Conference programme

A discussion on the developing challenges and initiatives in the regulation and ethics of the independent referral bar around the world. This session will address topics including artificial intelligence and technological developments, use of social media, strategic lawsuit against public participations, navigating intergenerational challenges. Whatever area of practice you are in, in this interactive session, our panel will explore approaches to common ethical dilemmas in the legal profession. 

The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) develops international conventions that harmonise rules of civil procedure and facilitate the cross-border recognition and enforcement of judgments. The IBA Litigation Committee has observer status at the HCCH and provides input from the practitioners’ perspective. 

This session provides an overview of the key treaties that should be in any international litigator’s toolbox, including the 1965 Service Convention, the 1970 Evidence Convention, the 2005 Choice of Courts Convention and 2019 Judgments Convention, and discusses selected issues in the relevant fields. We will also provide an insider’s perspective on the status of current negotiations for new conventions.

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

This breakfast session will discuss the latest hot-topics in law firm management.

A breakfast meeting of the IBA Power 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.

As more in-house lawyers demand remote or hybrid work environments, how does the structure of the legal function change? Can law firms profit from the shift away from an expectation that a company's lawyers will be located and interacting in fixed physical locations? Will the rise of the “fractional GC” and other types of non-traditional legal service providers become more embedded in the legal services ecosystem?

Some of the challenges that will be discussed include:

• Preserving confidentiality;
• recruiting, training, and mentoring;
• are remote lawyers more subject to burnout?;
• maintaining productivity without intrusive measures;
• sustaining the culture of the company and the legal department;
• are remote lawyers at risk of being phased out in favour of seconded law firm lawyers or other external resources?;
• how can law firms position themselves to provide the flexible, dedicated legal resources companies need?

Many Law Societies have a "fit and proper" character test for admission to the profession but its application varies considerably in many jurisdictions. Some only apply it at admission stage but others require compliance through your career. In this session we will discuss the appropriateness of the test and what factors countries take into consideration. 

This panel will explore the challenges and opportunities of business combinations of profit-driven and purpose-driven companies, examining the key legal issues, and the implications on compliance and corporate governance.

This session will discuss the green transition, more urgent than ever, creates various challenges of which financing the enormous investment amounts needs is one of the more prominent ones. Also, in addition to requiring large sums, the repeated access needed to capital for long term investments poses unique challenges for traditional financing instruments.

This panel will identify and discuss how (and how not to) contract for innovative projects. Discussions will reflect draft wording to deal with the fact that the technology may be prototype, unproven or being developed through construction. For example, what constitutes “state of the art” or “good industry practice” in a rapidly developing technological world? What kind of warranties will owners expect the market to be prepared to provide for innovative technology?  And what new procurement models will the construction industry be adopting now and in the coming years? Or is the old adage “there is nothing new under the sun” still applicable today?

This joint session is intended to be a dialogue between judges and arbitrators on the topic of the seeming trend of reconsideration and remissions of awards from the bench back to tribunals.

The panel would explore the latest global enforcement trends in the fight against cybercrime.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies like deep fakes are revolutionising the creative landscape, enabling the creation of highly realistic synthetic images, videos, and audio. As these technologies become more prevalent, regulators and unions are stepping in to protect consumers and artists from potential misuse. This panel will explore namely the EU's AI Act, but also other global responses, as for example the guidelines from the US Screen Actors Guild, examining how various sectors are addressing these emerging challenges. The panel will feature legal counsel from different regions and sectors, along with industry representatives who are at the forefront of implementing regulations and guidelines for deep fakes.  

Digital nomads are on the rise and in order to benefit from this new phenomenon, companies need to address the many associated challenges: employment law, visa issues, taxation, etc. The session aims to give useful insights from all of these view angles and to shed light on this somehow untangible phenomenon.

The section-wide session of the Law and Individual Rights Section, where we will discuss the complexities around the issue of end of life decision making.

This session will address the evolving landscape of product liability in the wake of rapid technological advancements, with a particular focus on product innovation and the 'Internet of Things' (“IoT).” The integration of advanced technologies into products has introduced new layers of risk and complexity, calling for a reassessment of traditional liability frameworks. Key areas of impact include software and firmware updates and the growth of artificial intelligence, which can alter a product's performance and raise questions about post-sale modifications; autonomous systems like self-driving cars and drones that shift liability considerations from human error to algorithmic failures; and cybersecurity, where the increasing interconnectedness of devices necessitates robust security measures and clear liability demarcations.

Furthermore, a new evolution of product categories are integrating technology, such as software as medical devices and wearables, impacting the assessment of product liability in multiple sectors. The session will include a cross-jurisdictional perspective, including case studies illustrating how courts and policymakers have handled liability issues in matters involving advanced technologies, how manufacturers are implementing technology into new products within regulated frameworks, and consideration of evolving international legal standards.

The panel will explore the increasing challenges of protecting your Internet Protocol (IP) and not falling foul of advertising standards in an environment where access to products and services is limitless. Representatives from the brands and the sustainability sector will debate the challenges faced in a more visible on-line marketplace, particularly:  

• Upcycling and the increasing trend to reuse or upcycle luxury goods. As a brand should you be objecting to such reuse or does it help satisfy sustainability goals to reuse material?
• Green claims / greenwashing will also be addressed in the context substantiating green claims.

We intend to explore the human rights impacts of both petty and grand corruption, including civil, political, economic, and social rights.

This session will discuss the ideal size of different business service groups.

This panel will discuss the complexities of leasing and financing in the aviation industry.