Conference programme

This panel will focus on how legal services can help all players involved in the organisation of a multinational World Cup. The discussion will bring attention to legal and business aspects related to the organisation of such a big and unique event that for the first time will be hosted in three different countries: Mexico, Canada and the USA.

This session will take a deep dive into the differences, if any, between the approach to advocacy for both dispute resolution methods

This session is intended for those in management, and/or those handling claims against law firms and lawyers, to consider:-

1.    Practical aspects of managing risk – what are the sources of liability for solicitors and legal professionals (e.g. negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, confidentiality breaches)

-    common causes of professional negligence claims:-

o    missed deadlines (e.g. limitation periods)
o    poor communication or advice
o    errors in drafting
o    failure to follow client instructions
o    conflicts of interest and failure to clearly identify who the firm is acting for

-    impact of liability on the firm (reputational, financial, regulatory)

2.    Mitigating risk through technology

-    document automation and error reduction

-    practice management systems for:-

o    key date tracking
o    time recording
o    file audits and workflows
o    client identification and conflict checks

-    use of AI for due diligence, contract review and client onboarding (KYC/AML)

-    cyber-security and data protection tools

-    risk of data breaches as a liability issue

-    risk of over-reliance on technology – need for human oversight

3.    The role of insurance coverage – overview of professional indemnity insurance

-    what does it cover and what are the limits/exclusions?

-    the importance of accurate proposal submissions

-    the claims process – what to do if something goes wrong

-    cyber-liability insurance is a growing necessity

4.    Training and culture
-    building a risk-aware culture within the firm

-    regular CPD and legal updates for all staff

-    supervision structures

-    encouraging early reporting of potential issues and near-misses

-    the role of knowledge management in reducing avoidable errors

This session will cover recent examples of public entities reaching out to the private sector for asset recovery: is it working and what have been the surprising results?

This session will explore the role of voluntary bars and assessment of purposes, including balancing the interests of lawyers as a profession and broader issues relating to their role in society.

This panel will discuss

a) unique and particular structuring considerations relevant to outbound Canadian pension plan investment and;

b) inbound regimes and advantages, whether embedded in domestic law or extended under treaties, for investment by 'Sovereign Wealth Funds' in various jurisdictions.

The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business presents both opportunities and challenges for corporations committed to respecting human rights. For example, while AI can enhance workplace safety and improve supply chain integrity, it also risks promoting discrimination and compromising employee privacy. This session will provide guidance to corporate lawyers to help clients avoid human rights pitfalls and harness AI as a force for good.

This session will explore the role of shareholders in M&A transactions.

What are the universal themes in the diverse justice systems and do they hold us together? Do laws such as laws from the East, Sharia law, customary law, Roman and common law solve universal problems in similar ways? What moral or legal force do they have?

The IBA Arbitration Committee has embarked upon a project to review privilege laws and practices around the world, with a view to discussing whether they can be harmonised so as to develop international standards for applying privilege in international arbitration.

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.

Join us for a Business Human Rights Committee breakfast meeting to discuss the increasing connectivity between human rights, the environment, and other legal practice areas.
Our lead speakers will provide initial insights, followed by an open roundtable discussion where participants can share their thoughts and experiences.

A breakfast meeting of the IBA Family Law Committee will take place to discuss matters of interest and future activities, as well as to provide updates on the activities of the Committee.

The session will address how Artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the different areas of practice and industries that relate to SEERIL.

Why do some class action regimes work very effectively, and others fail miserably? This panel will examine why this happens, and specifically what could be done to ensure that the best features were imported into a model that could work well everywhere, making class actions a more successful means of redress globally. Our expert panelists will review the best and worst features of class action regimes in various jurisdictions, to help explain what reforms might be necessary, and how to build a better global class action model.

In this session we will discuss and give updates regarding digital platform regulation, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and more.

European cybersecurity regulation has been put in force in Europe recently and is evolving quickly. This session will present an overview of recent developments in cybersecurity regulation and its management level impact on a global scale, including Europe, Asia Pacific, and the U.S./Canada. This session will also address the latest technological developments around cyber security, such as quantum computing, and whether these developments are beneficial or threatening for cybersecurity.

How can law firms be conduits of professional ethics? As compared to the roles of law societies and bar associations;  

Requiring agents or local counsel firms to also act ethically;  

Should law firms have a duty to ensure that their lawyers act ethically?;

In certain jurisdictions, young lawyers and new firms are getting suspended or disbarred. What’s happening here?;

Does being a sole practitioner create more risks because of lack of training or firm oversight?;

Does having been trained in a different jurisdiction create issues when you start practising in another jurisdiction?;

And involve young and older lawyers and get their respective perspectives.  

As India progresses towards becoming a trillion-dollar economy, a key pillar of this growth is the development of infrastructure to support such expansion.

The session will focus on the following key areas:

• India's commitment to energy transition;
• advancements in the transport and logistics sector;
• the implications for international companies managing contracts in large projects;
• managing disputes throughout the lifecycle of projects.

This session will bring together seasoned legal practitioners, both Indian and non-Indian, and will also invite key funding agencies based in Canada to provide their perspectives.