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Regulation of Lawyers Committee

The Regulation of Lawyers Committee provides a global perspective on practical and legal aspects of the growing body of regulation affecting all lawyers (whether individual lawyers, firms, in-house lawyers or those who work for clients) as well as current professional risk management topics and compliance issues affecting lawyers around the world. The Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Expert Subcommittee focuses on anti-money laundering requirements and financial and trade sanctions legislation, regulation and trends as they impacts lawyers. The Committee provide a forum to discuss and consider legislation impacting the practice of law, considering the ever-expanding multi-jurisdictional approach to lawyer regulation.

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Rule of Law Forum

The Rule of Law Forum, established in 2007, supports IBA members in advocating for the Rule of Law, as per the 2005 Prague Resolution. Originally the Rule of Law Action Group, the Forum operates within the Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI). Its purpose is to assist members in responding to the IBA Council's call to support the Rule of Law in their communities. The Forum's activities are led by Co-Chairs, with Vice-Chairs assisting them. The Forum does not have formal membership but maintains a circulation list. Liaison members from other IBA committees help integrate Rule of Law into their work.

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Judges' Forum

Membership of the Forum is open to judges of all levels of court and seniority, whether exercising general or special jurisdiction, and including part-time retired judges. It is hoped that members of the IBA who have been active in its committees and constituents while in practice as lawyers will find in the Judges' Forum an additional means of maintaining their involvement after appointment or election to the Bench.

The activities of the Forum are normally concentrated on organisation of sessions at the Annual Conferences of the IBA. It has been the practice in recent years for those sessions to be co-sponsored with other IBA committees and constituents, dealing with subjects of mutual interest such as litigation, education, ethics and elimination of bias. The Forum also produces an ad hoc newsletter; contributions are encouraged.

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Immigration and Nationality Law Committee

The Immigration and Nationality Law Committee is concerned with all aspects of immigration and nationality law on a worldwide basis, including business-related immigration, family reunion policies, refugees and compassionate cases.

The Committee aims to provide a forum for the discussion of comparative data on immigration and nationality policies of countries worldwide.

The mission and focus of the committee is to provide a platform for lawyers practising immigration laws to receive input and update about the immigration laws of their country and also immigration laws and procedures of other jurisdictions. We achieve this by holding annual conferences and presentation of papers, newsletters and providing other online resources to enhance the knowledge of its member in multiple jurisdictions.

View a list of past chairs here.

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Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee

Very few legal fields face the revolutionary changes that employment and industrial relations laws do. Issues such as technology, human rights, globalisation, corporate citizenship and increased movements of people have created unprecedented legal complexity as they interact with traditional laws often formulated decades ago. As the largest of the Human Resource Section Committees of the IBA, the purpose of the Committee is the identification, technical analysis and proactive management of national, regional and global developments in these rapidly evolving fields. The Committee takes a ‘cutting edge’ approach to its selection of topics and speakers and draws upon the combined experience of its officers and panellists to present the members with innovative solutions to the employment law problems of today.

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Closely Held Companies Committee

The mission of the Committee is to address issues of particular interest to start ups, owner-managed, closely held and family businesses and their legal advisors, and to organisations with ambitions for growth. The Committee's aim is to provide a focus for the different needs of ownership, management and financing of such organisations. Particular focus is placed on: management and ownership issues, finance and the raising of tier one and two capital, shareholder issues and agreements, business succession plans, exit planning, relationships with outside investors, protection of minority interests, dispute monitoring and resolution, the role of professionals in management and advisory roles and relevant issues arising from tax, employment, real estate, estate planning and family law.

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Leisure Industries Section

The Leisure Industries Section started as the Travel Law Section and addressed the needs of travel law practitioners serving the travel industries. It grew to merge with the Tourism and Sports and Gaming sections expanding in its scope to provide a specialist network of professionals in the leisure industries.

The Section recognises that lawyers who work in the leisure industries often practice in one of the more traditional legal fields (aviation, property, finance, maritime, intellectual property, employment, litigation, conflict of laws, consumer law, insurance and trade law). The Section provides a focused forum on issues which emerge due to the greater amount of leisure time available and the increased internationalisation of sports and gaming.

