IBA Special
The 2017 Annual Conference of the International Bar Association (IBA), the largest gathering of international lawyers from all over the world has just ended in Sydney where several lawyers from Nigeria and various parts of the world gathered from October 8 – 13, 2017 to discuss virtually every aspect of law and justice. This week-long event had more than 200 working sessions covering all areas of practice relevant to international legal practitioners.
The Conference kicked off with the traditional opening ceremony on Sunday October 8, 2017 at the International Convention Centre Sydney Theatre with a showcase of Australian performances by the Sydney Lawyers Orchestra, Yantri & Gavi, Wuruniri Aboriginal dance group and the Australian Girls’ Choir. Addresses were given by President, Martin Šolc, President, International Bar Association, Susan Keifel AC, Chief Justice of Australia and Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, Attorney-General, Leader of the Government in the Senate.
In his welcome address, Martin Šolc, President of the IBA, had spoken of the opportunities for knowledge exchange at the IBA and the need to create and renew a global network of colleagues and business contacts.
Šolc stated that long-held cherished societal and legal values are being challenged in today’s difficult times. He pointed to the French example, where anti-terrorist laws that would give police sweeping powers to arrest and detain without due process are compromising the rule of law. He therefore called upon delegates to speak openly and all legal practitioners to remember their hallowed responsibilities.
“There will be exceptional showcase sessions presented by the LPD, SPPI, BIC and IBAHRI and the committee sessions will offer the chance to hear from the best experts in the field, benefiting all delegates, whichever your area of practice,”
In her address, the Chief Justice of Australia, Susan Kiefel touched on the issue of independence of lawyers, and declared that those practicing must be able “to exercise independent judgment and the ability to act free from external pressures.” While the Attorney General of Australia, Senator George Brandis, spoke on the need to uphold the current global order, pointing out that the institution of nation states is under peril, as the global order faces its existential threats.
He said, “Lawyers have a role to play, to ensure that those trends do not derail the rule of law. They must recognize their obligations to defending the pillars on which society itself is built, beyond their mere obligations to their clients. “Upholding the rule of law may involve …controversy, it may extend to the powerful, or to those thinking above the law, the marginalized or the despised. Lawyers who do so, serve the finest traditions of our profession.”
At IBA Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) showcase session, tagged “WOMEN FIRSTS” chaired by IBA Human Rights Institute co-chair Hans Corell, participants had examined laws which empowered or hindered the success of women across the globe. Speaking at this session, Baroness Helena Kennedy, made a case for women o stop self- deprecating, “Get into positions and make a difference,” she urged. While a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Hon. Mary Gaudron made critical observations on the pay gap between men and women all over the world. “It is time to about euphemisms and call it what it is: discrimination, pure and simply,” she stated emphatically.
Speaking at a session titled, Partnership – Time For A Change, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law, Olumide Akpata who was also at the conference spoke about sub-Saharan law firms and how getting into a partnerships was still the best way to go for a fulfilling and rewarding career in the practice of Law. He noted however, that there was an emerging appeal of younger practitioners to go for the option of “in-house Counsel” as an accelerated path towards Partnership.
“The desire for work-life balance and flexible career goals is also making many to choose the option of one-person Law Firm. Without a doubt, Partnerships will remain in the legal profession but perhaps not as we know it,” the business lawyer said.
Another session on Lawyer’s Duty Of Confidentiality – Handle With Care, awakened the consciousness of lawyer to the dangers of cyber-crimes, cyber attacks and the impact of electronic crime in a law firm. It addressed the leakage of private information into public hands and increasing government scrutiny, and the role of lawyers in maintaining confidentiality in the wake of cyber-crimes has come under the spotlight. The need for lawyers and Law firms to be adequately prepared for cyber- attacks before such eventuality happens was further highlighted at this session.
After the Opening Ceremony, delegates were taken on a boat from the International Conference Centre across the world famous Sydney Harbour to Luna Park, the venue for the Welcome Party. The Luna Park which is is at the foot of the Harbour Bridge offered conference delegates a stunning view of the Bridge, the Opera House and the Harbour itself. Was an awesome introduction to the most famous sights of Sydney. History has it that thePark was built in 1935 for the inhabitants of Sydney to celebrate the completion of the Harbour Bridge.
Throughout the evening conferees were taken on a journey through the richness of the outback to the beauty of Bondi Beach with true Australian performances and culinary experiences throughout.
The 2017 IBA Annual Conference in Sydney featured about 200 conference sessions. Most of these sessions organised by substantive committees cut across virtually every sector and practice area known to law.
The IBA Annual Conference attracts many distinguished speakers who in recent years have included: Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary- General; Jose Maria Aznar, former President of Spain; José Manuel Barroso, former European Commission President; Fatou Bensouda, International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor; Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Secretary-General of NATO and Prime Minister of Denmark; Jeh Johnson, former United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2011-2017); Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Loretta E Lynch, former Attorney General of the United States (2011-2017); Robert S Mueller III, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and General Colin L Powell, former US Secretary of State.
As part of conference social events, Law Rocks! a series of ‘battle of the bands’ style rock concerts in which law professionals battle it out on stage for charity at legendary music concert took place at the Metro Theatre Sydney. The event, which dates back London, 2009 has held in various venues around the world, with the first IBA edition taking place at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston in 2013.
IBA CONFERENCE FEEDBACK
“The opportunity to rub minds and share ideas with members of the bar from across the world is always a welcome privilege and I particularly relished this year’s edition of IBA conference.
This year’s IBA reinforced my position that the Nigerian bar is one of the most vibrant bar associations in the world with tremendous capacity and potentials.
As a marketplace of ideas, Nigerian bar ranks most favourably with other bar associations around the world. One of the foremost roles of bar associations worldwide is the defence and promotion of the rule of law and the NBA has been carrying that flag creditably well. It has distinguished itself as the voice
-PAUL USORO, SAN
Founding Partner, Paul Usoro & Co
Excerpts from the IBA Press Updates.