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The IBA’s first live webcast of 2015 featured Viviane Reding MEP, former EU Vice-President and the first Commissioner responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, broadcast live from the European Parliament on 17 March.
AI 101 for the bar and bench
The IBA’s first live webcast of 2014 featured Michael Kirby, Chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea. The former Australian High Court judge discussed the findings of the report, his methods of inquiry and what steps can be taken to bring accountability for the gross human rights abuses perpetuated by the Pyongyang regime. He also gave views on the global ‘war on drugs’, his work with the Joint UN Programme on HIV and AIDS and efforts to get worldwide reform for anti-gay laws
Internationalisation seminar: helping lawyers access international legal market or expand their practice to foreign jurisdictions
Q&A session with the IBA's President and Executive Director
Litigating in the Asia Pacific Region
This webcast and audience Q&A with Paul Rawlinson, Global Chairman of Baker McKenzie, covered law firm strategy and culture, as well as topical issues such as the potential effects of Brexit and a Trump presidency
By invitation only: IBA Mid-Year Leadership meetings 2024
Aug 22, 2016
This webcast and audience Q&A with Funke Abimbola, General Counsel of Roche UK, explored the corporate compliance challenges facing the leading biotech company and the evolving role of in-house lawyers.
The interview examined the legal aspects of supporting Roche’s pharmaceutical R&D and healthcare strategies, addressing issues such as company operations, risk management, and diversity in the profession. The interview was conducted by the BBC's Sally Bundock.
All IBA officers of sections, committees and fora are invited to attend this Q&A session on how to be a successful officer, best-practices guides by fellow officers, and the opportunity to network with other committee officers.
By invitation only: IBA Mid-Year Leadership meetings 2025
The third IBA webcast of 2015 featured José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International (TI), and was broadcast live on 10 June. Ugaz is one of the world’s leading anti-corruption lawyers, During his time as Ad Hoc Attorney General of Peru, Ugaz prosecuted hundreds of government officials. He led the corruption case against the former President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
This session will take the form of an interactive roundtable, with each table hosted by a managing partner from a leading Latin American law firm. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the managing partners, gaining personal insights into their journeys to leadership and the skills, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
Topics to be discussed at each table include:
• navigating firm politics and partnership dynamics;
• building a personal brand and network within the region;
• leadership styles that resonate in Latin America;
• fostering diversity and inclusion at the top; and
• perspectives on preparing future firm leaders.
IBA Next Generation Legal Summit: Building your professional future in a changing world – a law firm management perspective
Jun 06, 2016
This webcast with Drago Kos, Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery, covered timely issues in anti-corruption, including relevant aspects emerging from the Panama Papers as the OECD commenced the 4th phase of review under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.
The webcast was conducted by Jonathan Rugman, Foreign Affairs Correspondent at UK broadcaster Channel 4.
Alison Taylor, a Clinical Associate Professor at the New York University Stern School of Business and Executive Director of Ethical Systems, recently published Higher Ground. In an interview with Nicola Bonucci, Alison will examine her acclaimed book’s main themes, including why running a business has become so complicated and how businesses can act responsibly in the modern world.
20th Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference
The second IBA webcast of 2015 featured James Palmer, Senior Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, and was broadcast live on 24 April. Discussion covered law firm management and strategy, and corporate governance among other themes.
Biennial IBA African Regional Forum Conference: future-proofing the African legal profession
Interview and Q&A with M Cherif Bassiouni, Chair, Bahrain Independent Commission Inquiry, at the IBA Annual Conference in Dubai. In discussion with Nick Clark of AlJazeera. Plus question and answer session
This session seeks to explore recent regulatory and enforcement trends in various markets around the world for securities law violations. Specifically, the panellists will discuss regulatory focus and recent developments, enforcement cases and securities litigation as well as trends in penalties or damages in recent years.
5th Asia-based International Financial Law Conference
Jan 24, 2023
Grace Perez-Navarro is Director of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Centre for Tax Policy and Administration. Here, she speaks to Global Insight about the key issues facing the OECD, from the implementation of its ‘Two Pillars’ tax reforms to ensuring that the interests of developing countries are protected.
An opportunity to discuss the appropriate standard against which conduct ought to be assessed, how that standard is changing and how to balance prices, innovation, quality, incentives to invest etc.
Competition Law in Africa Conference: regulatory developments and enforcement trends across the continent
Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was the interviewee for a wide-ranging IBA webcast and Q&A, broadcast on Friday 30 May 2014 as part of the IBA's webcast series.
A South African of Indian Tamil origin, Ms Pillay served as the first non-white female judge of the High Court of South Africa and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda before taking up her post at the UN in 2008.
