On 15-19 June 2016 the first IBA Europe-Caucasus-Asia Forum (IBA ECA Forum 2016) was successfully held in Kyiv (15-17 June) and Lviv (18-19 June), bringing together over 100 legal profession leaders from 27 countries!

The Forum was devoted to a number of important issues and global trends affecting the legal profession: law firm management and innovation in law practice, lobbying services, women in legal profession, impact of outsourcing services on legal practice, development of regional infrastructure and new industries that affect the region's economy as well as the access of small and medium-sized businesses to investment treaty arbitration. To read the full programme of the IBA ECA Forum please follow the link.

Mr Martin `olc, Vice President of the IBA, who, together with Dr Irina Paliashvili, were the driving force of the Forum, addressed the delegates emphasizing the importance of communication between lawyers from different countries and their joint discussion of the strategic issues that the ECA region faces in the legal practice.

Carrying on the long-lasting tradition, along with intense work program, the Forum offered to its delegates a fantastic cultural program with a number of networking and local cultural events in Kiev and Lviv.  In particular, the delegates attended the National Sports Complex "Olimpiyskiy" and the art exhibitions, followed by a fashion show by young Ukrainian designers, at the famous art and historical centre – Art Arsenal.

Those who attended the Lviv part of the Forum, enjoyed the extensive discussion on the regional development, the dynamic atmosphere of modern Lviv, the incredible beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and the exquisite taste of the Ukrainian cuisine!

The IBA ECA Forum has evolved from the CIS Local Counsel Forum, which has a ten-year track record of  successful platform provision for the leading lawyers, professional media, government officials and other participants interested in the development of legal practice in the ECA region.  It has now naturally extended its geography to the neighbouring countries to become a linchpin between Asia and Europe along the lines of the new Silk Road Transfer of the ECA Forum to the IBA. It signifies a timely and important achievement, both for the ECA legal community and for the IBA because the ECA region covers a new vast area on the IBA global map, and the IBA in turn provides a global platform for the ECA legal community, fostering cooperation and dialogue across borders.

With the support of IBA, the Forum has a strong potential to evolve into a platform not only for bringing up new great ideas, but also for turning them into real projects which make a difference. The eye-opening discussions and innovative proposals that were made at the Forum prove such potential. A cheerful and open atmosphere at the Opening and Closing Gala Dinners in Kyiv and Lviv has verified that the Forum retains its informal name as a "dancing Forum"!

The Co-Chairs of the Forum would like to thank all of the attendees and express special thanks to the Local Organising Committee and to the Hosting law firms in Ukraine – Arzinger and Sayenko Kharenko – for making this event such a success!

Video and photos from the IBA ECA Forum are coming soon!

We look forward to seeing you at the next Forum in 2017!

Conference Co-Chairs

Szymon Kubiak
Partner, Wardynski & Partners, Warsaw, IBA European Regional Forum Co-Chair

Yuriy Pustovit
Partner, Advocates Bureau Yug, Krasnodar

Alexander Schwarz
Partner, Gleiss Lutz, Düsseldorf, IBA European Regional Forum Co-Chair

Lana Sinichkina
Partner, Arzinger, Kyiv, Head of the IBA ECA Forum 2016 Host Committee

Valikhan Shaikenov
Partner, AEQUITAS, Almaty

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