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The current era of technology and reachable-everywhere-and-anytime lawyers imposed its rules. This wide adoption of instant messaging in some of the Middle East jurisdictions, including the UAE, has been encouraged and regularized by legislation and court decisions that afforded validity and evidentiary weight to instant messaging and electronic communications on equal footing with conventional means of communication and written documentation.
Pricing, billing and collections are not seen as an attractive part
of the practice of law. Many lawyers, including many partners,
shy away from getting involved in the ‘business aspects’ of the
practice of law. However, financial hygiene, getting the pricing
right, getting the billing right and ensuring cash is collected, are
critical to the success of any law firm and are ultimately jobs that all
partners need to pay attention to. It is also important that law
firms put in place the right mechanisms to ensure the burden
on partners is not too great and/or using too much of their
time. Striking the balance whilst underscoring the importance of
financial hygiene is the topic of this session.
6th Asia Law Firm Management Roundtable: Is your firm 'fit for the future'?
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.
Today’s legal profession often operates on an “always on” basis—constant access to emails, phones and messaging means many lawyers remain reachable well beyond office hours, including weekends and holidays, making it increasingly difficult to truly disconnect. Can lawyers still find fulfilment while meeting relentless client expectations and billable targets? This session will explore the tension between professional satisfaction, wellbeing, and financial performance in modern legal practice.
IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026
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.
The independence of lawyers and free exercise of the legal profession is under threat around the world. Lawyers are subject to attacks and violations of their rights in staggering numbers. This panel will examine relevant protections in place for lawyers, the gaps and failures in their enforcement, and how to make improvements moving forward. We’ll hear from lawyers who have been politically targeted, persecuted and arbitrarily detained as consequence of their legal representation or advocacy. We’ll also hear from experts who are committed and mandated to protect the independence of lawyers.
IBA Human Rights Conference: Climate, justice and law - challenges and opportunities
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.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused governments the world over to implement schemes to avoid mass unemployment during periods of economic shutdown. Margaret Taylor assesses the programmes in place across a number of jurisdictions and the consequences as these schemes wind down.
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.
Apr 14, 2026
This paper assesses the evidentiary value of WhatsApp and SMS screenshots – and, by analogy, ordinary unsigned emails – in Italian civil litigation. Courts treat such communications as ‘mechanical reproductions’ under Article 2712 of the Italian Civil Code, giving them full probative effect unless their conformity is specifically disavowed. The paper summarises the impact of disavowal and the main routes to prove authenticity (verification proceedings, court-appointed forensic analysis, presumptions, and witness evidence), and briefly discusses their use to support applications for payment orders and, in stricter cases, provisionally enforceable injunctions.
Part 1 - Data-driven business development (moderator - Katherine Hutchinson)
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
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
Jun 12, 2020
In late March, the Guatemalan government introduced a Covid-19 alert app, called Alerta Guate. Privacy concerns mounted quickly. For example, the app’s privacy policy allows for user data to be held for up to ten years, far beyond the likely duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Committee aims to gather global information on barriers to justice and solutions, focusing on statutory schemes like legal aid. Findings will be shared through reports and events, with all information available on the website for those unable to attend. Acting as a central hub within the IBA, the Committee will coordinate efforts on access to justice and legal aid, collaborating with other committees on joint projects. The IBA’s global reach will support the exchange of best practices, offering valuable insights for jurisdictions facing challenges in maintaining or improving access to justice during times of austerity.
Sep 24, 2025
This article describes the recent changes in employment laws in Ukraine regarding non-discrimination rules during recruitment, in particular in the field of job advertising. It also examines the relevant legislation’s alignment with Ukraine’s EU integration objectives and existing national legal frameworks.
IBA European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference
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.
Mar 27, 2017
Podcast - Trump White House contact with Justice Department breaches ethical rules
‘Russiagate’ – the alleged ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign – has prompted growing scrutiny of improper political influence in the United States justice system.
There is no single franchising law in Europe, and therefore maintaining and expanding the operation at this challenging time should take into account a lot of structural and practical considerations.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
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.
An article discussing the legal advice surrounding the following UK government lockdown guidance: ‘Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes’.
Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) has sought to silence marginalised groups through the use of the legal system to restrict the voice of persons who are vulnerable. The session will explore how the rule of law can be supported in the legal profession by responding to SLAPPs through ethical responsibility and law reform.
IBA Annual Conference Mexico City 2024
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.
Oct 17, 2022
On 1–2 September 2022, members of parliament, trade union figures and council officials, to name a few, came together to work constructively on the challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s labour market and economy. This is notably in the wake of the global economies recovery post-pandemic, where states and countries alike have turned to an imminent focus on the workforce to rebuild their economic shortfalls caused by the enormous effects of border closures and isolation orders on the workforce and key industries. This article explores a variety of outcomes, as a result of the consensus reached at the Summit.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2025
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.
