International Law

International Law

The Law Council of Australia represents the Australian legal profession nationally and internationally. The Law Council's international work, guided by its International Strategy, aims to:

  • Enhance the profile and reputation of the Australian legal profession and promote the expertise and capability of Australian lawyers internationally;
  • Maintain close relationships with counterparts peak professional bodies internationally through participation in in bilateral and multilateral dialogue;
  • Actively contribute to the work of international bodies such as the International Bar Association, LAWASIA and the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association;
  • Advocate on behalf of the Australian legal profession to secure binding commitments in trade agreements that allow Australian and foreign lawyers to work together to provide legal services covering the laws of multiple jurisdictions (“fully integrated” legal services);
  • Work with overseas counterpart bodies to address behind the border barriers that prevent effective delivery of fully integrated legal services;
  • Promote respect and adherence to an international rules based order, consistent with the Law Council’s Rule of Law Principles;
  • Assist counterpart peak professional bodies and their members to provide competent and independent legal advice, receive equal protection of law and procedural fairness and support the existence of an independent judiciary; and
  • Support the development of bars and law associations in the region, including through organisations such as the South Pacific Lawyers’ Association and the Presidents of Law Associations in Asia Conference.

The Law Council also has an International Law Section which supports the Council's international work through submissions, seminars, and conferences on international legal issues.

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