International Bar Association

1 December 2025 at 18h15–19h45, the IBA and partners will host a side event in The Hague at the 24th Session of the Assembly of States Parties: 'Accountability for the Crime of Aggression against #Ukraine'. IBA's Dr Mark Ellis and Kate Orlovsky participating.
#ASP25

@ibahagueoffice.bsky.social

Rule of law: UK parliamentary committee speaks out against personal attacks on judges In November the UK’s House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report on the rule of law, arguing that legislators and the media should refrain from launching personal attacks on judges. While...

In November the UK’s House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report on the rule of law, arguing that legislators and the media should refrain from launching personal attacks on judges.
www.ibanet.org/UK-parliamen...

In a Joint Urgent Appeal to the UN, IBA-founded eyeWitness to Atrocities and ICON have documented a grave violation of rights and ongoing violence in #Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The organisations call for immediate action as threats intensify.

Read: www.ibanet.org/UN-warned-of...

Rule of law: Milei election win raises questions over US interference It was a victory that surpassed all expectations. Javier Milei’s party La Libertad Avanza won nearly 41 per cent of the vote in Argentina’s recent legislative elections, marking the first time a rulin...

It was a victory that surpassed all expectations. Javier Milei’s party La Libertad Avanza won nearly 41 per cent of the vote in Argentina’s recent legislative elections, marking the first time a ruling party has won a midterm election in the country since 2017.
www.ibanet.org/Rule-of-law-...

Artificial intelligence: courts weigh in on clash with creatives over copyright Recent court judgments are helping to define the legal boundaries for AI training and intellectual property (IP) rights.

Recent court rulings have started to define the legal boundaries for AI training and the intellectual property rights of the creative industries. The rulings have raised the question of whether a balance can be struck between the needs of the two sectors.

www.ibanet.org/Artificial-i...

IBA Bar Issues Commission Officer, #lawyer Fiona McLeod, talks to Legal Women UK about her professional journey across nearly four decades and her conviction that #law must serve the public good.

Read the inspirational women in law feature on p. 52-53: issuu.com/benham/docs/...

US presidency: fears for freedom of expression after Charlie Kirk killing Even before President Trump threatened to sue the BBC for a billion dollars, there were serious concerns that he and his allies are using government power and regulatory threats to suppress free speec...

Even before President Trump threatened to sue the BBC for a billion dollars, there were serious concerns that he and his allies are using government power and regulatory threats to suppress free speech and the media.

www.ibanet.org/US-presidenc...

the implications around holding those responsible for the crime accountable; trials in absentia; lifting immunity protections for high-level political and military leaders; President #Trump’s disengagement from international justice mechanisms; and US exceptionalism.

#law

In an extensive interview, Dr Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association, discusses the urgency of establishing the #Ukraine Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression following #Russia's invasion and...1/2

LISTEN: asymmetricalhaircuts.com/episodes/jus...

Imbi Jürgen, Estonian Bar Association President and CCBE Vice-President is featured in the November issue of Legal Women. She discusses her journey from post-Soviet #Estonia to European #legal leadership.

Read (p. 46-47): issuu.com/benham/docs/...

Photo credit: Jake Farra

In a new book addressing the conflict in #Ukraine and the #legal accountability of #Russia, IBA Executive Director, Dr Mark Ellis, has contributed a chapter titled 'Investigating and Documenting War Crimes in Ukraine'.

For details regarding the book: www.routledge.com/Ukraine-and-...

IBA extends congratulations to its Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Forum, Dinesh Dhillon, on the appointment as President of the Law Society of Singapore – an IBA Group Member Organisation since 1970 – for the 2026 term.

Read: www.ibanet.org/IBA-congratu...

IBA Secretary-General, Deborah Enix-Ross, talks to Legal Women UK for a series of interviews with inspirational women in #law, about her legal journey and 'lifting as you climb' by creating opportunities for women and #younglawyers.

Read (p.50-51): issuu.com/benham/docs/...

Nigeria’s Oluwafunke Adeoye wins 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Nigerian human rights lawyer Oluwafunke (funke) Adeoye is the recipient of the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for demonstrating a remarkable blend of le...

(4/4) so that all communities, particularly those marginalised or unheard, can rely on the promise of justice.’

Read: www.ibanet.org/Nigerias-Olu...

(3/4) As someone with lived experience of what happens when systems of justice and the rule of law fail, this award carries a deeper meaning for me. It underscores the urgency of building legal institutions that are fair and accessible, not only locally but also globally...

(2/4) It represents every young lawyer who believes that, despite the state of our world, the law remains a critical tool for transformation. For me, the award reaffirms that the world is watching and that ethical, innovative, and people-centred lawyering matters.

(1/4) I am profoundly honoured to receive the 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. This recognition strengthens my commitment to contributing to a legal profession that truly serves people and societies.

The recipient of the 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, Oluwafunke (funke) Adeoye, who attended the presentation at the IBA Annual Conference in Toronto, said in her acceptance speech:

Singapore: Arfat Selvam has won the 2025 IBA Pro Bono Award Arfat Selvam is the recipient of the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Pro Bono Award. She is honoured for her extraordinary dedication to pro bono service and access to justice. A highly respe...

Read: www.ibanet.org/Singapore-Ar...

(3/3) I would like to end by encouraging every lawyer to embrace pro bono. Find an area that you are passionate in, the community that you can help and give it your all. The impact that you will make is immense. The rewards are far greater than any fees or accolades that you may earn.'

(2/3) I am also humbled to be in the company of so many distinguished lawyers before me who have used their professional skills to make this world a better place. This award to me is a renewed commitment for me to continue this work for positive change.

(1/3) 'It is an incredible honour to receive the International Bar Association Pro Bono Award for this year. The world today is a challenging place, but we are capable of meeting that challenge and we should do it. I am most grateful to the IBA and to its Pro Bono Committee for this recognition.

The 2025 IBA Pro Bono Award winner, Arfat Selvam, was unable to attend the presentation. Instead, she sent a video addressing those gathered. In it she remarked:

📢 #Internship Opportunity Alert!

International Bar Association #TheHague office is accepting applications for its International Criminal Court & International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme.

📌The full vacancy can be found here: www.ibanet.org/legal-intern...

#IBAToronto - watch the Opening Ceremony, Showcases, Conversation with... sessions and more from the IBA Annual Conference 2025, held from 2-7 November in #Toronto, #Canada.

For the highlights: tinyurl.com/58hju6er

Egyptian lawyer Hoda Abdel-Moneim honoured with the 2025 IBA Human Rights Award The recipient of the IBA Human Rights Award 2025, Hoda Abdel-Moneim, is recognised for the defence of the rights of women and children in Egypt.

Read: www.ibanet.org/Egyptian-law...

(3/3) You can write about them on social media, send letters to decision makers and show that you reject these practices against them. May we soon celebrate my mother’s freedom, and the freedom of all political prisoners.’

(2/3) I thank you all for your support and I ask everyone who hears me today to raise my mother’s case and the cases of all the human rights defenders who face the same fate and risk.

(1/3) ‘On behalf of my mother, I am honoured to accept this award, hoping it will be a step towards her freedom and the message that defending human rights should be rewarded, not punished.

The 2025 IBA Human Rights Award winner, Hoda Abdel-Moneim, was unable to receive the Award in person as she remains unjustly imprisoned in Egypt. Her daughter, Gehad Badawy, accepted the award on her behalf. She said: