The biggest international legal event of the year, the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, begins in Sydney this week with more than 4000 solicitors from around 110 jurisdictions around the world expected to attend.

Federal Attorney-General, the Honourable George Brandis QC, and Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC, spoke at the Opening Ceremony last night which marked the beginning of a week-long event including 200 sessions, workshops and panels with top experts on a range of topics.

President of The Law Society of NSW, Pauline Wright, said the IBA Conference will present unique opportunities for networking and getting the latest on issues of pressing relevance to practitioners in the legal industry.

The IBA Conference will not only delve into the most important developments in key areas of practice but also the most pressing questions facing the future of the legal profession, including technological disruption and innovation and the role of artificial intelligence in making access to justice more affordable and effective,” Ms Wright said.

Topics covered at the conference include:

• disruptive innovation
• data
• artificial intelligence
• technology
• LGBTI issues
• migration
• international security
• rule of law and terrorism
• climate change
• anti-corruption
• international transactions
• mergers and acquisitions, and much more.

Headlining speakers include human rights barrister, Geoffrey Robertson QC, and WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, as well as former High Court Justice Mary Gaudron, QC, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman, SC, former Prime Minister, John Howard, OM, AC, and new Australian Human Rights Commission President, Ros Croucher.

A range of fun social events will run across the week. The ‘Law Rocks’ competition will be held on Thursday night to benefit the IBA’s Human Rights Institute and The Smith Family. ‘Young Lawyers Night Out’ will also be held on Thursday at Marquee @ The Star.

The Law Society of NSW, Pauline Wright, will be speaking at the following sessions:

• “Justice: Access and Rights in Australia” (Thursday, 8 October at 8.00am)
• “IBA Academic Forum: The Regulators Perspective – What are the regulatory and ethical challenges of NewLaw?” (Friday, 9 October at 3:15pm)

The Law Society of NSW will host:

• “LAWASIA Foreign Direct Investment Conference – An opportunity to mingle with leaders in the legal profession in the Asia-Pacific region” (Monday, October 9 at 7:30am)
• “IBA Bar Breakfast” (Thursday, October 12 at 8.00am)

Law Council of Australia President, Fiona McLeod, will present at the following sessions:

• “Diversity and equality in the legal profession” (Monday, October 9 at 2.30pm)
• “Technology and the legal profession” (Tuesday, October 20 at 8.00am). Breakfast hosted by the French Bar. A second session “No Longer Brave New World” (Tuesday, October 20 at 2.30pm)
• “Migration, security and terrorism” (Wednesday, October 11 at 2.30pm)

Other sessions of interest include:

• “Women ‘firsts’ – How does international and domestic law help (or hinder) women to succeed in Australia and elsewhere?” (Monday, October 9 at 2:30pm)
• “Cybercrime and the media – Unexpected risks to clients, law firms and governments” (Tuesday, October 10 at 9:30am)
• “Keynote on data, disruptive innovation and the new digital world” (Wednesday, October 11 at 9:30am)
• “BIC Showcase: the balance between migration, international security, rule of law and terrorism – What bar associations can do to facilitate this conversation” (Wednesday, October 11 at 2pm)
• “SPPI Showcase: Given the rise of populist political movements across the world, what is the impact for global legal services and business lawyers?” (Thursday, October 12 at 9:30am)

How to attend?

Australian lawyers may attend a single day of the conference at the discounted Daily Delegate Rate of GBP350 (approximately $590).

Any Australian based delegate can access the Daily Delegate Rate by attending the Conference registration desk on the morning of the day they wish to attend.

Access the full IBA program here.

Where is the event being held?

Sydney International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour from October 9-13 2017.

Established in 1947, the International Bar Association (IBA) is the world’s leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies.