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 team, new and old, on their away day at Norton Rose Fulbright, December 2024.
Emily Morison is joined by panellists following the IBA co-hosted side event Beyond national frameworks: Lawyers & law associations enhancing ambition through legal approaches at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Sara Carnegie speaking on the panel: Partnering to Fight Economic Crime: Looking Ahead to 2025-2030 at the IFAC Ordinary Council Meeting in Paris, November 2024.
Sara Carnegie chairs a panel discussion at the session Spotlight on the role of the legal profession: principles, problems and future projection at the IBA’s Annual Conference in Mexico.
George Artley attended the BIC Retreat in Japan.
The Legal Policy & Research Unit and IBA won awards for Gender Equality Initiative of the Year and Highly Commended for Not for Profit Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Women and Diversity in Law Awards
The Legal Policy & Research Unit and IBA won awards for Gender Equality Initiative of the Year and Highly Commended for Not for Profit Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Women and Diversity in Law Awards
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 project50:50 by 2030 Gender Project
The IBA ‘50:50 by 2030’ nine-year project aims to uncover the root-causes of the lack of gender parity at the most senior levels of the legal profession.
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 2022-2023 the LPRU:
Participated in over 40 events – in person and online
Drafted 7 reports
Contributed to at least 12 published articles
Recorded 4 podcasts
Won several legal industry awards, including Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year and Gender Equality Initiative of the Year
External engagement
LPRU and UN Engagement in 2023
In 2023 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 COP28 and CoSP.
Read newsletterUpcoming events
4-5
MAR
Anurag Bana attends Hague Conference on Private International Law
Anurag Bana travels to The Hague where he will participate in the 2025 Council on General Affairs and Policy Meeting of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). Discussions will focus on possible new legislative instruments relating to parentage/surrogacy, jurisdiction, Central Bank Digital Currencies, digital economy, and international commercial, digital and financial law.
7
MAR
Phase 2 of 50:50 by 2030 Project launched at Empowering Women webinar
The IBA marks the launch of phase 2 of its 50:50 by 2030 Gender Project with its 'Empowering Women' webinar. Phase 2 comprises a global survey seeking views from women in the legal profession about a variety of topics, including their experience as lawyers, engaging with workplace initiatives and their impact, barriers to practice, reasons for staying/leaving the profession, as well as career satisfaction and the impact of menopause and family or other caring responsibilities on their career.
8
MAR
LPRU launches Inspirational Women podcast series
To mark International Women's Day the IBA launches its podcast series 'Inspirational Women'. In this new series Sara Carnegie and Isla Tobin interview IBA members and colleagues about their interesting career paths and personal stories, inspiring listeners and providing fascinating insights into the life and work of female colleagues from around the world. Episodes will be released in the week running up to International Women's Day on 8 March and over the following weeks. Guests will be announced shortly.
12
MAR
Anurag Bana attends LawTech conference in London
LPRU's Anurag Bana attends the UK Lawtech Conference, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and GREAT Legal Services at Mansion House. UK lawtech is showcased on a global stage, alongside Government speakers, investors and thought leaders. Tickets are free - click here to apply.
13
MAR
Anurag Bana invited to All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence (APPG AI) event at Parliament
Anurag Bana will attend the event "From Digital Entropy to Digital Responsibility: The Future of Digital Policy and the Importance of Professionalisation" followed by an evening reception at the House of Lords. The reception will bring together digital law and policy leaders to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and discuss the future of digital responsibility.
18
MAR
Sara Carnegie speaks at Spotlight on Corruption and APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax event
Sara Carnegie speaks at this event co-hosted by Spotlight on Corruption and the APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, moderated by Joe Powell MP. The event will contribute to the launch of two important bodies of work in this area – the report by the IBE Taskforce on Business Ethics and a GI ACE academic project based on research by Tena Prelec exploring the contested interpretation of lawyers as facilitators of kleptocracy and grand corruption. Debate will focus on the role of lawyers as professional enablers, highlighting the relevance of these issues for parliamentarians, policymakers, regulators, law enforcement officials and the legal sector itself.
25
MAR
George Artley attends 2025 Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum
George Artley travels to Paris to attend the OECD 2025 Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, where he will present the findings of a new IBA report on the effects of corruption on the legal profession. Part of OECD Integrity Week, the session, titled Ethics in Action: Lawyers as Guardians Against Corruption, brings together OECD representatives and lawyers in corporate practice to explore the profession’s pivotal role in addressing corruption amid rising global challenges. The panel will delve into ongoing efforts, share practical insights, and outline proposed next steps to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks.
25-27
MAR
Sara Carnegie attends the FATF Private Sector Collaborative Forum in Mumbai
Sara Carnegie travels to India for the 2025 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Private Sector Collaborative Forum (PSCF) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Focus areas include financial inclusion, payment transparency and anti-money laundering. Planning is underway for a capacity building workshop in June 2025.
