The International Law Association was founded in Brussels in 1873. Its objectives, under its Constitution, include the "study, elucidation and advancement of international law, public and private, the study of comparative law, the making of proposals for the solution of conflicts of law and for the unification of law, and the furthering of international understanding and goodwill."

The ILA has consultative status, as an international non-governmental organisation, with a number of the United Nations specialised agencies. The activities of the ILA are organised by the Executive Council, assisted by the Headquarters Secretariat in London. Membership of the Association, at present about 3700, is spread among Branches throughout the world. The ILA welcomes as members all those interested in its objectives.

Its membership ranges from lawyers in private practice, academia, government and the judiciary, to non-lawyer experts from commercial, industrial and financial spheres, and representatives of bodies such as shipping and arbitration organisations and chambers of commerce.

The Association's objectives are pursued primarily through the work of its International Committees, and the focal point of its activities is the series of Biennial Conferences. The Conferences, of which 72 have so far been held in different locations throughout the world, provide a forum for the comprehensive discussion and endorsement of the work of the Committees. Biennial Conferences are hosted by individual branches and held locally. The most recent in 2006 was held by the Canadian Branch in Toronto 4-8 June 2006. The next conference will be held in Brazil on 17th – 21st August 2008.

Author:
International Law Association
www.ila-hq.org