The International Conference of Legal Regulators 2022 took place from 26 to 28 October 2022 in Chicago USA and brought together legal regulators from multiple jurisdictions to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging regulatory challenges, and strengthen international collaboration. The event continued ICLR’s mission of supporting regulators through shared learning, evidence based practice, and comparative insight.
Regulators attending the conference included representatives from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and several United States jurisdictions, among others. Discussions during the event focused on how the pandemic has reshaped the regulatory environment, the development of LawTech, and the wider evolution of legal services regulatory frameworks.
Conference themes
The evolving regulatory landscape after the pandemic
Delegates discussed the long term regulatory implications of the Covid pandemic, including changes in legal practice models, consumer expectations, and the operational pressures placed on law firms and oversight bodies. Regulators examined how remote working, digital client engagement, and altered economic conditions have shifted risk profiles and regulatory priorities.
The future of LawTech and technology driven regulation
Technology development, particularly LawTech, was a central topic during the conference. Delegates compared experiences from their respective jurisdictions, including the adoption of digital tools, data driven regulatory methods, and new models of legal service delivery. Discussions focused on opportunities for efficiency and innovation as well as the regulatory risks arising from technology enabled practice.
International cooperation and shared regulatory challenges
ICLR 2022 continued the organisation’s emphasis on international collaboration. Delegates used the event as a platform to explore deeper cooperation, including opportunities for joint learning, shared data, and alignment on key regulatory principles. Representatives from Hong Kong and Singapore in particular discussed ongoing collaboration and the potential for future partnership in conference hosting and programme development.
Keynote and regulatory insights
One highllight of the conference was the keynote speech delivered on 28 October 2022 by Chris Nichols of the Legal Services Board of England and Wales. His address, titled “The scope of regulation,” explored four central themes underpinning the modern regulatory framework:
- Independence, both from government and from the legal profession it regulates
- Purpose, as defined by statutory regulatory objectives
- Regulation by activity rather than professional title
- Alternative business structures and their regulatory implications
Nichols examined how these principles have shaped the regulatory framework in England and Wales since the introduction of the Legal Services Act 2007. He discussed the role of oversight regulation, the importance of maintaining public trust, and the need for regulation to promote access to justice while protecting consumers.
International engagement and networking
The Law Society of Hong Kong’s delegation used the event to build relationships with regulators from the United Kingdom, Singapore, Dubai, and South Africa. Discussions focused on common challenges such as the rise of technology, the shifting regulatory demands created by the pandemic, and broader developments in global legal service markets. Delegates identified several areas where deeper cooperation could support regulatory effectiveness.
ICLR 2022 also served as a venue for “regulators only” dialogue on best practices. This format helped ensure open discussion about regulatory reform, compliance challenges, and innovative approaches to supervision.
Cross cutting themes
Several themes were consistently identified across the confirmed reports from participants:
- Regulatory independence remains essential to public confidence in the legal system.
- Technology continues to reshape legal service delivery, requiring new approaches to oversight.
- The pandemic permanently changed legal practice, accelerating digital transformation and altering risk landscapes.
- Regulators must support innovation while managing new risks, ensuring that consumer protection evolves alongside new forms of service delivery.
- International cooperation is increasingly important, given the global nature of modern legal markets.
Closing reflections
The ICLR 2022 conference reaffirmed the value of collaboration between legal regulators around the world. Delegates explored shared challenges arising from technology, pandemic‑driven change, and shifting professional expectations. They also reflected on the regulatory principles necessary to support public confidence, maintain independence, and ensure that legal services remain accessible, ethical, and innovative.
ICLR 2022 played an important role in re‑establishing in-person international regulatory engagement after the pandemic and in setting the stage for the more detailed thematic programmes delivered in 2023, 2024, and 2025.