Recent events
19
FEB
LPRU supports Session 5 of the IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme: Climate change, nature and just transition
The IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme is a free, specialised online ESG training focused on legal practitioners across Africa, convened by the IBA African Regional Forum, and supported by Webber Wentzel, the IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section, the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the LPRU. Session 5 of the programme, ‘Climate change, nature and just transition’, explores the risks and opportunities that the transition to a low carbon economy presents for African businesses, and trends shaping regional and international legal developments in climate change, nature and the just transition. The session features legal experts operating across Angola, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and beyond. Register here. Watch Session 1: Introduction to ESG here, Session 2: ESG disclosures, reporting and due diligence here, Session 3: ESG litigation and dispute resolution trends here and Session 4: Sustainable Finance here.
10
FEB
Sara Carnegie speaks at Westminster Legal Policy Forum
Sara Carnegie joins Westminster Legal Policy Forum for its keynote seminar: Next steps for equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Discussion will focus on the latest thinking on the way forward for improving representation of those with protected characteristics, assessing the current shape of diversity in the legal profession, and what can be learned for the future from notable initiatives, best practice and those with lived experience. Stakeholders and policymakers will discuss retention and progression to increase the visible diversity in senior legal roles, looking at effective, evidence-based EDI practices to foster genuine inclusion. Book here.
6
FEB
Emily Morison attends roundtable on Nature, Climate & Land: International Law & Public Policy
Hosted by the Climate Law and Governance Initiative (CLGI) this roundtable event brings together leading academics, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how recent international legal and policy developments, including COP outcomes, are shaping action on climate change, biodiversity, and land governance. Register here.
4-5
FEB
Sara Carnegie and Emily Morison attend BHRLA Conference in London
LPRU's Sara Carnegie and Emily Morison attend the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association Conference Navigating Change: Shifting Legal Expectations for Corporate Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence and the Role of Commercial Counsel. The event is hosted by Mayer Brown and participants will explore the shifting legal and regulatory expectations for corporate human rights and environmental due diligence and the role of commercial lawyers. Register here.
29
JAN
LPRU supports Session 4 of the IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme: Sustainable Finance
The IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme is a free, specialised online ESG training focused on legal practitioners across Africa, convened by the IBA African Regional Forum, and supported by Webber Wentzel, the IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section, the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the LPRU. Session 4, 'Sustainable finance', explores key developments in sustainable finance across Africa, including major players in the sustainable finance movement, drivers of ESG integration by financial institutions and lenders, different types of sustainable finance models, and international and domestic carbon markets. The session will feature case studies highlighting transactional and regulatory developments in a number of countries in the jurisdiction. Register here. Watch Session 1: Introduction to ESG here, Session 2: ESG disclosures, reporting and due diligence here and Session 3: ESG litigation and dispute resolution trends here.
15
JAN
Anurag Bana attends reception hosted by SIFoCC: London and the Rule of Law; Commerce and the Economy; Transactions and Dispute Resolution
At the invitation of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC), Anurag Bana joins colleagues from the financial, corporate and insurance sectors, General Counsel, the judiciary, law firms and the Bar, academia and major pro bono charities, at a reception focused on the centrality of law and dispute resolution to commerce and the economy, nationally and internationally. The event will include a report on the latest Full Meeting of SIFoCC attended by the judiciaries of a majority of G20 nations and many emerging market jurisdictions.
13
DEC
Anurag Bana attends UNCTAD event on AI Governance for Public Good
Anurag Bana attends this online event co-hosted by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on the rapid advancement of AI and the need for appropriate governance. AI is transforming different sectors and changing the way we work, interact and live, but without appropriate governance, its benefits may not be realized equitably, and its development could pose societal risks. This event aims to deepen understanding of AI governance and policy while exploring potential collaboration between the United Nations and academic institutions.
4
DEC
LPRU supports Session 3 of the IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme: ESG litigation and dispute resolution trends
The IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme is a specialised online ESG training focused on legal practitioners across Africa, convened by the IBA African Regional Forum, and supported by Webber Wentzel, the IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section, the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the LPRU. Session 3 explores key themes and trends in ESG litigation and dispute resolution globally and across Africa. Featuring case studies from different African jurisdictions, this session will consider the rise of stakeholder expectations and shareholder activism on ESG issues, leading to precedent-setting ESG litigation challenging the reputations and operations of corporations; challenges seeking to expand corporate liability and directors’ duties in respect of ESG issues; greenwashing disputes; climate change litigation trends; ESG class actions; and the rise of alternative dispute resolution fora including arbitration to resolve ESG disputes. Register here. Watch Session 1 here.
3
DEC
LPRU supports Launch of the 50:50 by 2030 Report on Gender Representation in Senior Positions in the Legal Profession
The LPRU will support IBA President Almudena Arpón de Mendívil and the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation at an in-person event in London to launch the Interim Report for the IBA’s 50:50 by 2030 Project, and hear insights from senior and emerging female leaders in the legal profession. Sara Carnegie will present interim findings from the 50:50 by 2030 Project to date, including data from the 12 jurisdictions completed and the next phase of the project to commence in 2025. Find more information on the agenda, speakers and how to register for this free event, here.