Conference programme

For over a decade, Mexican lawyers, human rights defenders, and NGOs have urged the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into the situation in Mexico, pointing to evidence of grave human rights violations, including in the context of violent organised crime and mass disappearances. To date, the OTP has declined to do so, citing a variety of factors which, at least in the opinion of the former ICC Prosecutor, meant that human rights violations did not fall within the jurisdiction of the court. Where do those efforts stand now, and how are local actors pursuing accountability for grave human rights violations? This session spotlights recent initiatives by local actors, examines whether the ICC can and should play a role in pursuing accountability in Mexico, and considers the suitability of transnational criminal justice in responding to local challenges.

The rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in all environments has had a dramatic impact in the production of content and works, on the media and entertainment industry, and on the information sector. This session will assess the current and foreseeable impact of GAI, analyse legislative and regulatory efforts to govern the use of foundation models and examine relevant litigation against GAI platforms.

Following our session in Paris 2023, this session will consider the legal roadmap to net zero with a particular focus on issues related to the delivery of key infrastructure. As we move along the journey towards the delivery of net zero milestones, this session will review key themes encountered along the way: the role of legal frameworks, national and trans-national; the issue of environmental justice and achieving a just transition for emerging economies; friction in areas such as regulation, permitting and grid capacity; and the impact of conflicts and imposition of sanctions. This session will look forward and consider how to transform the delivery process, drawing on lessons learned to date and considering key milestones achieved, roadblocks encountered and how to create a clear path to achieve the net zero goals.

This session will talk about latest data and reports on bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession since our groundbreaking ‘Us Too?’ report was published in in 2019. Why is it still the number one basis for crisis management in law firms? How does the culture link to gender barriers and discrimination? This session will also consider the ‘50:50 by 2030’ project, in addition to plans for 2025 on bullying and sexual harassment.

Join us for our exciting introductory session. Start your week with young and young at heart lawyers. It’s the perfect way to kick off your week with a burst of enthusiasm and connection. Meet fellow young lawyers, engage in meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights on how to network during the week. Let’s set the tone for a productive and successful week ahead!

An open meeting of the Law Firm Management Committee where all committee members are invited to learn more about the extensive activities of the committee.

This session will examine the legal and regulatory risks governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical devices and impacts of coming AI-related legislation on the development and marketing of medical devices.

We will discuss how laws are adapting to AI innovations and identify trends in how these products are regulated across the globe.
 

The 11 members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPPa) have combined economies representing 13.4 per cent of global gross domestic product, at approximately US$13.5tn making the CPTPP one of the world’s largest free-trade areas by gross domestic product (GDP). Mexico and seven Asia Pacific countries make up eight of the 11 signatories. This session will critically examine whether the CPTPP has delivered on its promise, and what the Asia Pacific region, in particular, can look forward to in the next few years.

Do design build bid (DBB) type contracts still deliver the results promised?

This session will explore the findings of the Future of Legal Services Commission’s second annual Heatmap Survey, the 2024 report on the Challenges of Attracting Talent into the Legal Profession and the Commission’s other work.
 

A broad discussion on funding the energy transition, including the role for fossil fuel revenues in financing energy transition projects. How are the first energy transition projects being funded and how can those pioneer projects show the path for providing the necessary up-scaling of financing (both debt and equity) to energy transition projects? And how this discussion is different throughout the regions?

To uphold the rule of law, justice must be available to all. In countries with no affordable access to justice, many sections of society are denied any real form of justice, which particularly impacts women, children and the poor. What can society do to ensure justice is available to all and what is the role of lawyers in this issue?