Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar, Amelia Clegg, Chair of the Young Bar, Phil Robertson and Natalie Darby from the Bar Council and I have been at the IBA in Copenhagen on behalf of the Bar. This is the largest association of lawyers globally and our engagement is both important for our profession and valued by the IBA. We are particularly significant because we represent one of eight referral bars globally, amongst a deluge of law firms.
Our objectives were simple:
- to engage in conference debates about the development of the legal profession and areas of law relevant to it; promote the Bar’s professional values and learn about developments and solutions to legal profession issues in other jurisdictions
- to promote the Bar to a global audience of some 7000 international practitioners
- to support our members attending the conference by providing networking opportunities
- to drive forward reform of the IBA to make it more focused on the development and defence of the independently regulated legal professions, develop more democratic and transparent governance structures and make conference attendance more affordable for our members
Whilst here, we have been promoting the services our members provide and how to instruct them, English law as the law of the contract and England as the place to settle disputes – whether by litigation or arbitration. We also engage with other organisations attending the conference such as the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), putting across our British perspective on issues concerning Eurpoe’s overarching legal professional body.
The threats and opportunities AI poses globally for lawyers and justice work was a huge focus for everyone at the conference. Kirsty spoke on panels about diversity in the legal profession as well as the role of referral lawyers in a time of polarisation and populism.
As importantly, we have held meetings with several Bar associations with whom we have mutual interests or growing connections. Following quickly after the Opening of the Legal Year in London, we have built on existing relationships as well as making new ones.
The IBA often attracts fascinating speakers. Highlights this year included sessions with the first female Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt (2011- to 2015), and a powerful discussion between the Ukrainian Ambassadors Andriy Kostin and Anton Korynevych, Thomas Lund-Sørensen, Denmark's ambassador to Ukraine and Mark Ellis, CEO of the IBA on the situation in Ukraine, the challenges of the withdrawal of US support, Putin’s strategy and the reasons for optimism. These conversations give IBA delegates the chance to hear (and question) those with unique insights into world issues.
Our former Chair, Sam Townend KC, is coming to the end of his time chairing the Forum for Barristers and Advocates committee which protects and promotes the interests of referral Bars. He chaired a panel on ‘the role of referral lawyers in a time of polarisation and populism’ discussing how to combat the rise on attacks on independent lawyers subject to the cab rank rule and the wrongful elision of the views of clients with those who represent them.
A big attraction of coming to an IBA conference is for barristers to meet others – whether they be local or overseas colleagues or by making new connections. The networking opportunities are broad and deep. We are working on making IBA conferences accessible to more barristers so everyone can take advantage of this vibrant, global organisation.
Next year’s main conference is in Singapore but there are many specialised practice conferences throughout the year through which barristers can forge excellent links and gain instructions.
Amanda Pinto KC is a former Chair of the Bar Council.