• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Industry
  • Compliance
  • Global Trade
  • Industry
  • Sustainability & Ethics
  • Video
  • Security & Risk
An Updated Guide showcasing International Trade Agreements, featuring a close-up image of a globe with numerous lines representing global connectivity.

IBA Releases Updated Guide on International Trade Agreements

07/24/2024
Businesspeople shaking hands, symbolizing a trade agreement or negotiation impacted by increased tariffs. - Supply Chain News

U.S. Increases Tariffs on Select Canadian Imports to 35 Percent

08/01/2025
Trump Administration Sets New Tariffs to Begin in One Week

Trump Administration Sets New Tariffs to Begin in One Week

08/01/2025
New U.S. Tariff Measures Reshape Trade Terms with Canada and Other Key Partners

New U.S. Tariff Measures Reshape Trade Terms with Canada and Other Key Partners

08/01/2025
United States Revises Import Tariffs on Canadian Goods to 35%

United States Revises Import Tariffs on Canadian Goods to 35%

08/01/2025
U.S. Raises Tariffs on Canadian Imports from 25% to 35% Under Executive Order

U.S. Raises Tariffs on Canadian Imports from 25% to 35% Under Executive Order

08/01/2025
Professional Logistics Network Inc. Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Professional Logistics Network Inc. Elevates Global Freight Forwarding with Next-Gen Digital Alliance

07/31/2025
Zoni American High School Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Zoni American High School Expands Global Opportunities Through U.S.-Based, Student-Centered Education

07/31/2025
Zoni American High School Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Zoni American High School Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

07/31/2025
Professional Logistics Network Inc. Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Professional Logistics Network Inc. Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

07/31/2025
UNISIL Nominated for the Go Global Awards 2025

UNISIL Nominated for the Go Global Awards 2025

07/31/2025
World Speedex Logistics Expands Global Footprint with Reliable Freight Solutions and Customer-Centric Innovation

World Speedex Logistics Nominated for the Go Global Awards 2025

07/31/2025
Compos Mentis Legal Practitioners, a leading Nigerian law firm with offices in Warri, Lagos, and Abuja, continues to set new standards in legal service delivery through innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to global best practices. Established in 2007, the firm has grown into a trusted name in dispute resolution, debt recovery, intellectual property, medical law, and corporate advisory. The firm holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian law firm certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard, reflecting its dedication to quality management, transparency, and client satisfaction. This milestone reinforces Compos Mentis LP’s role as a trailblazer in legal professionalism, setting a benchmark for excellence across Nigeria and beyond. At the heart of the firm’s innovation strategy is Consultus Lawyer, a proprietary digital platform that allows clients—both local and international—to access legal services remotely. Through this platform, the firm provides affordable, high-quality support in a wide range of legal matters, including cross-border disputes and advisory services. Flexible pricing models ensure accessibility for diverse clients, including government agencies, public institutions, community trust boards, individuals, and small enterpr In 2024–2025, the firm recorded an 87.5% success rate across 24 litigation cases, a testament to its rigorous preparation and expert legal strategy. The firm's consistent results and sectoral expertise have been recognized through numerous accolades, including the Dispute Resolution Law Experts of the Year in Nigeria – 2025 by Global Law Experts and the Regional Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 ESQ Legal Awards. Compos Mentis LP has also earned multiple Mondaq Awards in 2024 and 2025 for its contributions to legal thought leadership, particularly in intellectual property and immigration law. These recognitions underscore the firm’s ability to blend deep legal insight with a forward-thinking approach to knowledge sharing. Beyond its commercial achievements, Compos Mentis LP is deeply committed to social responsibility. The firm provides pro bono legal services to indigent individuals and supports host communities in the Niger Delta with legal representation and governance advisory. It also invests in talent development, fostering the next generation of legal professionals through mentorship and continuous learning opportunities. As Compos Mentis LP expands its reach and digital capabilities, it remains grounded in its core values: excellence, access to justice, and service to the community. With a proven track record, global outlook, and commitment to legal empowerment, the firm is positioned as a leader in Nigeria’s evolving legal landscape. To learn more, visit: https://compos-mentis.com #ComposMentis #LegalInnovation #DisputeResolution #AccessToJustice #ConsultusLawyer #ISO9001Certified #RuleOfLaw #NigeriaLegal #LawFirmOfTheYear #GlobalLegalStandards

