Conference programme

This session will focus on the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions in the mining sector, highlighting the rise of new players and innovative financing models. Panellists will discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities, offering insights into the future of mining investments.

This session is dedicated to explore the diverse global landscape of legal opportunities available to young lawyers. Learn how international markets are evolving and discover how to leverage these developments for career growth. This discussion will provide insights into cross-border practice areas, emerging jurisdictions, and the unique challenges and advantages of practicing law in different regions.

As the climate crisis worsens, natural disasters are no longer unforeseeable acts of god, but consequences of the states’ failure to effectively combat climate change. The objective of the panel is to explore the legal liability framework for assuring both the victims and the ecosystem a proper reparation.

The rule of law depends upon an independent judiciary. Appointment to judicial office carries with it the responsibility to be, and be seen to be, independent. Why? What does that mean in practice? From the tests for actual and ostensible bias- determining when judges should be disqualified or recused from sitting- through to social and political activities, there are many things that judges must navigate. Hear from experienced judges and advocates discuss the applicable tests, traps and guides associated with being a judge, especially when judges must ‘stand down’ and ‘stay out of it’. 

This panel will consider the elements and dynamics essential to ensuring lasting peace in the immediate aftermath of devastating conflicts. 

With vibrant audience participation, our panel of distinguished global experts shall embark on a comprehensive appraisal of microaggressions (commonplace indirect, subtle discriminatory practices) against marginalised minorities, in various spheres, universally.

A discussion with pioneers in the field of third party funding as to what the needs and prospects may be for mediation going forward.

This panel will explore the benefits and limitations of the varied family governance and succession vehicles used in jurisdictions around the world. Experts from the most prominent tax and planning jurisdictions will discuss how such structures are used to accomplish governance and succession goals in light of the ever evolving tax, disclosure and compliance rules.

The panel will discuss copyright protections of TV formats and other online content provided through an increasing number of delivery platforms. The panel will also explore jurisdictional differences in copyright protection of the various components of the content. The panel will also address the thorny issue of when you cross the line between fact and fiction and what protection can be put in place to minimise the risk to the creator?

Join us at the awards breakfast where the IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights, the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, and the IBA Pro Bono Award will be presented.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming markets, and regulators are trying to address potential market consolidation and harm before it happens. In this dynamic environment, businesses from all sides of the AI universe – AI model owners, AI app developers, AI business users, data owners, cloud infrastructure owners –  need to understand the heightened scrutiny over investments in this sector and act in compliance with increasingly intrusive regulation and antitrust law. 

This panel will discuss the issues that arise in AI creation and business use and regulators’ responses to AI including in the context of the new ex ante regimes in the European Union and United Kingdom, the approach of the United States and other jurisdictions around the world and discuss how divergences between jurisdictions might affect cross-border businesses.

In this session we will tackle the issue of toxic behaviour in the workplace, and how this can be addressed in law firms.

As regulatory requirements and ethical expectations continue to rise, the discussion will focus on how far companies should go to ensure compliance and best practice, including corruption, anti-money laundering (AML), labour, environmental, and human rights standards. We will discuss best practices in balancing cost-efficiency and regulatory obligations while maintaining responsible and sustainable supply chains in an increasingly regulated world.

This session will discuss creditors cooperation agreements, and the roles that creditors committees play in these agreements.

This session will be about M&A strategies for acquiring distressed businesses in challenging situations.

An exploration of energy policies and environmental protection interests, including approaches to renewable energy, across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

This panel will explore the rapidly evolving field of greenwashing litigation, focusing on the legal strategies used to combat deceptive environmental claims and the regulatory landscape shaping these efforts. With an emphasis on cross-border challenges, we will examine jurisdictional conflicts, varying legal standards, and enforcement mechanisms that complicate international greenwashing cases. Through case studies and expert insights, the panel will provide a comprehensive understanding of how legal professionals can navigate these complexities to ensure corporate transparency and accountability on a global scale.

In this session we will review issues that are hot within the industry at the time.

For too long, perpetrators have escaped incarceration and accountability by hiding away for the authority seeking to punish them. Universal jurisdiction allows states or international organisations to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person, regardless of where the alleged crime was committed and irrespective of the accused's nationality. This key tool must be used to ensure the prevention, criminalisation, and punishment of serious violations of international humanitarian law. The fight against impunity has no borders.

During this session, experts will discuss the use of universal jurisdiction globally- mapping the plethora of cases from the last five years. Experts will discuss how the cases came into being, including by way of civil society engagement. Experts will consider how the approaches in response to the war in Ukraine can help to make the principle of universal jurisdiction more universally used.