Conference programme

Forum shopping in insolvency proceedings—where debtors choose jurisdictions with favourable laws has sparked significant debate. Central to this is the Centre of Main Interests (COMI), which determines jurisdiction based on where the debtor regularly administers their interests.

Recent critiques highlight COMI's flaws, including inflexibility, susceptibility to manipulation, and uncertainty. Our experienced panellists will discuss recent and high-profile cross-border case law involving COMI, the strategies developed by stakeholders, and their impact on related restructuring and insolvency matters. They will also evaluate whether alternative concepts to COMI, as used by relevant courts, offer credible solutions or if they warrant criticism.

Whilst investigative journalists have often been instrumental in exposing cases of serious corruption, there are also many instances where this has not been the case. If individuals or businesses take action to protect their reputation from journalistic accusation, they are often accused of trying to ‘silence’ the media— is this a fair situation? Is the law positioned to, or capable of, adequately addressing these issues? Alternatively, does the law inhibit an open and free press, and are the impacts of investigative journalism overstated? The role of whistleblowers.

Is the situation in women’s boxing during the last Olympic Games a case of discrimination and harassment of female athletes, or are the allegations justified measures aimed at levelling the playing field in sports competition? This panel will also cover other current issues relating to women in sports and the associated legal implications: income (especially, how to accelerate equality), maternity, sexism, trolling.  

Mining is one of the most relevant industries in several Latin American countries. Over the recent years, regulations have increased and deals have become more sophisticated. Investments in the region need to deal with heavier regulatory requirements and increased competition. This panel will address some of the legal trends of the mining industry in the region considering energy transition aspects, the need of rare minerals, artificial intelligence, global climate effects and geopolitical concerns.

This session will focus on the IBA's ongoing and planned anti-corruption capacity building efforts, in collaboration with the International Federation of Accountants, and experts at the FATF. Come along to see how you can get involved in bespoke regional training events, and how the professions and other stakeholders are coming together to maximise the impact of these events. 

In this panel discussion we look at the growing role in non-bank financial institutions such as tech companies, credit funds, asset managers and insurers are playing in providing credit to the real economy and the financial sector. The panel will consider both opportunities and challenges this poses for the financial markets, including the impact it has on traditional players, how it might change both the mix of debt and the attractiveness of debt that is available (both private debt and public capital markets), and whether the rise of these alternative financiers poses a threat to financial stability. 

This panel will review the significant intensification of the use of trade remedies and measures globally, and the diminishing influence of the the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its rules on WTO members’ actions.

An open committee business meeting where all members and Officers are invited to learn more about the current and upcoming activities and developments of the Committee.

An open meeting of the Professional Ethics Committee where committee members and those interested in joining the committee, are invited to learn more about the extensive activities of the committee, provide feedback and collaborate about new ideas and initiatives

Can restructuring tools really save corporate entities, and if they can, at what price to the junior creditors? 
This panel will consider a number of different restructuring tools in a number of different jurisdictions and consider:

•    the use of reverse vesting orders;
•    how are assets transferred and liabilities compromised?;
•    the involvement of the courts;
•    the increasing use of cross cram down powers in restructuring plans;
•    how courts approach the sharing of the restructuring surplus;
•    treatment of “ out of the money” creditors;
•    treatment of junior creditors who object to restructuring proposals.

The panel will have speakers from a number of jurisdictions including Canada, South Korea, England, and the Netherlands who will comment on the restructuring tools in their jurisdictions.

It is believed that around 10% of practicing lawyers globally are also involved in academia – whether as part-time lecturers or active researchers. This dual role brings unique challenges and opportunities. It is of particular interest to the Canadian market. This session will explore how legal professionals can balance their practice with teaching and academic work, highlighting the mutual benefits between academic insights and legal practice.

This session will be exploring Canadian pension funds in the corporate M&A sector.

With more vigorous enforcement at least in some parts of the world, what are the considerations for disclosing cartel conduct to regulators and filing for leniency? Are the increase of leniency programmes across the world and the proliferation of private damages actions in many jurisdictions affecting the cost-benefit analysis when deciding to file for leniency? What are regulators doing to uncover cartels ex officio (whistleblowing, active monitoring including using software tools) and are they pushing the boundaries of what constitutes cartel conduct such as indirect information exchange? 

This panel will explore artificial intelligence, and the impact it has on production and sale of hydrocarbons.

Climate change agenda and the increasing risk of natural disasters are becoming a relevant driver of infrastructure development public policies. In some jurisdictions, regulatory reforms are aiming at fostering higher climate resilience and adaptability in infrastructure projects and, on the preventive side, establishing decarbonisation goals. What are the different angles and approaches? How will these changes affect how projects are designed, built and operated? This session will discuss this. 

Artificial Intelligence offers massive potential as well as significant implications for increasing inequality. As a result, issues such as inclusivity and equitable access must be on the AI agenda. This session will review latest trends and developments in AI from a diversity and inclusion perspective, as well as relevant case law.

This session will discuss: are foreign workers sufficiently protected against dismissal in relation to national workers?  What about social rights, if they are taking leave or fall ill, or a salary cut for unpaid leave, will that impact on their visa? If so, does that constitute discrimination? Is it compliant with worker’s protection laws? This on all levels, i.e. blue collar workers and HSM’s alike.

This session will be a global update on gender quotas, and specically, do we need them to adjust gender imbalance in leadership?