Co-Chair
Robert Bernstein

Co-Chair
Federica
D'Alessandra

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 Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI). Its purpose is to assist members in responding to the IBA Council's call to support the Rule of Law in their communities. The Forum's activities are led by Co-Chairs, with Vice-Chairs assisting them. The Forum does not have formal membership but maintains a circulation list. Liaison members from other IBA committees help integrate Rule of Law into their work.

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Current Projects

Download to view Rule of Law Forum: Strategy 2023/24

Download to view Endangered Lawyers Data Coalition (EDLC)

Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences

IBA Rule of Law Forum on enforcement or erasure: non-refoulement

30 Jul 2026 0100 - 0200 BST

Webinar

Publications
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The future of multilateralism: international law and institutions in an era of impunity and great power competition

As part of its annual Rule of Law Symposium, held during the IBA 2026 Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada, the Rule of Law Forum hosted a panel discussion on ‘The future of multilateralism: international law and institutions in an era of impunity and great power competition’. The subject was selected in light of the rapid emergence of a multipolar world and surging geopolitical conflict, which are challenging established international laws, norms and principles; entrenching global impunity; and raising existential questions about the future of international law and multilateral institutions in world affairs.

Released on Jul 13, 2026

Civility as a rule of law imperative

At the Rule of Law Symposium, as part of the IBA Annual Conference in Toronto, the session ‘Civility and the legal profession’ framed professional civility as a rule-of-law issue. Held on Friday 7 November 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, it was the second of three symposium sessions, alongside panels on multilateralism and sanctions. The IBA described the symposium as a ‘call to action’ for its membership, underscoring lawyers’ responsibility to sustain justice, accountability and public trust.

Released on Jul 13, 2026

IBA Rule of Law Forum hears from expert panel on sanctions: economic warfare and the law at the IBA Annual Conference in Toronto

At the 2025 IBA Annual Conference Rule of Law Day in Toronto run by the Rule of Law Forum, a full house heard from the panellists who discussed the use of sanctions and potential rule of law consequences. The panel was chaired by Michael Polak, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Forum.

Released on Jul 13, 2026

Developing a judicial selection toolkit: update on a collaborative project to strengthen the rule of law

Last autumn, readers of the Rule of Law Forum newsletter were introduced to the judicial selection toolkit project. It is a collaboration between the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, an independent research centre based in London, and several IBA bodies: the Rule of Law Forum, the Judges’ Forum, the Bar Issues Commission, the Forum for Barristers and Advocates, the Litigation Committee, the Legal Policy & Research Unit and the Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). This collaboration, involving an unusually large number of stakeholders, demonstrates that judicial selection issues are a matter of serious concern across many parts of the IBA.

Released on Jul 13, 2026

Events

Paris Annual Conference

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Rule of law forum speakers in Paris, November 2023

Webinars and videos

Webinars

Videos

Subcommittees and other groups

The Rule of Law Forum also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.

  • Rule of Law Forum Advisory Board

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