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Communications Law Committee

The Communications Law Committee is a leading global forum for legal practitioners with specialist expertise or interest in the communications sector. The Committee offers members access to a worldwide network of leading practitioners, in-house counsel and regulators active in digital, communications and media markets. We encourage the sharing of sectoral expertise through regular publication of articles, periodic issues of our technical journal, the annual committee conference hosted jointly with IBA Antitrust Section, and specialised sessions at the IBA Annual Conference. The scope of the Committee’s work covers network, service and content-related developments across all delivery platforms. This provides members with access to practical global perspectives on the array of technological, commercial and policy issues which confront communications lawyers, their companies and clients.

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International Commerce and Distribution Committee

The International Commerce and Distribution Committee examines legal issues fundamental to the growth and development of international commerce.

The Committee deals extensively with issues relating to international sales contracts, agency and distribution, cross-border acquisitions, warranties and financing of international sales.

In addition to reviewing the current legal position in different countries from a comparative perspective, the committee also examines international and supranational instruments, such as the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, Incoterms and the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits and relevant instruments of the European Union and Mercosur.

The Committee also focuses on law reform in the fields of law within its scope, and since 1997 has monitored and offered suggestions in connection with the proposed Hague Convention on International Jurisdiction and the Effects of Foreign judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters.

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Professional Ethics Committee

The Committee provides a forum for all international lawyers who are interested in discussing and debating issues affecting the practice of law. In today's world a lawyer may face conflicting duties and the application of professional standards may be far from apparent. The Committee focuses on developments of international significance and seeks active collaboration with other committees and constituents in providing programmes at the IBA conferences.

The Committee works closely with the IBA Standing Committee on Professional Ethics which is concerned with the maintenance and periodical reform of the International Code of Ethics.

The Committee seeks to facilitate relevant networking and information/experience sharing opportunities and encompasses the social and collegial interests of both members and potential members with other regional fora, the Corporate Counsel Forum and the Young Lawyers Committee and all LPD committees in general.

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Asia Pacific Regional Forum

The Asia Pacific Forum offers fantastic opportunities to establish contact with legal experts in and outside of the region, practising in many different areas of law, and to keep abreast of legal business developments in the region.

In addition to offering an unrivalled opportunity to establish contact among lawyers within and outside the region, and with acknowledged experts on different areas of law, specialist Forum activities provide an unparalleled opportunity to keep abreast of legal business developments in the region. Members also benefit from excellent working relations with national Bars, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and LAWASIA.

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Product Law and Advertising Committee

The topics and problems covered by the Product Law and Advertising Committee are regularly part of and interlinked with bigger issues related to the international trade of goods and services in a globalised economy.

The Committee therefore deals with the legal aspects surrounding the use and safety of products, their presentation as well as advertising.

The main areas of interest are product liability, unfair competition, relevant trade regulation, product safety regulations, consumer law and advertising law. Special areas of interest include online advertising and advertising issues related to the latest technological developments.

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Maritime and Transport Law Committee

The Maritime and Transport Law Committee is one of the oldest and most established committees of the IBA, with more than 650 members worldwide.The Committee is a platform where leading maritime law professionals meet, create connections and discuss the most current legal issues in the field of maritime and transport law. The Committee arranges a number of sessions on developments in maritime and transport law at the annual conferences of the IBA. Frequent half-year seminars are held in the world’s maritime centres, and the Committee is also active in cooperating with other organisations in the maritime law area such as Comite Maritime International, International Maritime Organisation Legal Council, and maritime law societies in jurisdictions around the world.

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Family Law Committee

The Family Law Committee provides a unique forum for members from different countries and different legal systems to exchange views, meet during conferences and debate issues concerning the substantive and procedural aspects of family law. The work of the committee has focused on developments of international significance, involving all aspects of family law, for example, marriage, divorce, inheritance, human rights in the family, adoption, international child abduction, etc. There is a close interaction within the committee and its members through newsletters and via e-mail.

