Conference programme

Your members naturally have differing individual allegiances ranging across your nation’s party political spectrum. But shouldn’t all lawyers support increased investment in the legal system, the courts and access to justice? Some Bars and law societies now publish ‘manifestos’ at election time urging their various proposals for reform of the law and the legal system. 

We live in a political era increasingly characterised by polarisation of views, populism, disinformation, discourtesy, intolerance of difference and binary, extreme, ‘us-and-them’ divisions. Human rights, the rule of law and democracy itself are at risk in an election atmosphere hostile to evidence-based, respectful and balanced debate. Crucial decisions are being taken in this ‘global year of elections’. How can the independent voice, expertise and value-system of the legal profession play an appropriate role, in the public interest, at election time?

Topics will include:

1. Update on recent global developments concerning international trade in legal services 
2. Legal ethics and the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Project: BIC perspectives 
3. Wellbeing in the legal profession: the role of bars and law societies in tackling the crisis 
4. How to improve bar and law society engagement with the work of the IBA 
5. What should bars and law societies be doing about the Climate Crisis?
6. Who speaks for the bar? Presidents, executive leadership, or its members? 

As part of the IBA presidential task force on artificial intelligence, the Bar Issues Commission is tasked with reviewing the impact on regulatory and ethical rules regarding lawyers. Several jurisdictions have already issued guidelines and best practice commentaries relating to the professional conduct of lawyers. The panel will provide a cross section of comparative responses by bars and regulatory authorities to artificial intelligence, and feature speakers from across the spectrum of IBA entities involved with the task force. The session will be interactive so that attendees may also provide input on their bar activities.

Topics will include:

1. Update on recent global developments concerning international trade in legal services 
2. Legal ethics and the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Project: BIC perspectives 
3. Wellbeing in the legal profession: the role of bars and law societies in tackling the crisis 
4. How to improve bar and law society engagement with the work of the IBA 
5. What should bars and law societies be doing about the Climate Crisis?
6. Who speaks for the bar? Presidents, executive leadership, or its members? 

It is a bedrock democratic principle that the legal profession must be independent of the state. But what about the manner in which the legal profession and legal services are regulated? What exactly does it mean to be independent from the state and where does accountability lie? In places where “self-regulation” has been unchallenged for years, governments have taken a closer look and asked whether the governance models for the legal services sector ought to change. Policy drivers have included the need to address fair competition, effective and independent complaints handling and increased access to justice– all with a view to fostering public confidence in the system of regulation of the legal services sector. And so, the need for good governance and independence need to be balanced. Can they be, and if so, how? 
 
In this interactive session, we will hear from bar leaders in jurisdictions whose systems of governance have been or are in the process of being reviewed by the state and learn how they are dealing with change or the prospect of change. Bar leaders everywhere should take note as real or perceived threats to independence may also present opportunities to improve how bars and law societies do their work.
 

Topics will include:

1. Update on recent global developments concerning international trade in legal services 
2. Legal ethics and the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Project: BIC perspectives 
3. Wellbeing in the legal profession: the role of bars and law societies in tackling the crisis 
4. How to improve bar and law society engagement with the work of the IBA 
5. What should bars and law societies be doing about the Climate Crisis?
6. Who speaks for the bar? Presidents, executive leadership, or its members?