Conference programme

At this session the Future of Legal Services Commission will present its third annual 'Heatmap' reflecting the issues that are top of mind for practitioners, educators and regulators, and will report on how we are collectively dealing with the challenges and opportunities involved in attracting and retaining new talent in the profession.

This session will explore the complex interplay between national security and foreign investment in the mining sector. This panel will also discuss how political dynamics shape regulatory frameworks and impact foreign investment strategies, highlighting case studies and best practices from various jurisdictions.

Have you ever dreamed of working outside your home / bar jurisdiction? This session will be filled with real-life stories and address legal, ethical, and other professional and practical issues to consider and how the panelists have successfully achieved working in other jurisdictions.

Join this session to learn about a planned update to the International Bar Association pro bono declaration and an accompanying guide to support pro bono practice. This will include a focus on defining pro bono and the avoidance of marketing or business promotion being classified as pro bono work. 

Cyber and corruption supply chain risk management from a legal perspective involves identifying what cyber and corruption risks exist within a supply chain and managing those risks. A supply chain refers to the people, processes, and technologies associated with delivering goods or services from one group to another. How lawyers can advise to secure supply chains and edge against the risk of cyber or corruption events generating disruption is at the core of this session. The panelists will address best practices regarding this cutting edge topic.

Charting a consistent course through the varying regulatory regimes on matters such as privacy, employment, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is difficult in a global environment. Companies thrive on the right combination of uniformity and local adaptation. When is it best to adopt a single policy aligned with a leading source of regulation, such as the EU, and when is it better to adopt policies more tailored to the local requirements?

This session will explore which law firm strategies ignore profit and pricing.

There is an increased focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace for neurodivergent employees, and studies have showed that employers succeeding in attracting and retaining neurodivergent employees benefit from this in a number of different aspects. A recent study from the UK does, however, indicate that the legal sector is lagging behind, and that more than three-quarters of neurodivergent lawyers have not disclosed their condition in the workplace to avoid discrimination. In this session, we will analyse and discuss the reason for this and what it will take to change the reluctance to be open about the challenges that neurodivergent lawyers may face as well as the potential reasonable adjustments that will improve inclusion of neurodivergent lawyers.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the legal profession, young lawyers must adapt to stay relevant. This session will address how to harness the power of AI while reinforcing the importance of traditional legal skills and ethical considerations. Explore how ongoing education, the development of soft skills, and a strong ethical foundation can help young lawyers navigate the complexities of the modern legal landscape and thrive amidst technological advancements. Maybe you’ll find that traditional values held by lawyers are not old-fashioned.

Climate change and the resulting water stress which affects many countries require technological solutions that allow the incorporation of new water sources or better use of those currently available. The objective of the panel is to analyse these new technologies, as well as to review the responses that different systems of water law can offer to provide legal certainty to entrepreneurs, reconciling the interests of current owners, such as environmental protection and the future sustainability of water sources.

The 6th Committee of The United Nations in late 2024 released the draft treaty relating to crimes against humanity. The proposed draft fills a gap in international law where certain crimes have not been covered because they were limited to certain contexts, such a crime committed during war. As a stand-alone treaty, it would aggregate in one place defined crimes, including murder, torture, slavery, rape and sexual violence, targeted persecutions of particular groups, enforced disappearance and apartheid. In the case of apartheid, there is a movement to broaden the definition beyond race to include gender. The convention would obligate national governments to ensure investigation and prosecution, including even of their own acts. The negotiation process will provide an opportunity for national bars around the world to engage with their governments to advocate positions on the details, scope and remedies. The International Bar Association's Bar Issues Commission has made this a priority for the next two years. The program will be of interest to all attorneys and bars, as the convention addresses the most fundamental of human rights issues that all bars are concerned with.

This panel will look at how the project of international justice is and should be taken up by national jurisdictions, affecting the ICC's foundational principle of complementarity through the exercise of universal and domestic jurisdiction.

The EU rules on jurisdiction (notably, Brussels 1a Regulation) provided for jurisdiction of EU courts over non-EU domiciled defendant in a number of cases. An increase of these cases might be expected in future revisions of the Brussels 1a regulation. We will discuss the intricacies of these regulations in this session.

Family offices continue to evolve and have a prominent role in global investment, wealth preservation, and philanthropy. This panel will explore the latest trends impacting family offices, including the rise of direct investments, the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and impact investing, the shift toward professionalisation and institutionalisation, as well as governance and succession structures employed for these purposes, offering practical strategies for advisors better to serve their family office clients in an ever-changing landscape.  

When considering the recent US election and how it will impact trade in the region, in this session we will discuss the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Properties and facilities with energy-efficient features often command higher market values and attract tenants and buyers who prioritise sustainability and lower energy costs, but also require significant additional expenditures. Energy efficiency can attract investment by demonstrating clear economic benefits and broader financial and strategic goals. Energy-efficient technologies and practices offer cost savings through reduced utility bills and lower operational expenses. These financial gains present a compelling return on investment that can appeal to investors, and can be combined with government incentives and subsidies, which can further enhance their attractiveness. This session will explore how legislations and legal practitioners can better allow energy efficiency investments to attract investors.

As regulators in various jurisdictions continue to grapple with how and whether alternative business structures for delivery of legal services should be permitted, one solution in three Canadian provinces and one US state (so far) has been a form of pilot project, or "Sandbox". A Sandbox provides a limited exemption from the ordinary prohibitions on non-lawyer ownership and delivery but is it a solution? Is private equity investment an option, even with guardrails? Do ethical rules serve to protect the guild or consumers? This panel will explore the business and regulatory aspects of North American and other experiments and how they might impact integration and engagement of firms internationally. 

A roundtable discussion on current issues in the field of M&A.

This session will be a review and discussion of key terms in joint venture agreements between investors and developers.

Mediation is a well established form of dispute resolution. Many judges were involved with it in practice. Many judges return to it after completing public service. Is it a good idea? What are the befits of judicial support for mediation? Is it an appropriate adjunct for formal court processes? What are the appropriate mediation processes around the world? Do these vary between Africa, Asia, America and Europe? Should retired judges act as mediators?