Legal Policy & Research Unit
The IBA Legal Projects Director oversees the Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the Bar Issues Commission project lawyers. The team undertakes research, and develops and implements innovative strategies, projects and initiatives that are relevant to business and the rule of law, the global legal profession and the broader global community.
LPRU attends London Climate Action Week, in collaboration with the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Brazilian Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, with support from the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance & United Kingdom Environmental Law Association, June 2025
Sara Carnegie and George Artley at the IBA midyear meetings and Bar Leaders’ Conference, alongside Christina Blacklaws and IBA President Jaime Carey and his wife
George Artley contributed to a session at the 2025 OCED Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum
Anurag Bana with fellow panellists at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference in Malta
Anurag Bana speaking on a panel about AI and the Workplace at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Conference in Malta
Sara Carnegie speaking during the 2025 FATF Private Sector Collaborative Forum in Mumbai
Sara Carnegie attends the Commonwealth Lawyers Association conference in Malta
Flagship projects
Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Examining the professional role of lawyers as ethical gatekeepers within wider society and to help clarify their ethical responsibilities and obligations.
View projectRaising the Bar: Women in Law Project
The IBA’s multi-year project explores women’s representation at all levels of the profession, with a focus on senior positions, and the impact of workplace initiatives.
View projectClimate Crisis
The increase in global temperatures and rising sea levels represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to humanity and life on the planet.
View projectMental Wellbeing
The IBA has embarked on a global campaign to address the mental health crisis in the legal profession, bringing together research and resources from around the world.
View project
News and recent releases
Our areas of work
Select an area of work to see all relevant projects.
Digital Disruptive Innovation
Bar related project work
Future Trends and Focus
Business and Ethics
Reports
The LPRU have created and contributed to a number of legal reports, articles and guidance documents.
Legal Internship Programme
Intern positions are available for undergraduate law students, postgraduate law students, and newly qualified lawyers.
How to applyProject Proposal Process
Could your project benefit from the support of the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit?
Find out moreIn 2024 the LPRU:
Participated in over 40 global events
Won Gender Equality Initiative of the Year at the Women & Diversity in Law Awards
Attended five UN events
Founded a Climate Registry for bars
Published nine reports/articles
Contributed to five podcasts
External engagement
LPRU and UN Engagement in 2024
In 2024 the LPRU continued with its global engagement and advocacy on critical policy priorities including climate change, anti-corruption and legal ethics. Our commitment to amplify the IBA's voice on the international stage is evidenced in our multilateral interactions with the United Nations and affiliated organisations, including recent attendance at COP29 and CoSP.
Upcoming events
9-10
OCT
Emily Morison invited to attend Durham University's Just Transitions to a Net Zero World - Second Annual International Conference
Jointly convened by Durham University's Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy and the European Center of Just Transition Research and Impact-Driven Transfer at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the conference brings together academics, policymakers and practitioners to explore just transition pathways to Net Zero amid climate change, environmental destruction, biodiversity loss, geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and systemic inequities.
14
OCT
Sara Carnegie invited to speak at Law Society of Ireland Women in Law Event
Sara Carnegie joins leaders in law from across Ireland for this event, where discussions will focus on overcoming challenges, new opportunities and shaping a healthier, more sustainable culture in law. She will discuss her career to date, reflect on how the profession has changed, the challenges she has faced and the opportunities she has taken. She will also discuss the work of the IBA on gender equality, Raising the Bar: Women in Law Project, and mental wellbeing in the profession.
28-30
OCT
LPRU co-hosts anti-money laundering initiative in Cayman Islands
Sara Carnegie and George Artley travel to the Cayman Islands for the first in a series of anti-money laundering (AML) capacity building initiatives jointly convened by the IBA, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Specifically designed for the Caribbean Region, the training invites executive leadership of Professional Accountancy Organisations and Bar Associations, to come together in the fight against money laundering. Led by AML experts from the FATF and Caribbean FATF, IBA and IFAC, this event brings together the accountancy and legal professions in a unique learning environment with the aim of strengthening AML contributions in the region.
Recent events
9
OCT
LPRU supports webinar exploring ICJ and Inter-American Court of Human Rights' decisions on the climate crisis and human rights
The LPRU joins the IBA Business Human Rights Committee, the IBA Power Law Committee, the IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section (SEERIL), the IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum and the IBA African Regional Forum in supporting this webinar presented by the IBA Oil & Gas Committee. The webinar features legal practitioners from jurisdictions around the world to explore the corporate implications of recent landmark opinions from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the responsibilities of states in respect of the climate crisis and human rights. The webinar will feature insights from Africa, Australia, the EU, Latin America, North America and beyond. Register here.
7
OCT
LPRU supports sustainable finance webinar: Evolving frameworks for sustainable finance: regulatory and market trends across jurisdictions
The LPRU joins the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee in supporting a webinar presented by the IBA Banking & Financial Law Committee on sustainable finance transactions. The session explores how evolving ESG regulations – including amendments to the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, UK sustainable disclosure requirements and developments in other key jurisdictions – are influencing sustainable finance transactions. The panel bring legal perspectives from Africa, Luxembourg, Singapore, the UK and the US, highlighting regulatory divergence, liability risks and implementation challenges across markets. Register here.
29
SEP
LPRU supports webinar on the global impact of US corporate enforcement priorities
The LPRU joins the IBA Criminal Law Committee, the IBA Asset Recovery Committee, the IBA Business Crime Committee, and the IBA Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Expert Subcommittee of the Regulation of Lawyers Committee in supporting the first of two webinars on US enforcement and compliance, presented by the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee. This webinar - Understanding and reflecting on new US corporate enforcement priorities and their global impact - brings together leading experts to explore the global implications of the US Department of Justice's recently-adopted white-collar enforcement plan and updated guidance on investigations involving the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and their impact both in the US and across the world. Register here.
25
SEP
LPRU supports the webinar Environmental lawyers under threat: how can the legal community respond?
The LPRU joins the IBA Environment, Health & Safety Law Committee and the IBAHRI in supporting this webinar presented by the IBA Access to Justice Committee, the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the IBA Pro Bono Committee, about the threats, harassment and undue interference experienced by environmental lawyers around the world. Join experts to share experiences, explore challenges and understand the roles that bar associations, pro bono services and the broader legal profession can play in advocating for our colleagues as they work to safeguard the rule of law, protect fragile ecosystems and support marginalised communities most affected by environmental harm. Register here.