All International articles
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NewsFinland and Sweden to join NATO
In a historic shift in their defence policies, Finland and Sweden will apply to join the NATO alliance, despite warnings from Russia. The accession of the two Nordic countries will expand the alliance’s mutual security pact at a crucial time. However, Turkey may present some hurdles along the way.
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Feature
Putin and Russia must answer for war crimes in Ukraine
Human life has little to no value to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his cronies. The widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity that continue to be perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine are a testament to this. Those responsible, including Putin himself, must be held to account, no matter ...
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News
Lessons from the Ukrainian cyber front
Russia’s cyberattacks on Ukraine in the lead-up to its invasion should be a wake-up call for Europe. The EU must quickly adopt the revised Network and Information Security (NIS2) Directive and improve its operational readiness.
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News
Commission publishes the proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence
On 23 February, the Commission published its proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (see also here). The aim of the proposed law is to encourage sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour and to apply human rights and environmental considerations in companies’ activities and corporate governance.
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News
The crime of ecocide - where are we and next steps
In this guest feature, Robert Bray of the European Law Institute (ELI) takes a deeper dive at what has been done so far to add ecocide as an international crime. The proposal to classify ecocide as an international crime is gathering consensus at international and European level. Stop Ecocide International ...
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Event
Ecocide: a new international crime?
The Brussels Office of the UK Law Societies held a webinar on ecocide as an international crime. The event took place on 24 February, 15:00 CET (14:00 UK) – 16:00 CET (15:00 UK). The webinar addressed questions such as how this new crime could help to reduce and prevent environmental ...
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News
IBA releases statement defending the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality
In January, the International Bar Association (IBA) released a statement defending the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality. The statement follows the recent attacks on the principle by UN High Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for Achieving the 2030 Agenda (UN FACTI Panel) and the OECD Global ...
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News
Key interventions and activities from the Law Society of England and Wales’ International Rule of Law Team
In this article, the Law Society of England and Wales’ international rule of law team provide some key interventions in relation to lawyers and fundamental rights in Belarus, Venezuela, and Tanzania. Additionally, the Law Society’s Capacity Building and International Women in Law programmes’ activities are highlighted.
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News
COP26 – what was agreed?
COP26 has recently come to a close (13 November 2021), allowing time to now digest what was agreed during the Conference and what this means for our aims of limiting global warming and tackling climate change regionally and internationally. This article introduces COP26 and provides a summary of key agreements ...
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News
Climate change and lawyers by Jonathan Goldsmith
Jonathan Goldsmith, Consultant in European and International Legal Services, Council Member of Law Society of England and Wales, Chair of IBA BIC’s International Trade in Legal Services Committee and Member of UK Delegation to the CCBE provides insight into what climate change means for the legal profession. This article discusses ...
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News
Supporting the Legal Profession in Afghanistan
Tony Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer and Partnership Member at Fisher Jones Greenwoods Solicitors and former Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales. In this Viewpoint article, Tony provides a succinct overview of the Law Societies of Europe and Bar Associations’ approach ...
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News
The role of international arbitration
In this article, we examine the role of arbitration as a dispute-resolution tool, the benefits it can provide to parties in dispute and its application at an international level.
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News
The Hague Judgments Convention: Simplified circulation of judgments in civil and commercial matters after all? By Professor Marta Pertegás
In The Hague and far beyond, the conclusion of the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (hereafter, “the Hague Judgments Convention”) in July 2019 was welcomed with a long deep sigh of satisfaction.
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News
Mediation opportunities and the Singapore Convention post-Brexit by Diana Wallis
Post-Brexit the UK no longer has access to the Brussels regime on the recognition and enforcement of cross-border judgments. Instead, Diana Wallis, Former European Law Institute President discusses the opportunities presented by the Singapore Convention as an alternative legal instrument that maintains enforceability.
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News
Private International Law - Key Features and Responsible Institutions
As the UK repositions itself on the international stage in the wake of Brexit, private international law has become a topic of discussion for many British lawyers. In this article, we examine the key elements of this important branch of law and take a look at some of its prominent ...
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News
Negotiating professional services in trade agreements
Deanna Easton of the Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN and WTO discusses the fine detail of negotiating professional services in trade negotiations. Professional services is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing export sectors. Through trade negotiations, Australia seeks to improve conditions for professional service providers to ...
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News
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement between New Zealand and Australia
Tracey Epps, senior adviser in the Trade Law Unit in the New Zealand’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs outlines the key characteristics of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA). The TTMRA was signed in 1996 between the Government of New Zealand and the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments within Australia. The ...