Jun 18, 2020
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with governments adopting unprecedented technologically driven measures to deal with the emergency, the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the IBA Business Human Rights Committee have published Digital contact tracing for the Covid-19 epidemic: a business and human rights perspective.
The committee co-chairs invite new committee members and those attending for the first time to meet informally ahead of the start of the welcome reception.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2026
The Women Lawyers’ Committee (WLC) aspires to empower its 3000 highly valued members from all over the world to engage, network and share knowledge. The committee was originally an interest group which was introduced as an IBA constituent in 1996 to allow efficient global networking of women lawyers.
WLC aims to level the playing field in the legal profession and inspire leaders to work to achieve gender parity. It's 20 committee officers create awareness tools to help the profession achieve this goal, while at the same time facilitate an efficient global network for women lawyers to connect and develop business and expertise, supported by its Advisory board.
We welcome members with all genders and encourage all perspectives and remain a committee dedicated to the cause of women lawyers.
Apr 20, 2023
Despite their higher frequency in tertiary education, women face great challenges in securing management positions. Numerous studies have reported how invisible barriers, such as unconscious bias, are responsible for perpetuating the workplace gender gap.
Jan 31, 2022
A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA) has revealed that of 3,000 young lawyers – defined as aged 40 and under – surveyed around the world, a significant number of them are either leaving or considering leaving their current job in the next five years.
Art in a time of war: The sanctions landscape
Jul 13, 2022
In this Global Insight interview, Martyn Day, co-founder of law firm Leigh Day, reflects on some of the most important cases he’s been involved in, including taking on the UK Ministry of Defence over allegations of British Army mistreatment of civilians and detainees – themes once again in the spotlight with news of SAS activity in Afghanistan.
A webinar presented by the IBA Legal Policy and Research Unit and IBA Business Human Rights Committee, 25 June 2020, 1300-1400 BST.
Oct 29, 2021
Argentinian national and local authorities, and important civil society actors, take affirmative actions to level the playing field for particular groups that have had difficulties gaining entry to certain sectors of society.
Mediating M&A disputes: saving relationships, time and costs
Apr 21, 2026
Recent constitutional and Federal Labour Law (FLL) reforms in Mexico have reframed equal pay as a structural obligation to reduce the gender pay gap, moving beyond its traditional role as an individual anti-discrimination guarantee. This article examines the implications of this shift and the emerging pay-transparency proposals which may soon reshape employer compliance expectations.
In this session, seasoned industry legal and business experts will touch on the most recent trends in PE driven M&A in light of the challenges that deal makers in today’s unpredictable markets are facing. While their LPs expect returns to be materialized and new capital to be deployed, PE funds are currently struggling with limited and expensive sources of debt financing and gaps in expected valuations. Resourceful as they are, however, innovative deal and financing structures have been invented to bridge these gaps and to ensure continued deal making.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
The adoption of a business-as-usual approach by immigration courts in the United States has worsened the health crisis facing the American public.
Uncertainty is the new normal. Access to financing is unreliable and interest rates are high, commodities and product markets are disrupted by war and other geopolitical forces, governments are responding with sanctions and tightened FDI controls, new risks are spreading globally at a high speed. This panel is going to look for best solutions available in all phases of the dealmaking process, from pre-signing to post-closing. We will ask questions, such as how to bridge the valuation gap and manage other target risks, on-source financing creatively, prepare the deal terms and process to address regulatory risks and hurdles, and turn uncertainty into opportunity.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
When the Covid-19 pandemic closed in on the United States, instead of closing down, the US immigration courts adopted a business-as-usual approach. This has furthered the health crisis facing the American public.
The 6th Committee of The United Nations in late 2024 released the draft treaty relating to crimes against humanity. The proposed draft fills a gap in international law where certain crimes have not been covered because they were limited to certain contexts, such a crime committed during war. As a stand-alone treaty, it would aggregate in one place defined crimes, including murder, torture, slavery, rape and sexual violence, targeted persecutions of particular groups, enforced disappearance and apartheid. In the case of apartheid, there is a movement to broaden the definition beyond race to include gender. The convention would obligate national governments to ensure investigation and prosecution, including even of their own acts. The negotiation process will provide an opportunity for national bars around the world to engage with their governments to advocate positions on the details, scope and remedies. The International Bar Association's Bar Issues Commission has made this a priority for the next two years. The program will be of interest to all attorneys and bars, as the convention addresses the most fundamental of human rights issues that all bars are concerned with.
IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
Nov 29, 2024
AI, particularly generative AI, has the power to reshape the legal industry by automating repetitive tasks; improving accuracy; and allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value, strategic work. The potential is immense: firms can reduce costs; increase efficiency; and deliver better value to clients – all while driving firm profitability. But what does this shift mean for the largest employment sector for lawyers – firms themselves? Law firms now face a dual challenge: adopting AI to meet client expectations while ensuring junior lawyers are trained and equipped to thrive in an AI-enhanced legal landscape.
The role of judges in times of conflict, revolution and political oppression requires bravery to uphold the Rule of Law. There are many famous historical examples, but we have witnessed in modern times judges who have upheld their moral and ethical standards to ensure the Rule of Law prevails.
