The biggest international legal event of the year, the International Bar Association Annual Conference, begins in Sydney on Monday with more than 4000 solicitors from around 110 jurisdictions around the world expected to attend.

Federal Attorney-General, the Honourable George Brandis QC and High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC will speak at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday October 8 marking the beginning of a week-long event including around 200 outstanding sessions, workshops and panels with top experts on a plethora of topics. 

President of The Law Society of NSW Pauline Wright said the IBA Conference will present unique opportunities for networking and getting the latest on issues of pressing relevance to practitioners in the legal industry. 

"The IBA Conference will not only delve into the most important developments in key areas of practice but also the most pressing questions facing the future of the legal profession, including technological disruption and innovation and the role of artificial intelligence in making access to justice more affordable and effective," Ms Wright said. 

Among topics covered at the conference will be: disruptive innovation, data, artificial intelligence, technology, LGBTI issues, migration, international security, the rule of law and terrorism, climate change, anti-corruption, international transactions, mergers and acquisitions and many more.

Headlining speakers include human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson QC and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as well as former High Court judge Mary Gaudron, QC, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman, SC, former prime minister, John Howard, OM, AC, and new Australian Human Rights Commission president Ros Croucher. 

There is a also a fun range of social events including the Law Rocks competition on the Thursday night, benefiting the IBA's Human Rights Institute and The Smith Family. 

Ms Wright will be speaking at important sessions for Australian lawyers including: 

• Justice: Access and Rights in Australia (Thursday, 8 October at 8am)
• IBA Academic Forum: The Regulators Perspective – what are the regulatory and ethical challenges of NewLaw? (Friday, 9 October at 3:15pm)

The Law Society of NSW is also hosting: 

• The LAWASIA Foreign Direct Investment Conference – an opportunity to mingle with the leadership of the legal profession across Asia-Pacific (Monday, October 9 at 7:30am)
• IBA Bar Breakfast (Thursday, October 12 at 8am)

Law Council of Australia President Fiona McLeod will present at:

• Diversity and equality in the legal profession (Monday, October 9 at 2.30pm)
• Technology and the legal profession (Tuesday, October 20 at 8am Breakfast hosted by the French Bar and again at 2.30pm - The No Longer Brave New World session).
• Migration, security and terrorism (Wednesday, October 11 at 2.30pm)

Australian lawyers can attend a single day of the conference at the discounted Daily Delegate Rate of GBP350 (approximately $590). Any Australian based delegate can access the Daily Delegate Rate by attending the Conference registration desk on the morning of the day they wish to attend. 

Media can register and access the full IBA program here. 

Details: The IBA Conference is being held at the Sydney International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour runs from October 9-13. 

Some other key events include: 

• Women 'firsts' - how does international and domestic law help (or hinder) women to succeed in Australia and elsewhere? (Monday, October 9 at 2:30pm)
• Cybercrime and the media - explores unexpected risks to clients, law firms and governments (Tuesday, October 10 at 9:30am)
• Keynote on data, disruptive innovation and the new digital world (Wednesday, October 11 at 9:30am)
• BIC Showcase: the balance between migration, international security, rule of law and terrorism – what bar associations can do to facilitate this conversation (Wednesday, October 11 at 2pm)
• SPPI Showcase: Given the rise of populist political movements across the world, what is the impact for global legal services and business lawyers? (Thursday, October 12 at 9:30am)

The International Bar Association (IBA), established in 1947, is the world's leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies.

IBA Media Contact (including to arrange interviews with speakers):

Romana St. Matthew - Daniel

Press Office | International Bar Association | London

Mobile (UK): +44 (0)7940 731 915

Direct Line (UK): +44 (0)20 7842 0094

E-mail: romana.daniel@int-bar.org

E-mail: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org

Website: www.ibanet.org