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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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International Franchising Committee

The International Franchising Committee focuses on the law and business of international franchising. Committee interests include: competition law principles, cross-border sales and licensing issues, the business forms employed and trademark and intellectual property protections required to assure franchising success.

The Committee has served and continues to play an educational role for the legal profession, judiciary and legislators, and enables members to examine and comment upon legislative and regulatory proposals affecting international franchising. Through the committee's regular newsletter, International Franchising Committee members are kept up to date on legal developments, seminars and publications of interest around the world.

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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.

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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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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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International Commerce, Trade, Franchising and Product Law Section

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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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African Regional Forum

The African Regional Forum aims to enhance the value and significance of the International Bar Association (IBA) by addressing issues unique to African lawyers. The Forum focuses on cooperation with bar associations, supporting legal development, and promoting IBA participation across Africa. We organise regional conferences, workshops, and seminars to foster specialisation and partnerships within the legal profession. The Forum also works to educate about legal rights, strengthen sub-regional bars, and facilitate exchanges between developed and developing bars. We play a crucial role in training, legal reforms, and fostering collaboration with government and other regional fora.

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Arab Regional Forum

The Arab Regional Forum provides lawyers active in, or with an interest in the region, with a means to establish contact and exchange information with each other. A particular focus of interest is the continuing economic importance of the region, including reconstruction and investment projects following peace initiatives.

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Corporate Counsel Forum

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Corporate Counsel Forum

The Corporate Counsel Forum is the pre-eminent forum within the IBA to discuss, educate, and advocate on the role and expectations of legal professionals in corporate settings. The Forum helps IBA members navigate corporate hierarchies, balance business goals, and provide legal services at the highest standards. The forum focuses on topics relevant to its members, including selecting and managing outside counsel, professional development, legal privilege, global practices, managing corporate legal functions, and corporate governance.

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European Regional Forum

The European Regional Forum (ERF), established in 1989, has over 8,000 members. The forum is divided into four regions - Northern, Western, Central, and Southeastern - each led by a Chair and Vice-Chair. We have five working parties - communications, D&I, ESG, mental wellbeing, and next-gen law - and we organise four conferences annually (automotive & mobility services, fashion & luxury law, ESG and start-up) in addition to many leading and participating in many smaller initiatives.

Our goals include: addressing the needs of professional organisations and individual members, increasing participation in the IBA, fostering cross-border collaboration among European lawyers and bars and supporting the Rule of Law and civil society. The ERF promotes professional development and networking opportunities through our many initiatives.

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North American Regional Forum

The North American Regional Forum (NARF) of the IBA unites legal professionals from the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, providing a platform for collaboration on key business law issues like corporate, finance, trade, and litigation. NARF addresses regional concerns, including NAFTA, foreign investment, and cross-border security, while also tackling global challenges such as climate change and international trade. It promotes North American perspectives within IBA programs, ensuring representation on panels and committees. NARF also organises regional conferences, networking opportunities, and fosters communication among North American lawyers, strengthening business relationships within the legal community.

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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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Latin American Regional Forum

The Latin American Regional Forum (LARF) provides a focus for all activities in the region. The group organises sessions at IBA Conferences and in particular has been instrumental in ensuring that a Latin American perspective is addressed during relevant special sessions. The LARF is closely affiliated with the North American Forum as the regions are geographically proximate and share many issues.

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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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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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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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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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War Crimes Committee

The War Crimes Committee works to promote justice around the world and uphold the principle of accountability. We focus on atrocity crimes, international criminal law, and practice. We provide a forum for practitioners and scholars, offering reliable resources and a network of contacts in this field. The committee supports international, ad hoc, and domestic war crimes tribunals and collaborates with the IBA Human Rights Institute to promote justice and accountability. We also have a working relationship with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Committee aims include being a leading professional body for international criminal law, providing valuable resources, and inspiring young lawyers in this area.

