Members stall IBA guidelines

Guidelines issued by the International Bar Association for foreign legal consultants are to be delayed for another year after objections from several of its member countries.

The IBA had intended to vote on the fourth draft of its guidelines, which set a standard for movement of lawyers across jurisdictions, during its 1 June council meeting. However, some of the association's 183 member countries said they wanted further discussion before guidelines were issued.

Now the IBA will hold a seminar on the issue during its 26th biennial conference in October and probably a second seminar during the 1997 European Bar Leaders Conference.

A report would then be put to the IBA's council meeting in June 1997 in New York.

Earlier this month, the European Council of Bars and Law Societies (CCBE) refused to comment on the IBA guidelines. Some CCBE members, including France and Germany, wanted the World Trade Organisation, which is looking at the issue, to take the initiative.