the European Commission issued its first decision on no-poach agreements. Following dawn raids in July 2022 and November 2023, it fined Delivery Hero and Glovo €329m for participating in a food delivery cartel, which comprised not only no-poach agreements but also information exchanges and market partitioning. The Commission’s decision follows a wave of national European precedents initiated in 2019 that condemned employment-related practices. While the debate around the qualification of no-poach agreements is relatively new at the European level and is currently being clarified by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), the United States has been exploring this issue for more than a decade.
Released on Oct 8, 2025
Non-biological mothers gained equal parental rights through constitutional court judgment in Italy
A recent judgment of the Italian Constitutional Court stated that the so-called ‘intentional mother’ (in a female same-sex couple, the non-biological mother) is entitled to the mandatory leave of absence from work which is normally intended for fathers in opposite-sex couples. This article explains the rationale for the ruling and how this decision may open the way towards the recognition of diverse family structures and contribute to the principle of equal treatment, thus indicating a meaningful signal of change that could, over time, contribute to potentially strengthening the legal status of LGBTQ+ families in Italy. It also considers the broader implications that this first step may have for Italian law, European human rights standards and international debates on inclusive family rights, including at the workplace.
Released on Oct 6, 2025
IBA Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee e-Bulletin 1/2025
Text from the Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee’s first e-Bulleting of 2025: We are delighted to share Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee -Bulletin after a brief hiatus. It is lovely to reconnect with our members and share the latest legal developments and thought leadership from around the world. This edition brings together timely and diverse contributions that reflect the evolving nature of legal services, innovation and regulatory landscapes.
Released on Sep 30, 2025
ESG Conference 2025: a conversation with Paola Fonseca
An insightful discussion with Paola Fonseca, Senior Corporate Counsel at Sphera, a leading provider of integrated sustainability and operational risk management software, data and consulting services.
Released on Sep 26, 2025
Getting to Know the ERF – Zoya Todorova
Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Mental Wellbeing Group Chair, Zoya Todorova.
Released on Sep 25, 2025
Artificial intelligence in Indian workplaces: diversity law issues from hiring to exits
AI has transitioned from experimental expensive novelty to a core affordable operational tool in organisations from various industries including those in India. This article considers the role AI plays in hiring and recruitment, employee performance management and redundancy, among other areas, and the challenges AI presents in these roles.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Workplace diversity and inclusion: India’s evolving approach towards embracing DEI
This article examines India’s evolving DEI compliance landscape, highlights compliance and cultural gaps across sectors and explores operational challenges and strategies employers must navigate to embed inclusion in both form and function.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Non-discrimination rules in job advertising in Ukraine
This article describes the recent changes in employment laws in Ukraine regarding non-discrimination rules during recruitment, in particular in the field of job advertising. It also examines the relevant legislation’s alignment with Ukraine’s EU integration objectives and existing national legal frameworks.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Legislative overview of China’s protection for equal employment of special groups
During recruitment and employment, employers may differentiate against job seekers based on factors such as gender, age or health status, potentially constituting employment discrimination. To protect equal employment and participation in corporate democratic management of relatively vulnerable groups, new regulations are continuously being issued to adapt to socio-economic development and changes.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
From compliance to culture: navigating the new sexual harassment laws in Great Britain
Tackling workplace harassment, particularly sexual harassment, remains a significant priority for the UK government, driven by persistent cultural issues and high-profile cases across a variety of sectors. Legislative developments in the last year coupled with upcoming provisions contained in the Employment Rights Bill (ERB) (a very significant new piece of legislation containing a wide range of new employment rights which is currently working its way through the UK Parliament), mean employers are having to reassess and adapt their approach to managing harassment in the workplace.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Digital nomads: a Canadian perspective
Living and working on a nomadic basis is not just limited to working in different countries – an understated aspect of the digital nomadism phenomenon is that many people choose to be digital nomads within the borders of a country. In Canada, domestic digital nomads may travel vast distances – the distance from Toronto to Vancouver is greater than the distance from Paris to Moscow – and cause numerous legal challenges.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Post-conference report: ‘Mergers and acquisitions in India – a key engine to the $30tn goal’
Against the backdrop of India’s projected economic trajectory, the IBA Corporate and M&A Law Committee convened its biennial India conference on the theme ‘Mergers and acquisitions in India: a key engine to the USD 30 trillion goal’. It was held in early April 2025, in Mumbai.
Released on Sep 24, 2025
Anti-trafficking legislation around the world - recent US and global trends
The global focus on human trafficking has led to a recent proliferation of laws, with substantive US trends mirroring those seen in countries around the world. For policymakers considering potential legislative enhancements, the body of laws provides ample choice for potential inspiration.
Released on Sep 21, 2025
Getting to Know the ERF – Safak Herdem
Get to know the European Regional Forum’s Council Member for Turkey, Safak Herdem
Released on Sep 9, 2025
ESG Conference 2025: a conversation with Steven Richman
An insightful discussion with Steven Richman on AI, ESG and human rights
Released on Sep 5, 2025
Legal compliance concerning export controls and economic
Considering various factors like geopolitical dynamics, economic imperatives and technological advancements, it is foreseeable that the trend of intensifying export controls and economic sanctions will persist in the near future. In response, entities must take proactive steps to navigate the adverse effects of these complex policies effectively. This includes establishing robust internal compliance systems, implementing compliance training programmes and enhancing contract drafting skills. By doing so, entities can mitigate the risks, ensure regulatory compliance and adapt to the evolving landscape of international trade regulations.
Released on Sep 4, 2025
Maritime and Transport Law Committee – From the Editors – August 2025
A note from the Editors of the IBA Maritime and Transport Law Committee, Müge Anber-Kontakis and Maria Belen Espineira
Released on Sep 1, 2025