The World Bar Conference takes place in Belfast and Dublin this week (May 15-17), hosted by the Bar of Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland, as part of the International Council of Advocates and Barristers.

This is only the second time the event has been held on the island of Ireland, and its return on an all-island basis coincides with the centenary of Ireland's independent legal system.

More than 250 delegates will attend the sold-out conference from common-law jurisdictions around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Honk Kong and South Africa, as well as the Bars of Scotland, and England and Wales.

The conference will be opened by Naomi Long (Justice minister for the Northern Ireland Executive) in Belfast this evening at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Helen McEntee (Minister for Justice) will make closing remarks on Friday evening.

The conference will be addressed tomorrow and Friday by Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell and the North's Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan.

Conflicts

Climate change, migration, artificial intelligence, global conflicts, and cancel culture are key global challenges to be discussed, along with the importance of collaboration in addressing contemporary legal challenges.

Other guest speakers include attorney generals, judges, and leading legal experts from participating jurisdictions.

Naomi Long said: “In today’s world, having access to fair legal justice systems cannot be taken for granted. It is something that we as an international community must continue to work on, particularly in the face of new and complex global challenges.”

Sara Phelan SC, chair of the Council of the Bar of Ireland, said: “In a time where our profession and our rules-based legal order faces challenges and uncertainty, coming together to share our professional experience and our legal expertise is invaluable.”