Conference programme

This session will explore the achievements and challenges faced by the International Bar Association's Professional Wellbeing Commission over the five years since work on the field of lawyer wellbeing at a global level was begun within the International Bar Association. Where are we now on our journey? What still needs to be done? And what are our plans for the future?

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

This session will cover the intracacies of advising private equity in franchise transactions.

Individuals and companies establish offshore trusts for reasons including privacy, tax optimisation, estate planning and asset protection. But when push comes to shove, do these structures survive judicial scrutiny? This session will look at whether major onshore jurisdictions honour offshore trust structures, including examination of scenarios in which such structures have been disregarded, pierced or annulled.

Beyond rhetoric, our panel of globally-renowned, erudite speakers shall examine and evaluate the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all ramifications with a view to enhancing its mechanisms and bolstering its impact positively and ubiquitously within and outside the International Bar Associaiton.

This panel will explore how, across the world, corporations are facing the criminal impact of wrong ESG policies, such as greenwashing, false “environmental” balance sheets, consumer fraud, etc., where and how these issues amount to criminal offences, and what every criminal lawyer should know to best advise clients.

This panel will cover the evolution of the insurance coverages in the maritime industry with a particular focus on environmental aspects.

This session will explore how mechanisation and digitalisation affects the labour force, particularly in transitional economies, and how to advise clients on labour issues, on displacement, and the implications on agricultural production.

Join this session to understand how the use of AI could amplify the outcomes of pro bono projects.

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

The panel will explore the relationship between the commercial success of law firms and risk management, but with a particular emphasis on exploring some of the aspects of lawyers’ personalities which give rise to both risks and opportunities. Scientific research by Dr Larry Richard, whom we propose to invite to join the panel, shows that lawyers display various outlying personality traits, such as low resilience and high levels of scepticism. Many risks for law firms, including financial mismanagement, ethical breaches, poor client service and well-being issues start with human behaviour and at the root of almost all commercial risks is a person’s mindset. Understanding and developing programmes and policies to take account of this is key to successful law firm culture and ultimately drives commercial success, leads to improvements in well-being and fosters and inclusive environment. 

A free and uncensored press is a vital aspect of the fundamental right to free expression. The independent media hold governments to account, facilitate the enjoyment of other fundamental freedoms, and shed light on matters of public interest. The role of the media is vital for democracy and facilitating the public’s right to know. And yet, the profession of journalism is becoming more dangerous and even deadly in more countries throughout the globe. Globally, over the last two decades, more than 2000 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. Harassment, intimidation and attacks against journalists and the media has increased worldwide and is seeping into more “democratic” societies as rhetoric against the media has become more amplified and commonplace.

The cycle of harassment oftentimes begins online (and is disproportionately directed at female journalists), but more and more, it moves into the courtroom through judicial harassment aimed at silencing or bankrupting the journalist or media, and the ultimate increasing physical attacks and killings are occurring without accountability. Compounding the problem is the fact that human rights defenders, including lawyers, are the subject of attacks themselves.

Despite numerous important initiatives at the international, regional, and national level, a culture of impunity reigns supreme. In this environment, the role of lawyers and the rule of law is more important than ever, and we must work together to fend against this multi-prong effort to kill the news and its vital role in preserving democracies. 

The ownership and operational structure of closely held companies provides opportunities for value creation and growth. At the same time, such structures create situations where the interests of various stakeholders in closely held companies may diverge. Closely held companies may need to take a different path to listed companies when resolving the legal and relationship issues that arise from such conflicts, and the stakes can be particularly high when factors such as control, family dynamics or the strategic direction of the business are at play. 

This session will offer practical tips on how to advise closely held companies when stakeholders’ interests may diverge, including:

• Navigating the dynamics between majority and minority shareholders, and related fiduciary duty considerations;
• advising the company in family disputes and stalemate/deadlock situations;
• balancing family interests against outside investor interests, and other unique considerations for family businesses;
• balancing trust with express legal rights and obligations in closely held company articles/organisational documents or other documentation;
• compensation considerations for founders, executives and other employees; and
• change of control / exit transactions.