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Water Law Committee

Welcome to the Water Law Committee online. The Water Law Committee focuses on legal issues associated with water as a critical resource and as a basic need and building block throughout the world. The Committee seeks to promote the active exchange of information and views on the use of water as a limited resource and an infrastructure opportunity, the controversies on water and the governance and business of water. The Water Law Committee is part of the IBA Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law

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Insurance Committee

Insurance is present in every facet of commercial, industrial and private life. Lawyers practising in many different fields encounter insurance and its problems and can greatly benefit from the knowledge which membership of this Committee provides.

The Committee aims to provide its members, and the Division as a whole, with information about developments in insurance and reinsurance law and markets throughout the world as well as with specialist knowledge to assist in the efficient solution of practical insurance problems. New insurance products are also brought to the attention of members.

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Securities and Capital Markets Committee

The Securities and Capital Markets Committee unites business lawyers, academics, regulators, and policy shapers who have an interest in the practice and regulation of securities law and capital markets. Our focus is on the intersection of regional and national capital markets, developments in capital markets products, securities law, regulation of market players, investment banks, brokers, exchanges and central securities depositories. The Committee host flagship conferences and collaborates extensively with other committees, fostering connections across regions and disciplines. The Committee was formed in 2025 by merger of the former Securities Law Committee and Capital Markets Forum.

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Arbitration Committee

The IBA Arbitration Committee focuses on laws, practice and procedures relating to the arbitration of transnational disputes. Through its conferences, publications and projects, the Committee seeks to share information about international arbitration, promote its use and improve its effectiveness. Become a member of the Committee to benefit from networking opportunities, discounts on conferences and the opportunity to write for IBA publications. You can also get involved with the work of the Committee, which is detailed further below.

Download the Arbitration Committee membership presentation for full details of the Committee's work.

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Forum for Barristers and Advocates

The Forum for Barristers and Advocates represents Bar Associations whose members practice as independent referral practitioners in jurisdictions with a divided legal profession. Formed by Bar Leaders, the Forum advocates for the principles of independent advocacy within the IBA. The Forum addresses the importance of advocate and judiciary independence, ethical conduct, and training. The Forum supports human rights and collaborates with the Judges' Forum and other committees on litigation and trial topics. The Forum’s inaugural members include Bar Associations from England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and Hong Kong, representing over 16,000 barristers and advocates. Membership is open to bar associations which are full or supporting members of the IBA, and to individual members of any Divisions.

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Insolvency Section

The Insolvency Section is a network of leading lawyers, judges, and academics from restructuring, insolvency, and creditors' rights law. With over 30 years of experience, we play a pivotal role in the development and reform of international insolvency law. We shape global frameworks by sending expert delegates to leading organisations, such as the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the World Bank.

The Section represents high standards in the field, giving members opportunities to connect, contribute, and lead globally. Members benefit from cross-referral opportunities, involvement in law reform initiatives, and access to the Insolvency and Restructuring International journal. Our conferences bring together experts to exchange ideas, collaborate, and shape the future of insolvency practice.

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International Construction Projects Committee

The International Construction Projects Committee is a global, diverse group of lawyers focused on the promotion and understanding of construction law across the globe. We cover all aspects of construction and engineering projects and foster the exchange of experiences from practitioners around the world.

The Committee serves those active in both domestic construction markets and international projects, and offer extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious construction issues. The Committee meets annually at the IBA Annual Conference and the International Construction Projects Committee retreat, and biennially at the Conference on Construction Projects, providing opportunities to connect and share knowledge.

If you are a member, join our LinkedIn group.

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Mining Law Committee

The Mining Law Committee seeks to promote the interchange of information and views, and to advance knowledge among individual members of the committee and others as to laws, practices and procedures affecting all activities concerning minerals and mining throughout the world. The committee is part of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law.