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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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Business Crime Committee

The Business Crime Committee provides a forum for members to discuss, address, and advocate on emerging white-collar crime issues. The Committee’s goal is to promote awareness of the growing significance of novel tactics. Recent focuses include international cooperation in criminal matters, money laundering, cybercrime, internal investigations, and legal frameworks against bribery and corruption in global transactions. Membership benefits include opportunities to publish articles and content, attending educational conferences and networking with business crime lawyers and opportunities for sourcing referrals to experts in foreign jurisdictions and attorneys.

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Antitrust Section

The Antitrust Section provides an international forum for thought leadership with respect to antitrust law developments and the profession through submissions to competition agencies, training programs/missions, developing the law through our conferences, publications, and interaction with antitrust enforcement authorities and the profession.

In addition, there is a strong commitment to bring together international practitioners to facilitate closer working relationships. The Section is increasingly relied upon by government officials and members of the private sector for its expertise and practical input into antitrust developments, including through its Working Group submissions.

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Class Actions Committee

The Class Actions Committee serves as a platform for lawyers to discuss differing class action and collective redress regimes, monitor international developments, and debate key policy and rule of law issues. Class actions are becoming increasingly common, providing access to justice and holding corporations and authorities accountable.

Jurisdictions vary widely in their approaches, with some countries facing fundamental challenges. Global coordination in prosecuting and defending major cases is growing, with fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing being vital. The Committee provides a forum for international lawyers to come together and discuss these differences, as well as network with other professionals within this space.

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Space Law Committee

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Banking & Financial Law Committee

The Banking and Financial Law Committee provides a worldwide forum for banking lawyers and other legal professionals within the banking community to address all sorts of practical and legal issues arising in commercial and regulatory activities in this context. The Committee has held one of the IBA’s most popular and well established events, the International Financial Law Conference, every year since 1984. Below you will find information, updates, news and other resources relevant to your committee.

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Criminal Law Committee

The Criminal Law Committee provides a forum for members from various countries and criminal justice systems to meet, exchange views, and monitor developments in criminal law. The Committee focuses on transnational and international issues. The Committee keeps members informed through newsletters and rapporteurs. The member listings, organised by location and practice area, allow for case referrals, cooperation in transnational criminal cases, and the exchange of professional experiences. This platform also offers opportunities for members to assist one another in transnational criminal law matters and share expertise in related cases.

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Power Law Committee

The Power Law Committee provides a forum for energy lawyers from diverse legal backgrounds to interact, share ideas, new trends, and foster collegiality.

We explore different topics: international ownership, mitigating climate change, energy transition, regulatory methodologies, power purchase arrangements, transmission siting, access and pricing, engineering procurement and construction, operation and maintenance, reliability standards and compliance, fuel procurement and hedging arrangements, new technologies, among others.

We aim to provide our members with practical and useful advice to better serve clients, and to offer the opportunity for collaboration, networking and friendships.

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Real Estate Section

The Real Estate Section is a global forum for lawyers interested in real estate law. With the increasing internationalisation of real estate transactions, the Section has evolved to address legal and practical issues in a global context. It provides a platform for lawyers from diverse legal backgrounds to exchange views, collaborate, and participate in conferences. Members are encouraged to engage in annual conferences, special projects, and the Section's newsletter. The Section fosters valuable networking opportunities and continues to prepare impactful conferences on international real estate matters, welcoming contributions and ideas from members worldwide.

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Taxes Committee

The Taxes Committee encourages interface between international tax specialists and promotes the building of networks among tax lawyers worldwide to assist them in better serving the interests of their clients. The committee is divided informally into four practice group areas: Income Taxes, Other Taxes, Tax Litigation and Employee Benefits.

Members are encouraged to contribute to the committee newsletter which is published two to three times per year and to present papers at committee conferences and seminars. The committee also offers tax executives a forum, in its Tax Executives group, to exchange expertise and skills with their colleagues in industry on topics of special interest.

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