International Law Association

The International Law Association (ILA) was founded in Brussels in 1873 as an association 'to consist of Jurists, Economists, Legislators, Politicians and others taking an interest in the question of the reform and Codification of Public and Private International Law, the Settlement of Disputes by Arbitration, and the assimilation of the laws, practice and procedure of the Nations in reference to such laws' (afternoon sitting of the first conference of members, 19 November 1873: reference ILA/1/1). It was initially called the Association for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations, changing its title to the International Law Association in the early 20th century. The Association was to consist of a Council of officers comprising a President, vice presidents, secretaries and other members of the Conference (called the Bureau), plus a series of local, departmental or provincial committees who were to report to the President. These committees have since expanded into International Committees. The ILA's activities are now organised by an Executive Council, assisted by the Headquarters Secretariat in London. Membership of the Association, at present about 4,200, is spread among branches throughout the world and ranges from lawyers in private practice, academia, industrial and financial spheres, and representatives of bodies such as shipping and arbitration organisations and chambers of commerce. The ILA has consultative status, as an international non-governmental organisation, with a number of the United Nations specialised agencies. The ILA appointed its first executive secretary in about the early 1950s. A 1982 memorandum from the Executive Council chairman, Lord Wilberforce clearly distinguished this position from that of the honorary secretary general: the executive secretary has executive responsibility for the administration of ILA headquarters; the honorary secretary general has no executive responsibility for the running of the office but is available for consultation and advice. ILA executive secretaries have included the following persons: G Worsley (c.1960s), John Churchill (1979-1985), R C H Briggs (1985), Ferdie L de May and Barbara Osirio (c.1990s), and Juliet Fussell (from 2000) and Claire Martin to 2025. Nicholas May, the CEO from 2025, is now responsible for the administration of the ILA HQ, including liaison with the IALS Archives. The ILA'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. These conferences, of which 81 at the time of writing have been held 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.