Conference programme

Pre-immigration planning related to specific types of assets.

Global clients want seamless, cross-border legal services, but can independent law firms deliver them through international alliances, or do ethics stand in the way? This session tackles the regulatory and competitive challenges facing law firm networks:  1) How do different jurisdictions' ethics rules enable or restrict alliance structures? 2) Can independent firms truly operate as one-stop shops while managing conflicts, confidentiality and coordination across borders? 3) Can these alliances realistically compete with the brand power and integration of global law firms? Join us for a practical exploration of whether the alliance model can level the playing field in today's competitive legal marketplace.

Today’s legal profession often operates on an “always on” basis—constant access to emails, phones and messaging means many lawyers remain reachable well beyond office hours, including weekends and holidays, making it increasingly difficult to truly disconnect. Can lawyers still find fulfilment while meeting relentless client expectations and billable targets? This session will explore the tension between professional satisfaction, wellbeing, and financial performance in modern legal practice.

The intensification of rape as a weapon of war and the increasing use of drones for facial and gait identification demonstrate that the Geneva Conventions are not keeping up with modern warfare. This session will look at the laws of war and how they can be updated to respond to advances in warfare.

Around the world, the demand for legal assistance far outpaces the resources available to those most in need. Yet, when corporate legal departments and law firms work together across borders, they create powerful networks that amplify pro bono impact, share expertise, and drive systemic change. This session explores how in-house counsel and external firm lawyers are collaborating to deliver innovative, sustainable models for access to justice—whether through joint legal clinics, cross-jurisdictional research initiatives, clearinghouse models, or digital platforms connecting volunteer lawyers with underserved communities. Participants will hear from leaders who have built successful global partnerships, examine strategies for overcoming logistical and regulatory barriers (including limits, conflicts and other hurdles), and learn practical ways to align pro bono goals and initiatives with corporate values and community engagement goals. Panelists will also share examples of projects well-suited for cross-border support, along with “recipes for success” to deliver sustainable impact. The conversation moves beyond traditional notions of volunteerism to focus on shared responsibility, leadership, and the transformative potential of cross-sector collaboration in the legal profession.

Discussion on the legal challenges and strategies that global companies face when navigating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in a world with varying regulations and practices (eg, EU v US executive orders). We will explore how to manage DEI compliance in both progressive and restrictive environments and lessons learned so far, highlighting the approaches needed to balance and deal with conflicting regulations and practices. The 2025 DEI Workplace Report in Diversity.com shows DEI programmes have taken many forms across the workplace over the past two decades. While some organisations continue to lead in this space, others have recently scaled back due to political, legal or reputational concerns.

This session will focus on the various aspects of the IBA guidance that the BIC Policy Committee and BIC have pursued.

Presented by the China Working Group of the IBA Asia Pacific Forum.

The strong economic tie between China and Europe is one of the prominent and solid pillars of today’s world but it has been tested in the turbulence of the ongoing trade war around the world due to the policy changes by Trump’s government. While decreasing investment in the US, China’s increasing investment in Europe is attracting more and more attention while Europe keeps its pace of investments in China. A global watch is needed more than ever on China’s economic relationship with Europe  and its development, changes, challenges and trends. This session will focus on China’s investments in Europe, trying to provide a vivid vision to the audience which goes beyond the specific legal issues in any specialised legal areas. The panel will discuss those hot topics and also recent case studies from different perspectives including the changes in investment structure, compliance requirements, technology transfer, labour issues, social responsibilities and more.  

This session will explore how law practice in the Arab world both aligns with and diverges from international norms. It will examine regional legal traditions, regulatory environments, and professional practices, highlighting the similarities, differences, and cross-border considerations that shape the work of lawyers locally and globally.

International arbitration offers dynamic career paths – but breaking into the field remains a challenge for young practitioners. This discussion will shed light on the evolving landscape of arbitration, mentorship opportunities, and how emerging lawyers can build credibility, networks and expertise early in their careers. Hear from experienced arbitrators and rising stars as they share lessons learned and practical advice for charting your path in this competitive field.

This panel will discuss the main challenges faced by shipping companies and freight forwarders, particularly in relation to cross-border intragroup transactions of international freight services. Topics include the qualification of global affiliates as agent or principal for tax purposes in each jurisdiction, intragroup payments and source taxation, and potential limitations under tax treaties.

Since the litigation involving BHP and the Ok Tedi mine in Papua New Guinea in the late 1990s, there has been an increasing trend towards recognising litigation funding as well as class actions as effective modes of supporting litigation designed to redress the wrongs associated with environmental harm.   Some of these strategies have been mooted in connection with concerns about climate change. Judges and advocates will discuss the trend towards recognising litigation funding across various jurisdictions, as well as the different ways in which class actions have been recognised and supported.  How these have been utilised in connection with various types of claims involving litigation over the environment will be addressed and explained, as will the scope for taking gradual advantage of these litigation strategies.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are standard tools for protecting confidentiality in commercial transactions, employment relationships and dispute settlements. However, when NDAs intersect with allegations of criminal conduct, ethical breaches, harassment, misconduct by professionals, or matters of clear public interest, their legitimacy and enforceability become far more complex.

This session will examine the legal, ethical and policy boundaries of NDAs across jurisdictions. Can an NDA lawfully prevent disclosure of potential criminal activity? When does confidentiality improperly hinder the reporting of wrongdoing or obstruction of justice? What duties do lawyers have when negotiating NDAs involving allegations of misconduct? How do courts and regulators view the use – or misuse – of confidentiality clauses in such contexts?

The offshore wind industry is facing rising costs from inflation and interest rates, supply chain bottlenecks, regulatory and political policy uncertainty, lengthy permitting processes, and grid connection delays. We will explore how regulatory policies, project structures and contracting models affect the ability to finance and operate projects profitably and contribute towards the energy transition.

Corporations and directors are increasingly facing criminal liability for breaches of health and psychosocial duties owed to workers. This panel will outline recent developments and what directors and companies should be doing to ensure a compliance to manage liability and establish a culture of safety and well-being in their organisation.

This panel looks at the intersection between music, art, protest and the law. Where artistic expression through performance, lyrics and art becomes politically contentious and its use in criminal prosecutions, legal proceedings and investigations. It will also explore how artists navigate the world of protest and the protection of freedom of expression.