Professional organisations

Droits d'urgence

Droits d'urgence is a French lawyers' association providing free legal advice to poor and marginalised people. The site offers basic information on the association's work, including its charter and code of practice for volunteers, and its programme of legal advice / information in Paris and elsewhere. Established in 1995, the association co-operates with a number of local authorities and humanitarian agencies in France. The site is in French.

American Bankruptcy Institute

The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) is a membership organsiation for bankruptcy specialists in the United States. Its activities include the provision of education and research programmes, organising conferences and producing publications. The website provides educational material, bankruptcy news, details of conferences and other information. Contents lists from the ABI Journal are available, with full access restricted to members.

Commission for Environmental Co-operation

The Commission for Environmental Co-operation (CEC) is an international organisation created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North American Agreement on Environmental Co-operation (NAAEC), in order to address regional environmental concerns. The website provides general information about the Commission and its projects. The Publications and Information section includes detailed summaries of the environmental laws of Canada, Mexico and the US.

Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Professional body founded in 1983 whose members include lawyers, national bar associations and law societies in Commonwealth countries. The CLA's aim is to promote "the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, serves the people of the Commonwealth". This site has information about the CLA's work, in particular the biannual Commonwealth Law Conference, which is sponsored by the association.

Indigenous Bar Association

Website of the Indigenous Bar Association (IBA), an organisation based in Ontario, Canada which represents aboriginal lawyers and provides a forum for discussing developments in indigenous law. Membership is drawn from judges, academics, consultants and students. The website includes organisational information and details of the objectives and by-laws of the IBA. It also makes available the IBA's newsletters and conference reports, together with information about the National Secretariat Against Hate and Racism in Canada.

ABA Section of Family Law

Website for the American Bar Association Family Law Section which was formed in 1958 to improve the administration of justice in family law and to "serve as the national leader in the field of marital and family law". Membership is drawn from family law practitioners and law students. The Family Law Section deals with legal issues such as divorce, custody, adoption, paternity, child abduction and mediation. There are sections aimed at members, students and the general public.

Expert Witness Institute

The Expert Witness Institute (EWI) was set up in 1996 to support expert witnesses. Its website gives organisational information about the EWI, the work of its committees and a diary of events, courses and seminars. The site also includes EWI newsletters and position papers, professional guidance for members, news items and a page of links. Parts of the site are only available to members.

Law Centres Federation

Co-ordinating body for law centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The site includes background information about law centres and access to justice. Contact details for law centres are provided, together with policy and research documents, leaflets and a newsletter. Parts of the site are restricted to members only.
Subscribe to Professional organisations