One of the greatest threats to democracy in Latin America is no longer the old-fashioned coup. The new way to autocracy is more subtle, with lawfully elected leaders systematically eroding key safeguards to the separation of powers. They do so by chipping away at judicial independence, fair trial standards, electoral fairness, civic space, freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This is coupled with persistent and pervasive levels of corruption. It leads to governments stacking courts and undermining the autonomy of the judiciary, with the aim of limiting the checks on executive power.
Against this backdrop, the critical importance of a robust, independent judiciary cannot be overstated. A strong judiciary has proven to be a bulwark against democratic backsliding in many Latin American countries like Brazil, when the federal justice system upheld the electoral results in 2022; or Mexico, where the Supreme Court is resisting the government’s attempts to introduce unconstitutional reforms that would bolster executive power; or Guatemala, whose Constitutional Court ensured the transfer of power to the duly elected candidate Bernardo Arévalo, despite attempts to overturn the electoral result.
This session will explore the intricacies of a complex vision of the rule of law in Latin American countries. On one side, the pragmatic need to tackle the plagues of corruption and organised crime. On the other, the necessity to build a system of checks and balances with a specific focus on the role of judges and prosecutors.
IBA Annual Conference Mexico City 2024
Sep 14, 2022
‘Did you conduct an internal investigation at the time?’ This is how an investigating judge questioned our client during a first appearance hearing concerning 20 year-old facts.
This panel session will explore key policy and enforcement developments in digital markets across Africa. It will also focus on algorithmic collusion; artificial intelligence (AI); and abuses of dominance and AI in merger control. This session will discuss the theories of harm; recent cases; and how competition law might respond to these risks.
2nd IBA African Competition Law Conference
Feb 17, 2023
This article will outline the development of China’s restrictions on the cross-border transfer of personal information (PI export), detailing PI export mechanisms provided by the Personal Information Protection Law. It will also explain the practical implications of the restrictions.
The rise of digital nomads, satellite employees and Employers of Record (EORs) are reshaping the employment landscape. How can global employers best deal with the legal and managerial challenges related to people working from various jurisdictions? In this session we will consider the contractual solutions, employment rights, social security, immigration and tax implications that employers need to be aware of.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2024
Jan 13, 2025
The IBA’s Criminal Law Section (made up of the Criminal Law, Business Crime, Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Committees) has closed 2024 with another successful conference; this time in Mexico City, where around 5,000 delegates gathered to exchange ideas, discuss the latest hot topics in the legal world and – of course – experience Mexican food, music and culture (including a memorable trip to a Lucha Libre wrestling competition).
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has become an increasing focus for employers, employee representatives and applicants alike. This session will consider market practices regarding ESG, the importance of employers being aware of the impact and the potential fallout from ESG issues. We will examine the impact of ESG in the workplace; in particular, how ESG can impact an employer’s policies and an employee’s freedom of expression and how those issues can subsequently be balanced. We will also discuss whether and in what way the implementation of ESG in corporate culture, in the cooperation between employers, employees and employee representatives, and in the area of HR policies, helps to attract applicants and retain employees.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference
Jul 14, 2024
Over the course of 16–18 May this year, the IBA European Regional Forum Officers, Council Members and Advisory Board Members held their annual retreat in sunny Santorini under the hospitality of gracious host and colleague Panagiotis Drakopoulos and Drakopoulos law firm who ensured that the event, dubbed ‘THE BIG RETREAT’, went off without a hitch.
Next Gen Arbitration in Asia Pacific: Innovation, access, and legacy
Jan 27, 2025
A report on the panel session ‘To list, to sell or to flip to the US: sucessful exist methods in Europe’. Participants discussed recent challenges in the initial public offerings market, the ‘dual-track’ strategy and the role of legal advisors among other interesting points.
21st Annual IBA Anti-Corruption Conference

Jul 08, 2025
Mediation is on the rise internationally as a means to settle disputes in a cost-effective manner. Chinese parties appear to be increasingly interested in mediation as an option. This article examines the evolving landscape of mediation in China and internationally. It considers how mediation for Chinese parties is evolving and whether mediation is a good option for Chinese parties in cross-border disputes. Commercial mediation has seen remarkable growth, bolstered by a supportive PRC judicial system and legislative initiatives encouraging parties to find harmonious ways to resolve disputes. The article analyses the three primary types of mediation in China: people’s mediation, administrative mediation, and commercial mediation. It also looks at mediation rules and proceedings in common law jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. The article anecdotally considers the cultural elements, emphasising the Chinese parties’ preference for evaluative mediation styles as a reflection of civil law. Through case studies of international disputes involving Chinese and US parties, the article illustrates the practical dynamics of mediation involving Chinese parties and underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in international mediation. As Chinese parties continue to go global, mediation is emerging as an attractive option for efficient and cost-effective dispute resolution. This analysis assesses whether the promotion of mediation is yielding tangible outcomes and explores the future of mediation involving Chinese and foreign parties.
