•  
  •  
 

Authors

David Collins

Abstract

This article presents the International Bar Association as a highly-influential but often overlooked non-state actor through the lens of its involvement in the standardization of Mutual Recognition Agreements for legal services. Not only do most MRAs contemplate the active involvement of professional bodies such as law societies and bar associations in their construction and monitoring, but the IBA’s guidelines for MRAs also inform the content of these agreements, facilitating the practice of international law by a more highly mobile profession. This, in turn, underpins the capacity of the community of international lawyers to exercise their technical expertise to influence other non-state actors, exemplifying what may be described as the IBA’s “meta-lawmaking” on the global stage. As there has been poor uptake of MRAs by developing countries, initiatives of the IBA could help establish mutual recognition for legal services in the developing world.

Download
COinS