Conference programme

In view of the current challenges by states of dispute resolution mechanisms in investment treaties, what are the likely changes to expect around the world? This session will have a particular focus on Mexico, Latin America and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Traditionally, international trade has been seen as a way in which countries and individuals seek to exchange goods and increase wealth. However, recent global trends, including the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement, have placed basic human rights at the forefront of all human interactions including within international trade.

It is with this view in mind that the panel will deal with three issues (there are more) that always should be tended to when conducting international sale of goods transactions: labour rights; gender rights; and environmental rights.

In this session, seasoned mergers and acquisitions (M&A) experts will share lessons learned regarding financial mechanisms that tend to work well in M&A deals and pitfalls that may be encountered along the way. 

The session will cover issues including:
•    Contractual options for managing changes in the financial condition of a target prior to closing;
•    pros and cons of these options from buy- and sell-side perspectives;
•    current trends in adjustment mechanisms; and
•    sample cases illustrating the practical application of different mechanisms.

The session will discuss which skills and experiences (work-life balance, office politics, business development, time management, networking, compensation, or others) have been the most important for the panelists in creating and continuing their legal career and what would they do the same or differently? What would senior lawyers have done the same or differently?  What could junior lawyers do the same or differently?

How does artificial intelligence (AI) impact on tax practice. Join the IBA Taxes Committee for an in-depth discussion on all things tax and AI.

The increased emphasis on delivering safe products to consumers has made product safety regulations in various parts of the world more and more complex and demanding for all stakeholders. 

For example, under the new EU product safety legislation – the General Product Safety Regulation that will become effective in December 2024 – manufacturers and distributors who want to sell products into the EU market will have to comply with more rigorous product safety requirements. Product safety regulators from different parts of the world cooperate in order to achieve common goals.

The session will present an overview of changes to product safety regulations in various continents and give practical tips as to what economic operators must take into account in regards to product safety and litigation risk.

Engagement in pro bono work in Latin America grows every year and law firms across the region are consolidating their offerings by taking important steps to further institutionalise their practices. Share in the discussion and be inspired by examples of trending topics in pro bono projects in Latin America.

The ‘S’ in environmental, social and governance (ESG) is often the weakest link in the corporate value chain.

This session will:

•    Feature legal experts with real-life experiences representing clients who have conducted human rights and environmental due diligence and local community consultations;
•    share lessons from the trenches under Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) indigenous consultations and other community-based engagement as prescribed by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), UN declaration of rights for indigenous peoples and other international standards;
•    present novel schemes such as use-sharing and carbon credit approaches to funding of community projects; 
•    and discuss how to gather and report on what is often considered to be subjective data.

A number of jurisdictions have implemented mechanisms for the review of the performance and conduct of judges. Some of these can result in removal. Very rarely, judges have been held liable for criminal conduct or civil remedies. Whilst judges should be accountable, should they serve at the whim of the executive? What is appropriate review of judicial conduct?

An open meeting of the Senior Lawyers’ committee where all conference participants are invited to learn more about the activities of the committee and express their interest in participating in such activities. 

For some time, ESG has been gaining attention from large law firms, auditors and their clients. ESG issues are also gaining traction in other circles in the legal profession, notably alternative business structures. ESG frameworks evaluate business practices and performance but also measure risks and opportunities. The panel will assess each pillar of ESG (environmental, social, governance), exploring the practices and steps law firms and alternative business structures can adopt and implement to uphold the 2030 UN Sustainability and Development Goals.

Latin America (Latam) continues to be a large, growing and dynamic market for both regional and global deals. This panel of leading practitioners will dissect the latest trends and challenges impacting Latam mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including those local and international issues that you need to navigate in order to execute transactions successfully in this region.

What does responsible corporate action look like in the midst of a war zone? Panellists representing a diverse range of views and experiences explore the intersection between the laws of war, international criminal law, business and human rights (BRH), corporate accountability and strategic litigation. The session will explore contemporary developments and examine best-practices in minimising the risks for corporate actors and look at how actors can work across sectors to better protect victims and survivors of atrocity crimes.

This session will address how artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions in terms of legal tech tools used, topics for due diligence, additional covenants/reps & warranties, warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurances, etc.

The USD$800bn aviation industry is a huge player in the global economy which, notoriously, lags behind other industries in its use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Join us for a spirited conversation on the causes of this lag and the various measures being taken to encourage uptake in mediation throughout the industry. We will focus on several practice areas and industry sectors, including mass tort claims, contractual disputes with regard to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), leasing and financing, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul sectors.

Business and leisure travellers face a raft of new global schemes that require pre-travel electronic authorisation. Is global travel becoming more difficult? 

The pollution liability and applicable limitation schemes will explore similarities and differences between various liability and limitation regimes, with a focus on the applicable schemes in the Americas.

This session will explore several aspects of nearshoring.

Navigating Mexican taxation and employment-ownership regimes for multinational enterprises (MNEs) contemplating business expansion into Mexico.