A dialogue between Andrea Appella and Professor Stefano Quintarelli.
The AI battlefields - How to navigate and overcome the legal challenges

Sep 27, 2023
The rise in popularity of generative artificial intelligence (‘generative AI’) has ignited the discussion on whether junior employees can be replaced by it. Some have gone to the extent of questioning whether professionals, such as lawyers, can also be replaced by generative AI. Is it wise to replace junior employees or lawyers with generative AI? What factors should be considered before deploying generative AI tools in your business? To consider these questions, we first need to understand the basic workings of generative AI and what it can offer. Fundamentally, AI is intelligence that is not biological. The general understanding is that machines will be ascribed with this intelligence. These machines have the ability to interpret, learn from and process external data in a way that is similar to the capabilities of the human mind. Generative AI is a type of AI program that generates content from a data set. It uses deep learning, a type of machine learning system that behaves like a neural network to simulate the functions of a human brain. In other words, it can mimic human intelligence by exhibiting analytical skills to create new content. Not only can generative AI be utilised in chatbot programs to create text, but it can also be used in programs that can create images, sound or videos. This article will consider two major forms of generative AI, in the context of risks to businesses: chatbots using generative pre-trained transformer technology programs; and image generating programs.
• How are athletes’ rights and duties taken into account in modern sport?
• Gender equality in sports today: is it the beginning of a new era?
• The fight against racism and violence and for integrity: the example of FIFA.
• The specifics of ethics in sports: tools and objectives.
• The fight against doping: an old fight looking for a better outcome today?
• Sport as a soft power: is it a political instrument to further peace?
• Sanctions in sports and international trade: are we talking about the same creatures?
The Laws of Sports: fast and furious or stable and reliable?
Nov 14, 2024
A session report from the joint session of the IBA Regional Fora at the IBA Annual Conference 2024 in Mexico City.
7th IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum Biennial Conference
Jan 12, 2024
On the afternoon of Thursday 2 November 2023, at the IBA Annual Conference in Paris, the European Regional Forum lead the organisation of the automotive session titled ‘The European automotive and mobility service industry: transformation and revolution’. Contrary to its title the panellists came from different areas of the world, including Europe, India, Mexico and South Korea. During the session, panellists discussed issues relating to data privacy, developments concerning autonomous vehicles, the future of electric vehicles and more.
Certain states and non-governmental organisations have voiced concerns about the use of international arbitration to resolve disputes involving complex environmental issues. Among the criticisms of investor–state arbitration is that arbitrators often fail to consider a state’s domestic and international obligations to safeguard the environment, sometimes even at the expense of the investors’ rights. Additionally, some jurisdictions in Asia have established arbitration-friendly legal frameworks, bolstering confidence for both Asian and non-Asian parties in selecting an arbitration seat. This Oxford-style panel will delve into these two issues. The house will provide some motions. One panellist will defend the motion and the other will rebut it.
• First motion: this house believes that the international arbitration legal framework is well-equipped to handle cases involving complex environmental issues.
• Second motion: ‘The Battle of Seats’ – this house believes that Asia-based seats will continue to increase in popularity in the coming decade.
IBA Arb40 Symposium: Salient issues in international arbitration
Nov 14, 2024
A session report from the diversity and inclusion session at the IBA Annual Conference in Mexico City.
The session will explore how the rules and practice of international trade are evolving, as reflected in the expanded use of trade defence tools such as trade remedies, safeguards, unilateral tariffs and countermeasures, the return of managed trade arrangements and the reordering of global trading blocs. The session will be practical and forward-looking; it will focus on what lawyers need to know to help clients structure their supply chains and the extent to which domestic courts and international institutions like the WTO can offer meaningful recourse to protect parties’ interests in rules-based trade.
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
Apr 23, 2025
The 5th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference, held on 26–27 March 2025, at Upside East in Munich, Germany, brought together industry leaders, experts and stakeholders to address the pressing challenges and opportunities within the automotive and mobility services sector. The conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on supply chain issues, the transition to electric vehicles, the role of artificial intelligence and the evolving regulatory frameworks impacting the automotive industry.
