Conference programme

A selection of topics of universal interest to maritime lawyers.

This introductory session is designed for young, emerging and early-career lawyers who are interested in becoming more actively involved in the International Bar Association. The session will explain how lawyers at the beginning of their careers can engage with the IBA, build meaningful international networks, contribute to committees and projects, and access professional development opportunities.

The session will also introduce the role of the Young Lawyers’ Committee as a gateway to the wider IBA community. Speakers will share practical guidance on how to begin an IBA journey, including how to join committees, participate in conferences, contribute to publications and initiatives, and build long-term professional relationships within the association.

The session will also include the announcement of the proposed change of name from the Young Lawyers’ Committee to the Next Generation Lawyers’ Committee, reflecting broader and more inclusive representation of the lawyers the committee serves. This change would better capture the committee’s focus on future leaders of the profession, including young lawyers, emerging practitioners and lawyers in the early or developing stages of their international legal careers.

This panel will discuss the ongoing relevance of coal in countries facing energy crises due to droughts, such as Zambia, and the continued importance of coal in nations like China amid fluctuating gas prices.

In an increasingly complex and globalised Intellectual Property (IP) landscape, traditional litigation may not always be the most effective path to resolving disputes. Mediation offers a dynamic, collaborative alternative that not only resolves conflicts but can also foster innovation and preserve valuable business relationships. This panel will explore how mediation, particularly in the context of intellectual property, can unlock creative solutions that litigation often overlooks. From licensing arrangements and joint ventures to novel settlement structures, mediation allows parties to move beyond zero-sum outcomes and toward mutually beneficial resolutions. Panellists will examine the unique characteristics of IP such as its intangible nature, cross-border implications, and rapid evolution, and how these influence the mediation process.

The session will also highlight international mediation frameworks, including the EUIPO’s mediation services and the Singapore Convention on Mediation, offering practical insights into how these mechanisms are shaping the future of global IP dispute resolution.

Key discussion points will include: the required elements to have a successful mediation from the mediator’s perspective and the parties’ perspective, the impact of the nature of intellectual property on these requirements, the interest of early neutral evaluations, examples of creative results from mediations in IP matters, international mediation forums, such as EUIPO’s new initiative, and the Singapore Mediation Agreement.
 

The IBA Rules of Ethics for International Arbitrators (1987) saw limited adoption compared to other IBA instruments. Meanwhile, arbitration laws and practices have evolved, once again bringing the need for updated and harmonised ethical guidance to the forefront. This panel will explore the need for a unified global standard, and how far those reforms should go.

How do law firms fund innovation when traditional partnership models weren't built for it? As legal services evolve in North America and England, this question has become urgent. Arizona, Utah and Puerto Rico have broken new ground by allowing limited non-lawyer ownership, but private equity hasn't waited for regulatory permission everywhere. Instead, investors are finding creative workarounds through management service organisations (MSOs). This session will examine how prevalent these structures have become, where regulators are drawing the line, and what it all means for US firms navigating a patchwork of global regulations. 

The last few years have seen a recalibration of shareholder primacy and stakeholder priorities. Despite these headwinds, some companies have demonstrated resilience and remained committed to a sustainable corporate purpose, including prioritising stakeholder engagement where it contributes to preventing harm to people and planet as well to the company. This panel will examine the current debate in various jurisdictions, including how some companies have operationalised their corporate purpose through capital allocation and long-horizon strategic decisions. It will also explore where new laws are requiring companies to manage risks to people and planet as well as the legal ways that these businesses have reinforced their mission even where legislation is not requiring them to. This includes through the use of dual-class or trust-based control, shareholder agreements or stakeholder charters, certification frameworks such as B Corp and embedding into legal contracts commitments to core international business and human rights standards as part of their risk management strategies. The panel will consider how alliance-building, including through co-investment vehicles, mission-driven joint ventures or procurement ecosystems, could allow businesses to amplify their impact and to meet their commitments to international standards.

Many activities on Earth rely, or even deeply depend, on space. Reliance of key economic sectors on space poses new risks and opportunities to both public and private actors. Are regulations and policies playing catch-up, stifling innovation or enabling growth in the new space economy? How is the influence of space developing ESG on Earth and ESG itself in space? Dependence on space is increasingly being reflected in the areas of safety, defence and security in the face of new challenges.  Finally, AI-driven mechanisms struggle to be, at the same time, risks and opportunities within the space sector.

In today’s fast-evolving aviation landscape, litigation plays a critical role in navigating operational, regulatory, and commercial risks. Geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and fragmented legal frameworks are reshaping the way disputes arise and are resolved. Ongoing crises, particularly in regions such as the Persian Gulf, are disrupting key airspace corridors and forcing airlines to reroute operations, with significant cost and liability implications. These developments are generating new disputes around contractual performance, insurance coverage, and risk allocation across the aviation sector.

This panel will explore:
• comparative overview of recent landmark aviation cases across different jurisdictions;
• analysis of how courts address complex, multi-party disputes involving airlines, lessors, manufacturers, and insurers;
• practical insights into the real-world implications for the aviation industry; and 
• strategies to effectively manage litigation risks and legal challenges in a rapidly evolving environment.

This panel will examine how Pillar Two considerations are reflected in purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, credit facilities and other transaction documents.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.

Join us for our open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the committee.