Conference programme

Join us at the awards breakfast where the IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights, the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, and the IBA Pro Bono Award will be presented.

English Guided Tour:

Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, Mexico City

Join us for an exclusive English-guided tour of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, a rare opportunity for attendees of the IBA Mexico City 2024 conference. This unique experience will offer an in-depth exploration of the organization and configuration of the Mexican Supreme Court, providing insight into its pivotal role within the country's judicial system.

Tour Highlights:

•    Historical and Architectural Overview: Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of this iconic 20th-century building. Marvel at its design and learn about the significant events that have taken place within its walls.
•    Famous Library: Visit the renowned library, a treasure trove of legal literature and historical documents, and understand its importance in the judicial landscape of Mexico.
•    Art and Culture: Enjoy the magnificent murals by famous artists that adorn the halls of the Supreme Court. These artworks not only enhance the beauty of the building but also reflect Mexico's vibrant cultural heritage.
•    Interactive Experience: Engage with knowledgeable guides who will provide detailed explanations and answer your questions, enhancing your understanding of the Mexican judicial system.
•    Potential Greeting: If we are fortunate, we may have the honor of receiving a greeting from the President or Justices of the Mexican Supreme Court, adding a special touch to our visit.

Tour Details:
•    Duration: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
 

Content:
o    A comprehensive tour of the Supreme Court's headquarters, highlighting various significant spaces, murals by iconic artists, and statues of prominent jurists who have shaped the constitutional order of Mexico.
o    Insights into the functions and organization of the Supreme Court and its role within the broader Federal Judicial Power.
•    Limited Capacity: The tour is limited to 60 participants, ensuring an intimate and engaging experience.

Spaces are limited and are assigned on a first come first served basis. Registered conference delegates can register at the speaker registration desk and online during the annual conference.

We look forward to welcoming you to this enlightening and culturally enriching experience!

In-depth discussion of the Aeromexico Insolvency. A US Chapter 11 restructuring of a Mexican corporation. The panel will consist of professionals with first-hand knowledge about this restructuring.

The role of litigation in addressing climate change, including discussion of various types of litigation (eg, based in human rights law, corporate law, administrative law and investment law). The session will be covering the key litigation cases affecting this topic.

This session will address the evidence related to the condition of cargo in container transportation, and the difficulties in demonstrating the condition of the cargo at the commencement of transportation when goods are shipped in containers.

Bringing sovereigns to the table to resolve infrastructure disputes consensually. Despite the widespread recognition of the benefits of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in resolving infrastructure disputes, projects involving state entities have proved remarkably resistant to the possibilities. How might we craft dispute resolution processes and clauses so as to encourage sovereigns to negotiate and mediate disputes, thereby maximising value for public and private stakeholders and the wider community?

Financial fraud poses significant threats to the stability and transparency of economies worldwide. In this session, hosted by the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee, practitioners from around the world will discuss the changing landscape of financial fraud, the latest strategies deployed to prevent, detect and prosecute fraudulent activities, as well as compliance best practices.

Due diligence is crucial in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals. Nowadays, failure to properly address how diversity and inclusion (D&I) issues can have a detrimental impact on dealmaking. Are pay equity issues and D&I topics board-level responsibility? D&I is key to successful post-transaction employee integration and, ultimately, employee retention and engagement.

With India’s spectacular moon landing, the nation confidently marches towards a five trillion-dollar economy, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in high-growth sectors such as high tech engineering (ie, electric vehicles, semiconductors, defence), large scale infrastructure projects, as well as new age sectors such as Fintech, Edtech, Gaming, Agritech, Cleantech and financial services. India continues to liberalise its policies and relax administrative regulations for foreign investors. It has also implemented several legal reforms with the introduction of legislation such as the 2016 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the 2023 Telecommunication Act, the 2023 Mediation Act and the yet to be enforced December 2023 enactments modernising India’s criminal law legislation – all adding to make India a hot investment destination.

The gambling industry is constantly on the cutting edge of technology. Many analysts had considered that this industry would be the driving industry responsible for the mass adoption of blockchain technology. From fan tokens to general cryptocurrencies, is there a market for this type of currency? How will the web influence the gambling industry?
In the world of online gaming, crypto casino tokens have emerged as a revolutionary means of transaction. These digital tokens offer a multitude of benefits, including transparency, security and ease of use. Some jurisdictions are designing specific regulatory frameworks for gaming and gambling offers based on digital tokens. What are the risks and advantages of these evolutions?

Immigration in North-America is two-fold, the United States has the largest Mexican community outside of Mexico, but Mexico has the largest American community outside of the United States. Canada is also a haven for immigrants. This panel will explore the political and economic impacts of migration on the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  It will consider the impact of migration on several areas, including: (1) the labour market, (2) public finance, and (3) economic growth. It will also consider any political impact that may arise from these economic changes.

This session will dive into the latest trends and challenges in the European startup and venture capital scene and see how they compare to the developments and opportunities in North America and Latin America. We will hear from experienced VC lawyers and in-house counsels who have navigated international waters. They'll share real-world case studies and discuss deal terms and contracts typically used in the different regions. Whether you’re active in Europe or in America, this session will provide valuable insights.

Dynastic structures need constant adaptations not only to their environment, but also to accommodate for the aspirations of each generation. This session will examine how the responsible stewardship of wealth enters into that equation.

This session will examine the different litigation and mediation approaches and strategies in resolving shareholder disputes, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. The presentations and discussion at the session will consider the extent to which the two dispute resolution methods can be combined in the context of shareholder disputes to bring about an efficient resolution. Shareholder disputes may be uniquely suited to use of a combined method.

The IBA Guidelines on conflicts of interest in international arbitration have been a great success since their inception in 2004. In line with the tradition to revise the Guidelines every 10 years, an updated version has been published in 2024. The overall structure of the Guidelines has not changed, including the well-known traffic-light system of red, orange and green lists, which has become a worldwide norm. Nonetheless, the 2024 guidelines innovate in many respects. A group of experts will discuss the revision process, the changes made – as well as those discussed but eventually not retained. The panel will reflect on the continued usefulness of the Guidelines for international arbitrations around the globe.

Associates want more from the law firms they work for. It is not just about giving them a job and paying them high salaries, it is also about giving them purpose and making them feel they are working for a modern, forward-thinking institution that cares. What is the deal between associates and law firms? What can law firms reasonably expect from associates? And what can associates reasonably expect from law firms?

The world still faces unique challenges to ensure access to justice and protect human rights. Pro bono work has become a crucial tool in addressing these challenges by providing vital legal assistance to those who cannot afford it and by mobilising lawyers who can offer expertise in cases with potential widespread impact. The intersection of pro bono efforts, access to justice and human rights violation are complex and multifaceted. As such, the SPPI showcase intends to highlight this topic at our upcoming IBA Annual Conference.