This session will discuss developments in the practice of litigation, including: (i) the landscape of disputes involving new currencies; (ii) disputes that create a conflict between the creditor and the shareholder; and (iii) the funding of disputes.
A review of emerging themes in ADR (2023 version)
Apr 23, 2025
We were happy to see 110 participants in Munich on 27 March, in the unique location of Upside East for a day of discussions concerning the very challenging times that the automotive industry is now facing. Attendees had a chance to ease into the conference at the welcome cocktail which took place the evening before and it was good to see many familiar faces showing that the conference is becoming a familiar item on the IBA calendar.
- Commercial arbitration: non-signatories sought to be joined, what limits are there?
- Sports arbitration: avoiding ‘forced arbitration’ for athletes
- Can we escape an arbitration agreement (vitiated consent,termination, etc)?
- Investment arbitration: issues of consent
25th Annual IBA Arbitration Day: 25 years together and now? Building the arbitration model for tomorrow
Jul 22, 2025
The International Bar Association’s (IBA) European Regional Forum brought the global fashion and luxury law community together in London for the 2025 edition of its highly anticipated European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference. Held on 15–16 May at the iconic OXO2 venue, the event drew over 100 attendees, including leading legal professionals, in-house counsel and industry experts, all eager to explore the latest legal and commercial trends shaping the fashion and luxury sectors. This article provides an overview of the conference.
14th Annual IBA Real Estate Investments Conference
Jul 18, 2023
A report of the 25th Transnational Crime Conference, held 3–5 May 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The role of the courts in arbitration: an Asia Pacific perspective
Jan 21, 2022
In rapid succession, a number of jurisdictions have moved away from focusing on antitrust enforcement to the proposed regulation of digital platforms. Ostensibly, the regulatory focus is about competition and potential concerns that traditional ex post enforcement may be ill-equipped to address the power of digital platforms. This article focuses on the realities of what platform regulation might mean, and how to better frame and structure the nature of appropriate regulation. This article first identifies a number of the different approaches to regulation that various jurisdictions have put forward, and then lays out six basic principles for platform regulation to help address some of the potential harms that such approaches may unwittingly be pursuing.
Whilst any lawyer will tell you that every M&A (mergers and acquisitions) transaction takes a course of its own due to its own individuality/sector, there are nevertheless a number of fundamental essentials which every M&A lawyer – whether newly qualified or otherwise – needs to know. During this session, our expert panellists will cover key topics which any newly qualified M&A legal professional can expect to encounter in their first years of legal practice, as well as sharing individual transaction challenges and successes.
The Fundamentals of International Legal Business Practice
Media coverage relating to the ongoing Gender Equality at the Top project, authored by the LPRU.
RuleOfLawFrom the outset of the pandemic, barristers and advocates recognised and were supportive of the attenuations to the justice system, which were necessary to ensure that justice could be delivered in the circumstances, which prevailed. In that context, it was accepted that remote hearings were necessary to ensure that system of justice continued to function. These remote hearings and other arrangements were however introduced as part of an emergency response. There was no time to gather any of the necessary stakeholder requirements nor to consult, design, test and implement a reformed system that would ensure these requirements were met in a sustainable manner. Against this background, it should not therefore come as a surprise to find that, for some, although the reforms that have been introduced have successfully avoided justice grinding to a standstill, they have not achieved the necessary or optimal levels of suitability or practicability and have arguably weakened adherence to some core principles of justice. Indeed in several areas the changes introduced have been regressive, limiting and jeopardizing access to justice and introducing impediments to the proper conduct of court proceedings.
This session will examine the benefits and drawbacks of the new ways conducting trails during the pandemic and try and assess their overall impact. Speakers will reflect a variety of different jurisdictions and perspectives
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
May 21, 2024
The 26th Transnational Crime Conference, which took place between 8–10 May 2024 in Milan, Italy, was a resounding success. In fact, it has become the most well-attended international criminal law conference in the IBA’s history!
7th IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum Biennial Conference
By Yi-An (Ann) Lai. Alipay and the impact of e-payment systems resulting in new regulations in China and other jurisdictions.
The legal world is facing a generational shift in expectations around work-life balance, purpose and firm culture. This session brings together law firm leaders who are rethinking how they hire, train, lead and retain talent. What’s working? What isn’t? And what do Gen Z lawyers really want?
Law Firm Management Committee Latin America Conference - Building the law firm of the future
This panel will discuss the impact of the change of leadership in the United States, Canada and Mexico, on the review of the North American’s free trade agreement (the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), scheduled in 2026. The previous revision introduced ground breaking changes, including the thorough supervision of labour standards at a company level. What will the next revision bring?
IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
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