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Regional Fora Coordination Committee

The Regional Fora Coordination Committee identifies areas of cooperation between the different fora of the IBA, assisting them in sharing their knowledge, expertise and strategies to design and execute common initiatives, projects and programs to promote the objectives of the IBA and its members and to foster closer connections between the different regional members to achieve their professional development and increase their networking opportunities.

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Anti-Corruption Committee

The Anti-Corruption Committee provides an international forum for private and public-sector practitioners to meet and discuss anti-corruption laws, compliance practices, enforcement trends and asset recovery issues. It facilitates the sharing of best practice and the regular communication of legal and other developments, including new legislation, case-law, prosecution guidance and government policy, as well as developments in civil society, the private sector and international organisations. Committee members have the opportunity to assist one another in understanding transnational corruption, share domestic legal expertise and extend their professional experience internationally.

The committee’s regular conferences and newsletters allow members to stay abreast of developments in this fast-moving area and form a better understanding of the anti-corruption standards and practices in different countries. The committee wishes in particular to assist practitioners in areas where anti-corruption laws and procedures are relatively under-developed or under-enforced.

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International Trade and Customs Law Committee

The International Trade and Customs Law Committee is a forum for international practitioners, corporate counsel, academics and government officials to convene, exchange ideas and promote discussion of issues across the spectrum of international trade and customs law.

The International Trade and Customs Law Committee also works closely with bar associations and other organisations across the world to organise events and to ensure that the committee and its members are on the leading edge of international trade and customs issues.

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Technology Law Committee

The IBA Technology Law Committee brings together lawyers addressing the evolving legal challenges of modern technologies. The Committee's mandate covers a wide range of tech-related areas, supported by eight subcommittees: AI and Robotics, Data Law, Technology Disputes, Fintech, Life Sciences, Outsourcing and Managed Services, Platforms, E-commerce & Social Media and Cybersecurity.

Each subcommittee focuses on specific issues, such as intellectual property, data protection, financial regulation, medical technologies, and cybersecurity, helping professionals navigate the complex legal landscape of emerging technologies.

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Forum for Government and Public Lawyers

The Forum for Government and Public Lawyers provides a platform for government and public lawyers worldwide. As the global voice of the legal profession, the IBA supports these lawyers and connects them with both public and private sector practitioners. The Forum focuses on the role of government and public lawyers, covering public service values, ethics, specialist skills, and public international law developments. Membership is open to Bar Associations that are IBA members and individual members of any Division. The Forum is especially relevant to practitioners working in government or public entities at domestic, regional, or international levels.

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Art, Cultural Institutions and Heritage Law Committee

The Art, Cultural Institutions and Heritage Law Committee focuses on all legal aspects pertaining to art, artists, the art market and cultural heritage. The Committee’s interest extends from antiquities all the way to contemporary and ultra-contemporary works of art.

With members from over 50 countries - including experts in museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural heritage protection - the Committee fosters communication among legal professionals on all matters involving Art and Cultural Property Law. Our goal is to establish a worldwide network of Art and Cultural Property lawyers with information and discussion links to relevant NGOs, institutes of art law, and governmental organisations.

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Aviation Law Committee

The Aviation Law Committee is concerned with several major areas of law. Aircraft transactions and financing are always a major interest. The Committee also follows developments of international law with respect to airlines in both economic and tort areas, and also focuses on competition issues related to aviation.

The Committee provides an opportunity not only to contribute to the development of aviation law but also to make useful contacts with aviation attorneys from all over the world. This is particularly important in an international industry such as aviation, where attorneys are required to deal with aviation attorneys in other countries on a regular basis.

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Negligence and Damages Committee

The Negligence and Damages Committee has the object of providing information from a range of jurisdictions worldwide. Participants will gain practical knowledge which will enable them to deliver a better service to clients in their own jurisdiction. Equally, when consulted by clients who were injured in other jurisdictions, on ships, on aircraft or elsewhere, the committee activities provide information and networking opportunities with colleagues which will enable lawyers to undertake such cases on an international basis.

Negligence and Damages are evolving fields of law in many jurisdictions. The committee seeks to equip its members with the ability to understand and influence these changes in the legal environment.

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