The IBA’s public law section launches new subcommittee

The IBA’s public law section on Monday formally launched its new subcommittee dedicated to issues faced by international organisations’ legal counsel.

The session which took place on the second day of the conference, explored the recommended agenda, structure and priorities of the newly-formed subcommittee; with significant input and suggestions from present and former legal counsel of international organisations who were in attendance.

The subcommittee is the new creation of the public law section and the OECD, and aims to provide an international platform for the exchange of ideas and dialogue on issues confronting legal directorates around the world.

Speaking at this meeting, session co-chair Christo Botha, of the University of Pretoria, South Africa noted the non-existence of an international forum that catered for lawyers in international organisations to discuss issues such as immunities and cross-border contracts.

Buttressing this point, session panelist, Yaara Alon of the OECD directorate for legal affairs stated that, “It could be very useful to have a forum with a good exchange on hot topics, and where appropriate, to think about collective and joint action on certain issues,”.

According to her, the understanding that international organisations share the same preoccupations underpins the subcommittee’s formation and operations going forward.

Earlier this year, the legal directorates of leading international organisations were asked to identify their key areas of concern and priorities. The issues that came up again for discussion include, privileges and immunities, governance, anti-bribery and fraud internet regulation and intellectual property, cloud computing and data protection.