Conference programme

Lawyers today stand at a critical intersection of ethical responsibility, public obligation, and civic perception. While professional codes of conduct define a lawyer’s duty to their client, increasingly complex public law obligations—such as anti-money laundering laws and tax compliance regimes—demand transparency, accountability, and sometimes even disclosure that may seem at odds with client confidentiality. Meanwhile, public discourse can paint lawyers as enablers of systemic issues, creating further tension between the profession and the society it serves.

This panel brings together leaders from bar associations, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and academics from around the world to explore how the legal profession can maintain integrity and independence while addressing growing external demands and societal scepticism. How can bars uphold core legal principles while responding to the mandates of bodies like the FATF, UN, and OECD? Should ethical training be continuous and mandatory throughout a lawyer’s career? And what can bars do to engage more effectively in civic education, correct misconceptions, and build constructive dialogues with regulators and the public?

Join us for a solutions-focused discussion on the evolving role of the lawyer—and the role bar associations must play in safeguarding the rule of law, fostering trust, and preparing the profession for the challenges ahead.
 

Topics will include: 

1. Bar associations and the climate crisis 
2. Anti-corruption initiatives: global challenges and guidance for bars 
3. How to engage young lawyers with the bar 
4. Diversity and Inclusion: shifting trends and priorities? 
5. Bar governance: responding to changing demands 
6. Business and human rights for bars 

Topics will include: 

1. Bar associations and the climate crisis 
2. Anti-corruption initiatives: global challenges and guidance for bars 
3. How to engage young lawyers with the bar 
4. Diversity and Inclusion: shifting trends and priorities? 
5. Bar governance: responding to changing demands 
6. Business and human rights for bars 

Many bar associations have human rights entities as components. Who sets the policy for the bar? What levels of autonomy do such entities have? Importantly, organized bars are often looked to by government actors for guidance on international law issues and conventions. With the release from the UN 6th Committee of the draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention, Bars as representatives and voices of the legal community have an opportunity to help shape international human rights law. This is of concern to not only public interest lawyers but commercial lawyers as well, since increasing hard law concerning human rights is developing from soft law instruments. The IBA’s own BHR Guidance for Bar Associations will also be discussed as part of this debate.

‘Sustainability’ permeates political, legal, economic and social discourse. It covers environmental monitoring, business and human rights, reporting and compliance and other governance issues, among other things. Lawyers are called upon to navigate not just legal advice but also provide context for that advice. This panel will explore the role of the lawyer, and the type of guidance, tool kits or other resources that Bars can and should be providing. To illustrate this, the session will also include discussion of the new IBA Bar Issues Commission roundtable on bar association and law society climate initiatives: implementation and inspiration post-event report. 

Topics: 

1. Bar Associations and The Climate Crisis 
2. Anti-Corruption Initiatives: Global Challenges and Guidance for Bars 
3. How to Engage Young Lawyers with the Bar? 
4. Diversity and Inclusion: Shifting Trends and Priorities? 
5. Bar Governance: Responding to Changing Demands 
6. Business and Human Rights for Bars