The International Bar Association calls on lawyers to take a stronger role in defending the rule of law
The International Bar Association has called on the global legal profession to step up efforts to defend, explain and promote the rule of law, warning that it is under threat even in jurisdictions traditionally seen as strongholds.
In its 2025 Legal Agenda, published on 31 December, the world’s largest lawyers’ association said the rule of law could no longer be assumed to be secure in regions such as Europe and the United States. The bi-annual publication urges lawyers and law firms to take a more active role in upholding fundamental principles, including the independence of the judiciary and adherence to core ethical standards.
The agenda marks a significant shift in focus from the previous 2023 edition, which was published at the start of Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama’s term as IBA president and identified artificial intelligence as the most pressing issue facing the profession. In that earlier report, the rule of law ranked seventh behind concerns such as AI, environmental, social and governance issues, client demands, recruitment and retention, and reputational risk.
The latest agenda reflects discussions held throughout 2024 and 2025 with national and international law firm leaders and corporate counsel. It also mirrors themes raised during the IBA annual conference in Toronto in November.
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Outgoing IBA president Jaime Carey said the agenda was intended both as a reflection on the challenges currently facing lawyers and as a call to action for the years ahead. He said the rule of law could no longer be taken for granted, even in countries that had historically led by example.
Carey added that the updated agenda emphasised the responsibility of lawyers to defend judicial independence, act with integrity and engage more actively with society on the importance of the rule of law. He said lawyers should see leadership and civic responsibility as part of their professional role, alongside traditional legal practice.
The IBA president-elect, Italian lawyer Claudio Visco, who is due to succeed Carey in 2026 as part of a joint presidency arrangement, said the report highlighted how lawyers are operating at the intersection of rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and rising public expectations. He said lawyers are not only providers of legal services but also a central pillar in maintaining democratic values and public trust.
The agenda also examines the continued evolution of artificial intelligence regulation. While some regions, such as the European Union, have introduced regulatory frameworks, the report notes significant divergence across jurisdictions. It adds that the development of bespoke AI systems within law firms may require changes to business models and a reassessment of traditional hourly billing structures.
Talent attraction and retention remain a challenge for the profession, according to the report. It suggests that artificial intelligence and non-equity partnerships may offer solutions, with AI opening new recruitment pathways and non-equity roles helping firms retain senior lawyers.
The agenda further warns that law firms risk reputational damage if they are perceived as overly commercial. It urges firms to clearly articulate their role as guardians of justice, democracy and the rule of law. Improving public confidence in lawyers, it says, is a shared responsibility across the profession.