The Gazette 1993

APRIL 1993

GAZETTE

International Bar Association - Annual Report 1992

Seminar in April in Washington DC. 235 delegates from 44 countries - the greatest number ever represented at a SERL Seminar - attended. In addition, 18 other specialist seminars were organised by the Sections worldwide on topics such as Banking, Telecommunications, the Environment and Franchising. 19 are planned for 1993. Details of 1993 Conferences and Seminars are available from the IBA. Human Rights

1975, is considered a 'must' for those working in the energy field. The three Sections publish regular journals sent free to members and 17 books written by their members were

Membership

Membership of the IBA now numbers 142 Bar Associations and Law Societies worldwide and 15,100 individual lawyers from 163 countries. The IBA is more than four times larger than any other international organisation of lawyers.

published by the IBA in 1992, available at a discount to all members. Conferences

The IBA's Three Sections

There was a record attendance of over 2,800 lawyers from 103 countries including more than 800 speakers and over 950 guests at the Association's 24th Biennial Conference in Cannes in September, 1992.

Section on Business Law (SBL)

The membership of the SBL stands at over 11,500 lawyers from 140 countries and it has 28 committees and 71 subcommittees. The majority of committees publish regular newsletters. Many committees also have active links with other international bodies such as the UN and the EC and a number have formed regional groups holding local meetings and preparing analyses and reports on local developments of international interest. This section largely deals with areas of law and practice in the non- business area and has a membership of 2,800. There are 23 committees which include committees on Human Rights, Professional Ethics, Legal Aid and Legal Education and these are closely involved in the IBA's Programme to assist lawyers in the developing world. Most committees publish newsletters. SERL has six specialised committees and a number of active regional groups, particularly in the UK and Germany. Through its Academic Advisory Group, SERL maintains close link with institutes all over the world. Attendance at SERL's advanced biennial seminars, which have been held every two years since Sectionon General Practice (SGP) Section on Energy & Natural Resources Law (SERL)

The IBA Action Plan for Human

Rights was adopted by the Council in Lisbon in May where President Mario Soares of Portugal gave the Second George Seward Lecture on the theme of human rights. The plan provides for a Trial Observers Corps (observers were sent to trials in Indonesia and Kenya during the year), a register of members willing to go on human rights inspection missions and the appointment of Human Rights Liaison Officers to work with the IBA Human Rights Committee by the 142 Bar Associations and Law Societies belonging to the IBA.

All 57 specialist committees of the Association's three Sections held one or two-day meetings of topical relevance to most areas of legal practice. Numerous social events offered opportunities to create and strengthen friendships and make personal contracts with lawyers from all over the world. The 1993 Conferences of the Sections on Business Law and General Practice will be held on 10-15 October, 1993 in New Orleans.

SERL held its Tenth Advanced