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Financial Services Section

Welcome to the Financial Services Law Section online

Here you will find information, updates, news and other resources relevant to your section.

Section

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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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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Institutes and Trusts

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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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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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Agriculture and Food Section

The Agriculture and Food Section (AFS) focuses on the evolving intersection of agricultural and food law and policy. Addressing urgent issues such as equitable food production in the face of climate change, land use, food production and distribution, farmers’ rights, seed and biotechnology laws, food safety, and agri-tech. We also explore sustainable agricultural practices and investment strategies. As a dynamic and essential field, the AFS provides a platform to address critical legal challenges in feeding the planet effectively and sustainably.

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Agriculture and Food Section

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Oil and Gas Law Committee

The Oil and Gas Law Committee focuses on issues such as: exploration and production of hydrocarbons, onshore and offshore oil and gas, joint Operating Agreements and industry contracts, financing and insurance, comparative tax regimes, state participation and national oil companies, trans-national pipelines, storage, and refining, sales and shipping agreements, alternative dispute resolutions, licensing, PSA, and other regimes, downstream issues, oil and gas trade and marketing, natural gas transportation and distribution, LNG chain and hydrocarbon regulatory bodies and agencies.

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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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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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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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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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Diversity and Equality Law Committee

The Diversity and Equality Law Committee includes private practitioners, in-house attorneys, and academics working with corporate clients on issues like pay equity, anti-discrimination, and LGBTQ+ rights. Members come from leading law firms, corporations, and various perspectives. The Committee publishes an annual newsletter highlighting new developments and issues of interest. The Committee also comprises the Disability Rights Working Group, focused on disabled individuals' rights in the workplace. The Committee collaborates with the Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee, the Immigration and Nationality Law Committee , and the Global Employment Institute.

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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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Academic and Professional Development Committee

The Academic and Professional Development Committee connects law schools, legal professionals, and the IBA. We aim to enhance the quality of lawyers worldwide, modernise legal practice, and attract top talent to the profession. We engage directly with law schools, helping students prepare for international practice, and support IBA initiatives to strengthen local Bars globally.

At annual conferences, we bring together academics, lawyers, and experts to explore issues in legal and business education. Additionally, we conduct research on these topics and share insights through newsletters and updates on our webpage to benefit the global legal community.

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Poverty and Social Development Committee

The Poverty and Social Development Committee, builds on years of work under various IBA auspices. We engage the legal profession to contribute to UN Sustainability Goal #1: Eradicating Poverty. Our committee advocates for using law to protect individuals and communities from poverty, promoting well-being. We believe legal professionals have a duty to create and apply law for good, preventing exploitation and mitigating harm. Planned projects include a podcast, a practical book for lawyers, a session at the IBA Annual Conference, and supporting NGOs focused on poverty eradication. We invite members to join our efforts.

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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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Law and Individual Rights Section

Welcome to the Law and Individual Rights Section online

Here you will find information, updates, news and other resources relevant to your section.

Section

Maritime and Aviation Law Section

Welcome to the Maritime and Aviation Law Section online

Here you will find information, updates, news and other resources relevant to your section.

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Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Committee

The main areas are patents, trade marks, copyright, trade secrets and unfair competition. Allied to these are a number of related areas including data protection, database protection, privacy, design rights, domain names and the like.

In the entertainment law area the key focus is on the creation, provision and delivery of content in relation to print, films, broadcasts, cable programmes, musical works and sound recordings. There is also involvement with media law including defamation and privacy and authors' rights in a more general sense.

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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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Environment, Health and Safety Law Committee

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Asset Management and Investment Funds Committee

The Asset Management and Investment Funds Committee provides a convenient forum for its members to consider current developments in the global investment funds industry, including both regulatory and product development. It also produces newsletters and occasional e-bulletins for its members. In addition to its programmes at the annual IBA conferences, the committee presents an annual conference on Globalisation of Investment Funds normally held in June, which celebrated its 30th successful year in 2020. The event attracts delegates from approximately 30 countries, and features presentations by senior regulators from around the world, senior executives of top fund managers and other fund service providers as well as from leading practitioners in the field.

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Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee

The Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee addresses legal issues in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, such as medicine, intellectual property, biotech, bioethics, regulatory matters, and scientific developments. With a dynamic, diverse, and growing membership, the Committee fosters collaboration to tackle industry challenges, such as increased competition and regulatory changes.

We provide a platform for discussion, sharing knowledge, and updating members on key developments. Through conferences, seminars, and global events, the Committee promotes professional growth, enabling members to benefit from advanced practices in well-established jurisdictions while supporting those new to this field.

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Intellectual Property, Communications and Technology Section

Welcome to the Intellectual Property, Communications and Technology Law Section online

Here you will find information, updates, news and other resources relevant to your section.

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Corporate and M&A Law Committee

The Corporate and M&A Law Committee connects corporate, compliance, private equity, and M&A practitioners globally. Focused on education, networking, and collaboration, we address key challenges in corporate law and M&A.

Our goals include: promoting knowledge-sharing through conferences and legal guides, enhancing participation in IBA activities, and supporting professional development. We also contribute to legal education through training, book donations, and programming on emerging trends like ESG, compliance, and cross-border M&A. We publish a newsletter annually.

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