The International Conference of Legal Regulators 2023 took place in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland, from Wednesday 25 October to Friday 27 October 2023. The event was hosted by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority of Ireland at the Royal Marine Hotel. Delegates from more than one hundred regulatory bodies attended from Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The theme for the conference was “The future of legal regulation – navigating the decade ahead.”
Opening day activities
On Wednesday 25 October, delegates travelled to the monastic city at Glendalough for a guided tour and a traditional Irish lunch. In the evening, a welcome reception took place at the DLR LexIcon building in Dún Laoghaire. The reception allowed delegates to connect informally before the formal sessions began.
Plenary sessions
Plenary one: Keeping up with the Joneses: engineering cultural change in a resistant profession
This opening plenary explored how regulators can support cultural change within a profession that often resists reform. Speakers discussed the importance of leadership, evidence based approaches, and transparent communication. They emphasised the need for regulators to articulate a clear direction of travel while supporting practitioners through shifts in expectations and practice norms.
Plenary two: Ethics and the rule of law
The second plenary examined the central role of ethics and the rule of law in maintaining public confidence. Contributors reflected on the changing pressures affecting ethical behaviour, including globalisation, shifting consumer expectations, and increased digital communication. The discussion highlighted the importance of clear ethical frameworks, active engagement with professionals, and consistent regulatory responses.
Plenary three: Artificial intelligence and the new legal regulatory landscape
The third plenary focused on artificial intelligence and its expanding influence on legal services. Speakers explained what artificial intelligence is, how it is used within law and justice systems, and what risks it creates for regulatory oversight. Issues such as transparency, data protection, accountability, and rapid technological advancement featured prominently. Participants stressed the need for regulators to update policies quickly and to collaborate internationally on shared guidance.
Plenary four: Building a better regulator: revisiting the regulatory paradigm
The final plenary examined what it means to be an effective modern regulator. Contributors discussed governance, independence, agility, and the importance of consumer insight in regulatory decision making. The session encouraged regulators to reflect on their overarching purpose, the tools they use, and the expectations placed upon them in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
Breakout session summaries
Session one: Regulating across generations
This session explored differing generational perspectives on communication, work patterns, and professional expectations. Delegates considered how regulators can recognise these differences while maintaining consistent standards and fair treatment across the profession.
Session two: Ensuring ongoing competence in the new legal landscape
This breakout examined evolving approaches to ongoing competence. Discussions covered continuing professional development models, periodic assessment, risk based supervision, and evidence of learning outcomes. Delegates agreed that competence must be measurable, meaningful, and responsive to changes in practice.
Session three: New types of conduct complaints
Speakers reported an increase in complaints linked to digital behaviour, remote practice, and blurred professional boundaries. Case examples illustrated how quickly issues can escalate. The session focused on updating expectations, improving triage, and clarifying guidance to prevent avoidable misconduct.
Session four: From conduct regulation to practice management
This session examined the move towards entity level oversight. Delegates discussed risk profiling, audit programmes, and the benefits of proactive supervision. They considered how practice management expectations can complement individual conduct rules to reduce harm and improve consistency.
Session five: Legal deserts, access to justice, and the right role for regulators
Delegates examined how regulatory systems can help address uneven access to legal services. Topics included licensing innovation, support for alternative delivery models, and the use of data to map service gaps. The session discussed how regulators can encourage sustainable solutions while maintaining standards.
Session six: Building the better lawyer: expanding pathways into the profession
This session focused on diversifying and strengthening pathways into legal practice. Delegates discussed admissions processes, training models, micro credentials, and recognition of prior learning. They considered how regulators can enable innovation in education while safeguarding competence and public protection.
Session seven: Internal challenges for regulators in the post pandemic world
Regulators shared experiences regarding hybrid working, digital transformation, recruitment, and governance resilience. The session highlighted the importance of agile structures, clear internal communication, and modernised operational processes.
Session eight: Walking in their shoes: how customer insight can make better regulators
This breakout explored how consumer and complainant insight can shape regulatory decisions. Delegates discussed research techniques, journey mapping, and feedback processes. They agreed that high quality insight strengthens fairness, proportionality, and public trust in regulatory outcomes.
Cultural and networking programme
The programme included cultural experiences that supported informal connection. Delegates visited Glendalough, gaining an appreciation of Ireland’s heritage. On the following evening, a networking dinner took place at the Guinness Storehouse, providing space to reflect on shared challenges and develop new professional relationships.
Cross cutting themes
Across all sessions, several clear themes emerged:
- Regulators must remain responsive and future oriented while preserving independence.
- Ethical standards require renewed attention in light of changing practice environments.
- Artificial intelligence is reshaping legal services and demands coordinated regulatory action.
- Data, research, and consumer insight now play central roles in effective regulation.
- Regulatory flexibility is essential for improving access to justice and supporting diverse service models.
Closing reflections
The ICLR 2023 conference offered a comprehensive examination of the future of legal regulation. Delegates gained insight into cultural change, ethical expectations, technological disruption, ongoing competence, access to justice, and the internal resilience of regulatory bodies. The discussions reinforced the value of international collaboration as regulators prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the coming decade.