Conference programme
Conference homeSearch programme
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
In recent years, global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions have faced an increased set of regulatory challenges. Mandatory merger control approvals are proliferating and remain divergent, both in terms of their review processes and appetite for remedies in complex cases. At the same time, the rise in foreign investment review systems around the world, as national interest comes to the fore in an era of de-globalisation, adds to the regulatory burden of cross-border deal making. As the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation beds down, the impact of this new regime needs to be included in the mix. This panel will discuss these regulatory challenges to global M&A deals and explore solutions for navigating the complexity.
Antitrust Section (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
Reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and giving the world a chance of limiting a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius requires a complete transformation of how we power our daily lives and the global economy. In this panel, we aim to analyse and discuss the energy transition from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption to renewable energy sources, the use of clean hydrogen and other low-emission fuels, regulatory framework, technology developments, financing, universal energy access and employment.
Latin American Regional Forum (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
Delivering legal advice across multiple jurisdictions is increasingly challenging due to the substantial number of divergent regulations applicable to the legal profession across the African continent and the globe in general. As clients become more global and require more integrated, cross-border service, some challenges and tensions develop because of the profession’s framework of qualification and governance organised by jurisdiction. National bar associations, law societies and the IBA should focus on whether and how ethical, training and practice standards need to be adapted to the current practice of law, both within their jurisdictions in Africa and globally. There is the need to for jurisdictions to cooperate more closely to ensure that ethical, training and practice standards are reasonable, harmonised or mutually recognised for the purposes of regulation and enforcement.
• What is the current state of cross-border legal practice in Africa and is it ideal in light of the internationalisation of legal practice across Africa and the world?
• With regional integration becoming a reality on the continent, how can these existing regulatory barriers be removed or harmonised to facilitate cross-border legal practice in the region?
• Are there any existing models of regulation that facilitate cross-border legal practice in other regions of the world.
• What is the way forward for the regulation and/or facilitation of cross-border legal practice in Africa and the world in the light of regional integration and the internationalisation of legal practice?
African Regional Forum (Lead)
BIC International Trade in Legal Services Committee
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
Wellbeing in the legal profession is being challenged by a growing tension between those who prefer to work remotely and those who are seeking to restore in-office presence. The advantage of remote practice eliminates time lost in commute for many, as well as providing a certain flexibility in the work-life balance. On the other hand, the give and take, as well as mentoring, among lawyers and the sense of working within a team is missed by others. Of concern is the growing research and publicity about alienation in society as a whole. Those working in the legal profession around the world are already challenged by factors unique to the practice of law, this concern of the impact of remoteness is not limited to them. However, as part of the overall mix, the question is whether remote working it is taking a toll on wellbeing and what can be done about it. The panel will discuss this increasingly public phenomenon in connection with the overall work of the IBA Wellbeing Commission and provide expert speakers in an interactive forum that encourages audience participation.
IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit
IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
Recently, there has been an increase in cases related to damages incurred in underdeveloped countries that are being brought before European or US courts. A significant number of these cases rely on litigation funding. While litigation funding is allowed in many jurisdictions, it does carry certain risks and ethical concerns, particularly in the context of transnational damages claims. The purpose of this panel is to explore the potential and boundaries (if any) of litigation funding in transnational claims for damages compensation.
Negligence and Damages Committee (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1615 - 1730)
Session details
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape various aspects of our society, its integration into the legal system has garnered significant attention. The intersection of AI and access to justice presents a unique landscape, where technology meets the complexity of legal decision-making and a broader access to alternative dispute resolution methods. In this thought-provoking session, we will explore the multifaceted impacts of AI on access to justice, examining its effects on the quality of judgments, addressing concerns about bias, pondering the ethical notion of non-human justice, and exploring the AIs ability to comprehend and deliver fairness to citizens.
Sub-topics include:
• Impact on the access to fast delivery judgments: AI technologies have the potential to enhance the quality of judgments by streamlining legal research, analysing vast datasets and providing data-driven insights to judges and legal practitioners. This sub-topic will explore how AI tools can assist in making informed, evidence-based decisions and potentially reduce errors and inefficiencies within the justice system.
• Addressing bias in AI: ensuring that AI is not biased by its programmers or by the data it learns from is a crucial aspect of integrating AI into the legal system. We will discuss the challenges associated with bias in AI algorithms, potential strategies to mitigate bias and the importance of transparency, accountability and ethical considerations in AI development.
• Non-human justice: a fascinating aspect of AI’s role in the justice system is the concept of non-human justice. Can AI systems, devoid of human emotion and subjectivity, truly deliver justice? This sub-topic will spark a philosophical and ethical discussion on whether justice can be administered impartially and fairly by non-human entities.
• AIs Understanding of fairness: understanding fairness is a complex human concept, influenced by cultural, social and legal norms. We will explore the challenges AI faces in comprehending and applying fairness, including the difficulties in defining fairness and the need to balance various stakeholders’ interests. This sub-topic will delve into the evolving field of AI ethics and its role in shaping AIs understanding of fairness. This session aims to foster a deeper understanding of the potential benefits and challenges that AI brings to a more just and equitable society.
• Role of AI in judgment elaboration: a critical consideration is the extent of AIs role in the legal process. Should AI be limited to assisting in the analysis of evidence, or should it participate in elaborating judgments? This topic will examine the advantages and disadvantages of AI involvement in judgment elaboration and the implications for human oversight.
Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee (Lead)
Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Tuesday 17 September (1730 - 1830)
Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1730 - 1830)
Asia Pacific Regional Forum
China Working Group (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1730 - 1830)
Latin American Regional Forum (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1730 - 1830)
Session details
Pro Bono Committe: Open Committee Business Meeting to engage with current members and potential new members about the work of the Pro Bono Committee and the role of officers
Pro Bono Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1830 - 2130)
International Franchising Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1900 - 2200)
Asset Management and Investment Funds Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1900 - 2200)
Business Human Rights Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1900 - 2300)
Corporate and M&A Law Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (1930 - 2230)
Private Client Tax Committee (Lead)
Taxation Section (Lead)
Taxes Committee (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (2000 - 2300)
Real Estate Section (Lead)
Tuesday 17 September (2000 - 2300)
Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL) (Lead)
Wednesday 18 September (0800 - 0930)
Session details
A breakfast meeting of the IBA Arbitration Committee will take place to discuss matters of interest and future activities, as well as to provide updates on the activities of the Committee.
Arbitration Committee (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Wednesday 18 September (0800 - 0930)
Session details
Over recent years, law firm leaders have had to deal with several black swan events: a global pandemic, war in Europe and the Middle East, trade wars amongst world powers and a global economic recession with high inflation and interest rates. Leading law firms are, however, still doing well – do lawyers handle these events better than other businesses or are we simply active in a privileged industry? What have we learned? Where do we think we are headed?
Law Firm Management Committee (Lead)
Session/Workshop Chair(s)
Wednesday 18 September (0800 - 0930)
Power Law Committee (Lead)