Litigation Meets Crime Conference 2026

The "When Litigation Meets Crime" conference, scheduled for January 28–30, 2026, at the Fairmont Copacabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is organized by the International Bar Association (IBA). This event is a collaborative effort of the IBA Criminal Law Committee, the IBA Business Crime Committee, and the IBA Litigation Committee, with support from the IBA Anti-Corruption Committee, the IBA Asset Recovery Committee, the IBA Insolvency Section, and the IBA Latin American Regional Forum.

The conference will delve into critical topics at the intersection of litigation and criminal law. Key sessions include discussions on asset recovery involving criminal authorities, the role of lawyers in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability, and the liability of board members during insolvency. These sessions aim to provide attendees with insights into the complexities of navigating legal challenges that arise when litigation intersects with criminal matters.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading legal professionals from around the world, participate in in-depth panel discussions, and network with peers. The event will feature notable speakers such as Saverio Lembo, Co-Chair of the conference, and Jacques Bouyssou, Co-Chair of the Litigation Committee, who will deliver the opening remarks. The conference will also offer practical workshops and sessions designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of legal practitioners dealing with cross-border litigation and crime-related issues.

This conference is ideal for legal professionals, including litigators, criminal defense attorneys, corporate counsel, and compliance officers, who are involved in or interested in the complexities of cases where litigation and criminal law intersect. Attending this event will provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and networking opportunities to navigate the evolving landscape of international litigation and crime.