The IBA has completed its ground breaking global survey of the legal profession and issued its principles for addressing the situation.

The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has had tremendous impacts on energy and food supply. Impacts of sanctions and Russian attempts to influence Europe by reducing hydrocarbon supply has resulted in an energy crisis which has dominated the recent public discussion. Less attention has been given to the impacts of the invasion on minerals supply from Ukraine, Russia and the minerals supply globally. The session will focus on how the war impacts the future possibilities of developing mineral resources in Ukraine, Russia’s ability to trade and develop mineral resources and global supply more widely.

HumanRightsRuleOfLawThe international ecosystem of courts and legal protections that preserves and promotes rule of law, human rights and democracy seem to be in peril. Governments increasingly are straying from their international commitments with regard to refugee protection, freedom of expression, the right to protest and many other areas of law fundamental to peace and justice.

Two years of pandemic and quarantine have shaken our world, and law firms are no exception. Discussions of whether we will have a “new normal” or return to March 2020 have shifted into questions of what the new normal will look like, and how it will impact the legal sector. A panel made up of managing partners from across the world will discuss how these changes manifest in their law firms, how they are dealing with them, and how they will develop in the future. All in all, what have we learnt from the Pandemic and the worldwide crisis?

 
Also in the legal world, in our own working environment, we all have a responsibility to create a culture where bullying, harassment and discrimination doesn’t happen, and challenging it or reporting it if we see it happening.

The Two-Pillar Solution acknowledges the importance of the STTR in achieving a consensus on Pillar II for developing countries, but so far has only identified interest, royalties and a “defined set of other payments” as being subject to the rule, has set the minimum rate for the STTR at a range from 7.5% to 9% and has relegated implementation to a bilateral negotiation upon request. This panel will explore the practical tension inherent in the Pillar II proposals in addressing the concerns of developed and developing countries with a particular emphasis on the challenges faced by developing countries in protecting their tax base and competing for revenue.

SustainabilityFocusWhere there is an apparent failure of governments, corporates and other "entrusted" institutions to act in the best interests of the community as a whole, the law and in particular class actions emerge to seek to hold those responsible to account. This session will take the temperature of the current state of global climate change class actions and try and look over the horizon at the next wave of climate change litigation.

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS sessions marked as such are part of the IBA Annual Conference 2022 sustainability focus on Tuesday and Thursday, grouping sessions discussing different aspects of ESG and sustainability across the different legal fields.

SustainabilityFocusThe discussion will cover the different approaches to the issue of sustainability in aviation (e.g. flight ban for domestic flights and governments’ incentives for purchase and use of SAF), investigating their impact on the reduction of CO2 in the sector and evaluating the strategies to which the aviation industry reacts with more participation. The topic will also address the relevance of new technologies to promote sustainability, including the most virtuous applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in recent years and the future of vertiplanes.

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS sessions marked as such are part of the IBA Annual Conference 2022 sustainability focus on Tuesday and Thursday, grouping sessions discussing different aspects of ESG and sustainability across the different legal fields.

The way legal services are provided continues to be reshaped by the evolution and innovation in the digital and technological spheres.

These pressures were exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, and may be exacerbated further by geo-political unrest and the consequential impacts on airlines, lessors, international routes and fuel prices. The panel will discuss how certain airlines have transformed and restructured their businesses in various jurisdictions (both in and out of court), as well the tools available for future restructurings.

With billions in dry power and the global pandemic (hopefully) receding, shareholder activist funds are back at full speed, building stakes in companies, calling for structural, operational, personnel and capital structure changes, running proxy contests, pushing for (or resisting) M&A transactions or holding up squeeze-outs. Their relationships with long-term institutional investors, strategic and private equity acquirers and other market participants are rapidly evolving.

MNCs are facing challenges in the face of legislative changes and other post pandemic challenges: including, supply chain breakdowns, rising cost of capital, and diversification of manufacturing. This panel will discuss how companies can handle US tax reform, tax regulations in multiple jurisdictions and regions, state aid, and source country revenue thirst. Can the capital exporter rely on investment treaties and other non-tax treaties for protection?

We will be guided by CBRE and visit Southeast Financial Center at 200 South Biscayne Boulevard and 1221 Brickell Ave, Brickell, Miami.

Spaces are limited and are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Registration is only possible onsite, and registered conference delegates can sign up at the Speakers' Desk by the IBA Registration Desk.

Tougher merger control is a striking trend across the globe, with more deals than ever facing a struggle to achieve clearance on the kind of terms they used to expect, and divergent outcomes across major jurisdictions becoming more common. Enforcers are increasingly suspicious of remedies in the form of behavioural commitments and fragmented divestitures. At the same time pressure is mounting on them to better protect consumers, and also to promote additional societal interests such as furthering sustainability goals. And legislatures are actively granting them new and stronger intervention powers.

Big data algorithmic analytics, especially when combined with ‘open banking’ and fast identity-checking technology such as biometrics means that financial providers are better placed to tailor products for consumers and speed up the delivery of services.

During the meeting, IBAHRI Director Baroness Kennedy and IBAHRI Co-Chairs Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc and Mark Stephens CBE will discuss IBAHRI’s programmes and topical issues regarding human rights today. The discussion will be open to questions and suggestions related to the past, present and future work of the IBAHRI.

Every day, new accusations of enabling criminal and unethical activity emerge, and calls to end self-regulation grow ever louder.