Compos Mentis Legal Practitioners Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

07/31/2025
supplychainreport
Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Home
  • Industry
    • Supply Chain
    • Logistics & Transportation
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Manufacturing
    • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Compliance
    • Supply Chain Transparency
    • Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
    • Know Your Customer (KYC)
    • Risk Management
    • Export Controls
    • Sanctions
  • Global Trade
    • Market Trends
    • Economic Indicators
    • Sourcing
    • Trade Policies
    • International Relations
    • Trade Agreements
    • Tariffs & Duties
    • Import/Export Statistics
  • Luxury Goods
  • Industry
    • Blockchain in Supply Chain
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Automation & Robotics
    • Artificial Intelligence in Trade
    • Data & Analytics
  • Sustainability & Ethics
    • Green Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Logistics
    • Ethical Sourcing
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Environmental Policies
  • Security & Risk
    • Cybersecurity in Trade
    • Fraud & Scams
    • Risk Mitigation
    • Security Protocols
    • Data Protection
  • ITC News
    • ITC Featured Members
    • ITC Business Councils Highlights
  • Events
    • Upcoming Conferences
    • Upcoming FREE Educational Webinars
No Result
View All Result
supplychainreport
No Result
View All Result

IBA Releases Updated Guide on International Trade Agreements

by Daisy D.
07/24/2024
in Global Trade, Trade Agreements

The International Bar Association (IBA) has unveiled the latest edition of its Guide to International Trade Agreements for IBA Member Bars (IBA GATS Handbook), acknowledging the notable changes in the international trade landscape over the last decade since the release of the 2013 edition. This updated guide aims to provide legal professionals with insights into the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), a treaty under the World Trade Organization (WTO) established in 1995, and the implications of various free trade agreements negotiated on bilateral or regional terms.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

U.S. Increases Tariffs on Select Canadian Imports to 35 Percent

Trump Administration Sets New Tariffs to Begin in One Week

The IBA GATS Handbook serves as a practical resource for bars interested in comprehending and responding to the international trade accords entered into by their respective governments. These agreements have seen significant developments within and outside the WTO, influencing legal service trade on both domestic and international fronts.

The latest edition of the IBA GATS Handbook is the result of research conducted by the IBA Bar Issues Commission’s International Trade in Legal Services Committee (IBA BIC ITILS) from November 2022 to January 2023. The co-authors behind this update are Alison Hook, Co-Founder of Hook Tangaza, a consultancy specializing in the legal sector, and member of the IBA Section on Professional and Public Interest advisory board; Laurel Terry, Professor of Law Emerita at Penn State Dickinson Law, and Communications Officer of the IBA Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Expert Subcommittee; and Jonathan Goldsmith, an international legal services consultant and member of the IBA BIC Policy Committee.

Co-Author Alison Hook noted, “The latest trade agreements being negotiated are unrecognizable from the past. The most ambitious include extensive chapters on regulatory cooperation, joint policy initiatives, and cooperation in international rule-making bodies. This, along with the fact that the digital revolution is changing how cross-border trade in legal services is being done, means that Bars need to be on top of what is going on in this area or risk being side-lined.”

Mickaël Laurans, Chair of the IBA BIC ITILS Committee, emphasized the handbook’s importance, saying, “The IBA GATS Handbook has been the go-to resource for Bars and law societies having to consider the challenges of cross-border trade in legal services. Our three authors, Alison Hook, Laurel Terry, and Jonathan Goldsmith, have done us an immense service in updating the guide to reflect the realities of today’s international trade.”

The global legal services sector’s estimated value approached $1 trillion in 2022. With governments frequently entering into new free trade agreements, keeping abreast of these developments is essential for bars. Failure to do so could result in missed opportunities for their members, inadequate preparation for engaging with governments on matters crucial to lawyers, and potential challenges in regulating the legal profession.

Legal services trade is prevalent to some degree in all countries, with over 356 bilateral and regional trade agreements currently in force worldwide. Agreements such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in the Asia-Pacific region have far-reaching implications. In 2021-2022 alone, 24 new trade agreement notifications were made globally. These next-generation agreements encompass issues of particular relevance to lawyers and bars, including legal services trade, international arbitration, international human rights, and digital trade.

