IBA publishes first legal agenda for 2023—2028

Article summary

The International Bar Association (IBA) has published its first legal agenda which identifies the key challenges facing the legal profession from 2023 to 2028. The agenda was constructed using information gathered at meetings held in London and New York in June 2023, attendees at the meetings included former IBA presidents, David Rivkin and Michael Reynolds, as well as representatives from leading international and national law firms and inhouse counsel. The agenda items were selected from three perspectives: substantive law developments, issues faced by the legal profession, and legal issues affecting society in general. The agenda covers seven key areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI); environmental, social and governance issues; client and mandate acceptance; talent attraction and retention; public perception of the profession; delivering legal advice across multiple jurisdictions; and promoting and defending the rule of law. The IBA has asserted that AI was consistently identified as the most important issue in terms of all three perspectives taken, with particular concern being...