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
This note addresses principles, practices and pitfalls in respect to preliminary interim measures, that is, temporary decisions in the nature of ex parte preliminary orders taken before hearing the affected party (and sometimes without notice). Overall, the popular phrase ‘pushing the envelope’ provides a metaphorical template for considering whether ex parte preliminary orders ‘attempt to extend the current limits of performance’ or simply ‘go beyond commonly accepted boundaries’.
This session explores the significance and development of private international law principles in the civil and commercial sphere, in times of crisis and conflict. Our panel of experts will take an in depth look at how legal obligations between private individuals and businesses may be (and are being) affected, including considering questions of governing law and jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of judgments and contractual relationships.
4th IBA Litigation Committee Conference on Private International Law
Dec 13, 2021
The second part of this analysis focuses on the high-risk AI systems, their scope and the requirements prescribed by the EU’s draft AI Act. It also pinpoints several important challenges that need to be addressed and issues to be resolved in the final version of the text.
This panel will discuss some of the key trends and practical issues posed in financing in this new era of taxation in challenging economic times.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
Jun 25, 2021
The first part of this analysis encompasses the AI Act’s scope, as well as prohibited AI practices, AI systems needing higher level of transparency and those subject to voluntary compliance. The second part will be published in the next volume of the Technology Law eBulletin, and will concentrate on high-risk AI systems and the outlined set of requirements for them.
In this session reserved for in-house counsel, General Counsels and senior legal leaders from major luxury and fashion houses share their perspectives on the evolving role of legal departments. Topics include navigating digital transformation, managing cross-border regulatory complexity, balancing commercial agility with compliance, and building resilient legal teams. This candid conversation offers insights into how top maisons are structuring their legal functions to support business strategy while safeguarding brand integrity.
IBA European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference
Dec 01, 2021
Multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses have been used for many years, although the jurisprudence has taken time to develop in order to support their proper practical application.
The Arbitration Committee has launched a task force on uniform rules of privilege. This session will discuss the result of the works of the task force.
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
Aug 11, 2024
After a brief introduction of the six main topics and the corresponding moderators by the chairpersons, the auditorium was divided into a total of 12 tables, two tables with one moderator per topic. The moderators had each prepared their topic in advance with a list of questions so that the results of the two tables per topic were comparable. The results were then compared and summarised by the moderators after a discussion lasting around 30 minutes. The results thus obtained were then presented by the moderator teams for each topic.
- Pillar 2 and its impact on M&A transactions
- Taxation of cross-border mergers and continuations
- Spin-offs and demergers in the current tax environment
- Tax friction in M&A transactions (excise tax, stamp tax, VAT, etc)
13th Annual London Finance and Capital Markets Conference
Feb 06, 2025
This article builds on the discussion from the July 2024 edition of CLI regarding whether ‘acquihires’, such as Microsoft’s recruitment of Inflection AI’s staff, are a gap in European merger control. Since then, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reviewed and cleared Microsoft/Inflection, affirming that acquihires can in certain circumstances fall under UK merger control. Meanwhile, the Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision in Illumina/Grail has curtailed the jurisdiction of the European Commission under Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulation, complicating EU oversight of acquihires. As a result, scrutiny of such transactions will likely shift to individual Member States, with Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, for example, having already examined the Microsoft/Inflection case.
Regulatory matters consume more and more time of in-house legal teams. Just the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) means nearly every company will need to take into consideration regulatory constraints on its use, while the broader application of privacy protections or the proposed prompt payment regulation in the EU create regulatory regimes that affect every company subject to their jurisdiction. Similarly broad regulations have emerged in almost every part of the world. How are in-house teams coping with these changes and where can external counsel best provide valuable assistance?
IBA Annual Conference Mexico City 2024
Jan 31, 2024
This session explored the intricate legalities of digital assets. Key points of discussion included: the various types of digital assets and their implications in capital markets; the complex regulatory frameworks governing them; the innovative uses of blockchain in securities transactions; and real-world case studies of challenges and failures in the digital asset sector.
A webinar presented by the IBA Power Law Committee. 10 July 2020, 1300-1400 BST
Jul 28, 2025
The judges, while accepting that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law, ruled that the ‘acutely sensitive and political issue’ is ‘a matter for the executive, which is democratically accountable to parliament and ultimately to the electorate, not the courts.’
In the second part of the workshop, the results of the work of the table groups will be presented and briefly discussed.
7th Global Entrepreneurship Conference
Jan 19, 2022
New antitrust compliance issues in the digital economy have emerged in the past few years, and competition enforcement authorities have adopted different measures to respond in different jurisdictions. This webinar mainly discussed the current status quo, new updates, abuse of dominance in the digital economy and killer acquisitions from different jurisdictions.
In the second part of the workshop, the themes and results of the work of the breakout groups will briefly be presented and discussed.
7th Global Entrepreneurship Conference
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