To assist legal professionals and bars in navigating the complexities of the current international trade landscape, the updated GATS Handbook is structured into four comprehensive parts:

  1. Part I offers a high-level policy context and an overview of key concepts related to legal services trade, along with practical advice for bars to engage with policymakers on trade in legal services issues.
  2. Part II outlines the international legal framework governing legal services trade for all WTO members.
  3. Part III addresses key scenarios bars may encounter concerning international legal services trade negotiations, providing guidance on distinct processes that may characterize these situations, including bilateral or regional trade agreements.
  4. Part IV summarizes the IBA’s support for its Member Bars on legal services trade matters and provides links to relevant IBA resources.

The IBA GATS Handbook also presents several recommendations for bars, including staying informed about international trade developments in their jurisdiction, engaging with governments and trade negotiators, and leveraging IBA resources for cross-border legal services issues.

While designed for all IBA Bar members, this guide may be particularly beneficial for bars in countries with less developed government-private sector communication compared to highly active trading jurisdictions and blocs, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the European Union (EU).

The first edition of the IBA GATS Handbook was originally published in 2003 and later revised in 2013.

Discover supply chain news insights on The Supply Chain Report. Enhance your international trade knowledge at ADAMftd.com with free tools.

#IBAGATSHandbook #InternationalTradeAgreements #LegalServicesTrade #WTO #FreeTradeAgreements #GlobalTrade #LegalProfessionals #CrossBorderTrade #TradeInLegalServices #DigitalTrade #InternationalArbitration #LegalSectorInsights #IBA #BarIssuesCommission #PolicyInitiatives #TradeNegotiations #LegalServicesConsultancy #WTORegulations #InternationalTradeUpdates #LegalPolicy #BarAssociations #GATS #LegalProfessionalsHandbook #IBACommittee #TradeInLegalSector

ShareTweet

Subscribe Our Newsletter

Share Your News

Whether it’s a groundbreaking achievement, a heartwarming tale, or an insightful perspective, we want to hear it. Share your news with us, and let’s amplify your voice in the digital symphony of stories.

Submit

A man is riding a bike on a hill.

The Supply Chain Report is your essential daily news website, serving as a trusted source for comprehensive coverage of the complex and ever-evolving global supply chain dynamics. Our expert team delves into the intricacies of international trade, manufacturing, logistics, importing, exporting, and supply chain management; providing in-depth analysis and up-to-date news on the latest trends, disruptions, and technological advancements affecting industries worldwide. From detailed reports on international trade through to insights into procurement strategies and inventory management, we offer valuable content that helps professionals stay informed and make knowledgeable decisions in a fast-paced market.

Each day, we bring you cutting-edge news and expert commentary that dissect significant international trade and supply chain issues Our coverage spans a wide array of sectors including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, food, consumer goods, and technology, ensuring that no matter your field, you have the strategic information needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s supply chain landscape. By synthesizing complex data and presenting actionable insights, The Supply Chain Report empowers business leaders, policymakers, and logistics professionals to optimize their operations and drive forward with confidence in an interconnected world.

Connect With Us

  • About
  • Events
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2024 International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited. Incorporated in the United Kingdom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Industry
    • Supply Chain
    • Logistics & Transportation
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Manufacturing
    • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Compliance
    • Supply Chain Transparency
    • Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
    • Know Your Customer (KYC)
    • Risk Management
    • Export Controls
    • Sanctions
  • Global Trade
    • Market Trends
    • Economic Indicators
    • Sourcing
    • Trade Policies
    • International Relations
    • Trade Agreements
    • Tariffs & Duties
    • Import/Export Statistics
  • Luxury Goods
  • Industry
    • Blockchain in Supply Chain
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Automation & Robotics
    • Artificial Intelligence in Trade
    • Data & Analytics
  • Sustainability & Ethics
    • Green Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Logistics
    • Ethical Sourcing
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Environmental Policies
  • Security & Risk
    • Cybersecurity in Trade
    • Fraud & Scams
    • Risk Mitigation
    • Security Protocols
    • Data Protection
  • ITC News
    • ITC Featured Members
    • ITC Business Councils Highlights
  • Events
    • Upcoming Conferences
    • Upcoming FREE Educational Webinars

© 2024 International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited. Incorporated in the United Kingdom.