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Lawyers making a difference on climate change
Lawyers making a difference on climate change
Barcelona in the Spring is a delight as the blossom in the trees begins to show. President Philip Henson and International Committee member Sara Chandler travelled there to attend the European Bars Federation (FBE) conference on climate change and the law, and a working brunch on artificial intelligence, between 14 and 16 March. This conference provided a great opportunity for networking.
The first day began with a meeting of the twinned bars, where reports were given by over 20 bars on their concerns and activities. Philip raised the concern of the threat posed by the UK government to the rule of law and the independence of judges and lawyers in the UK, which surprised WHLS’s colleagues from other European bars. Sara reported the upcoming visit to ClujNapoca for the “Taste of Law” conference from 16 to 18 May. Other bars reported their various activities, including training and exchanges for young lawyers, and guidance on the use of artificial intelligence and upholding the rule of law. The International Bar Association delegate reported on their study of the impact of the legal profession in Mexico. This was followed by a reception with speeches of welcome and an opportunity to meet more of the delegates, not only from all over Europe but also from North Africa, Asia, and North America.
The next morning, Philip was on the first panel of the day in the working session entitled “Climate Change: the transition from programmatic to binding obligations”. Philip gave a speech about a case in the Employment Tribunal, which he warned could have an impact on employers who disregard their employees’ concerns over climate change, as the case showed that concern over climate change can be held to be a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010. Speakers included a member of the New York Bar, the Taipei Bar Association, the Paris Bar, and the Union des Avocats Internacional. In the second session of the day, entitled “How climate change is affecting the legal profession and climate litigation”, speakers ranged from the International Bar Association, the Vice President of the American Bar Association, the Spanish National Bar, the Union des Avocats Internacional UIA, the International Association of Young Lawyers, and the President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. Those members
of WHLS who went on the legal visit to Barcelona will remember the library of the Bar Association, which houses some of the oldest documents in Europe. Philip was given a tour of the library by a member of the Barcelona Bar, a dual qualified English solicitor. In the evening, Philip and Sara attended the gala dinner held in the Barceloneta, a quayside restaurant specialising in seafood. It was an opportunity to network in less formal conditions than the conference.
On the final day, the conference became less formal and more focused on discussion. The Barcelona Bar Dean welcomed all to the legal brunch, and all delegates were given the opportunity to participate in a discussion on artificial intelligence. This legal brunch was organised as a follow up to a legal brunch held in 2023, in which artificial intelligence and its impact on the work of the legal profession was also discussed. Sara raised the issue of digital poverty in the UK and its impact on access to justice for people who are excluded from internet provision, either by lack of connectivity, or lack of access to hardware, software or the internet. The greatest concerns held by delegates about artificial intelligence were the threat it poses to cyber security and how it will change the jobs of future lawyers.
All WHLS members are welcome to join in the international events, including the legal visit and conference in Cluj-Napoca in May. A small delegation is going, and any further members will be welcome to participate, especially if there are lawyers who are also artists and would welcome the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in Europe. The next FBE congress will be in Malaga from 6 to 8 June, and further information will be posted on FBE’s website.
Members interested in joining the International Committee should contact the secretary, Arisa Terada (Arisa.Terada@farrer.co.uk).
