New Delhi: The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), the apex representative body of law firms in India, will convene AURELIS 2026(Asian Union for Regulatory and Emerging Legal Inclusive Systems), its international conference in Bangkok on 18 September, bringing together around 150 legal professionals, law firms, general counsel and legal institutions from jurisdictions across Asia and the Middle East. A key highlight of the conference will be the live signing of the Asian Legal Accord by Dr Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF, as a founding initiative towards building a shared legal architecture for Asia and fostering sustained regional legal cooperation.
The Asian Legal Accord will
establish a framework for sustained regional cooperation across investment,
intellectual property, cross-border dispute resolution, talent mobility and
capacity building. Envisioned as a founding framework for regional
dialogue, cooperation and institution-building across Asia’s legal community,
the Accord seeks to encourage greater cooperation while respecting the distinct
legal systems and traditions across jurisdictions. AURELIS will serve as an
annual forum for the review and renewal of the framework, providing continuity
to the initiative beyond the inaugural conference.
Speaking ahead of the conference,
Dr Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF, said, “As trade, investment,
technology and businesses increasingly transcend national borders, the legal
profession in Asia must also move towards greater dialogue and cooperation.
Asia has diverse legal systems and regulatory frameworks, and issues such as cross-border
dispute resolution, data privacy, artificial intelligence and digital trade are
creating new challenges that cannot be looked at in isolation. There is a need
to build stronger institutional linkages among legal professionals across
jurisdictions while respecting the sovereignty and distinct legal traditions of
each country.”
He further added, “Aligning
with Prime Minister Modi’s call of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the Asian Legal
Accord is an initiative by SILF to bring the legal fraternity across Asia onto
a common platform for greater dialogue, knowledge exchange and professional cooperation.
AURELIS 2026 will mark the beginning of this journey, bringing together law
firms, general counsel, legal institutions and professionals from different
jurisdictions. Through this initiative, we hope to build stronger and enduring
professional relationships and contribute towards a more connected legal
ecosystem across Asia.”
Organised under the theme “Moving
Towards Asian Legal Accord”, AURELIS 2026 will feature discussions on some
of the key legal and regulatory issues confronting businesses and legal
professionals across jurisdictions. Sessions will examine the future of dispute
solutions in Asia; legal and commercial linkages across India, the Gulf,
Southeast Asia and Africa; data privacy across jurisdictions; Asia’s
preparedness for AI regulation; country-specific legal developments; and the
impact of artificial intelligence on legal education and practice. The
deliberations will also cover regulatory fragmentation, cross-border dispute
resolution and enforcement, data sovereignty, AI accountability and liability,
digital trade, regulatory interoperability and emerging business corridors.
The conference is expected to
witness participation from jurisdictions including India, Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates,
along with representation from Africa. International legal and
dispute-resolution institutions participating include the Hong Kong Institute
of Arbitrators (HKIArb), Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC),
Bhutan Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (BADRC), Thailand Arbitration
Center (THAC), Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Malaysia, and Bangalore
International Mediation, Arbitration and Conciliation Centre (BIMACC), India.
Prominent speakers at AURELIS
2026 include Tenzin Leewan, Secretary General, Bhutan ADR Centre; Dr Asanga
Gunawansa, Lead Counsel, Colombo Law Alliance; Ryan Chung, Deputy General
Counsel, Klook; Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh, Partner and Director, Corporate
& Commercial, Tilleke & Gibbins; Sachin Mishra, General Counsel &
Company Secretary, Tata Consulting Engineers Limited; Mr. Alok Kumar, Sonthas Manivat, Country Counsel, IBM
Thailand; and Dr Parada Kaewparadai, Dean, School of Law and Director, LL.M.
Program, Bangkok University, among other legal, corporate and academic leaders.
Participating law firms include Kochhar and Co., Kudun& Partners,
Tilleke& Gibbins, THS The Law Firm, SNG and Partners, P&A Associates
and Lawyerman and Partners, among others.
Through AURELIS 2026 and the
Asian Legal Accord, SILF aims to strengthen institutional and professional
relationships between Indian law firms and the wider Asian legal community at a
time when trade, investment, technology and businesses are increasingly
operating across jurisdictions. The initiative seeks to create sustained
channels for dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation while addressing
emerging legal and regulatory challenges arising from greater cross-border
economic integration.