International Legal Services Advisory Council
ILSAC is an advisory council established by the Australian Government with a mission to enhance the international presence and improve the international performance of Australia’s legal and related services. To further this aim, ILSAC undertakes work in four key areas: global legal services and market access; international legal cooperation; international legal education and training; and international commercial dispute resolution.
As the peak public-private sector consultative and advisory forum for Australia’s international legal services sector, the Council provides advice to government on policy issues and program coordination; facilitates communication between the government and the private sector; undertakes specific initiatives; and assists private sector initiatives in gathering, researching and disseminating information.
Since its inception in 1990, ILSAC has played a pivotal role in coordinating Australia’s approach to promoting Australian interests in legal and related services internationally. ILSAC’s initiatives over the years have encouraged a strategic outlook in responding to the internationalisation of legal and related services. This work has provided Australia and the Council with recognition, at both the domestic and international levels, as a leader in promoting the liberalisation of trade in transnational legal and related services.
The international legal services market is changing rapidly, and an important role remains for bodies such as ILSAC to coordinate and direct an innovative and responsive approach to the changes to ensure the continued success of the Australian legal services sector.
Business Plan and areas of interest
The Council has a Business Plan for 2007-10, developed on the basis of the Council’s Terms of Reference, which identifies ‘indicative tasks’ and corresponding ‘desired outcomes’ directed at achieving specific aims under six objectives. The Business Plan was approved by the Attorney-General in March 2008.
ILSAC's work is undertaken through four committees, each responsible for one of ILSAC's four key areas of interest (identified in the Business Plan under objectives one to four). Other ad hoc working groups are established as required, to undertake broad or specific tasks for the Council.
Global legal services and market access
ILSAC promotes the globalisation of legal services and identifies ways to enhance the international performance and competitiveness of the Australian legal profession. ILSAC advises on market access barriers, international trade negotiations concerning professional services and overseas developments in the regulation of legal practice and the implications of these for the Australian legal profession and the legal services sector.
For more information go to the Global legal services and market access page.
International legal cooperation
ILSAC promotes awareness and understanding of Australia’s legal system and institutions in the Asia-Pacific and other regions. It aims to facilitate a greater understanding of each country’s laws, legal systems and legal institutions, particularly in areas of trade, business and international law, and to contribute to the development of legal institutions, legal education and training and professional legal contact and interchange.
For more information go to the International legal cooperation page.
International legal education and training
ILSAC seeks to improve and facilitate the scope for Australia’s legal education and training sector to engage in, and service the growing demand in the Asia Pacific region for, international legal education and training. It also promotes international interchanges and Australian institutions as centres of excellence in legal education.
For more information go to the International legal education and training page.
International commercial dispute resolution
ILSAC promotes recognition and use in Australia and internationally of Australian dispute resolution practitioners and institutions in the field of international commerce. ILSAC seeks to raise awareness within commercial circles generally, particularly in the financial services industry, of the capacity of Australian dispute resolution practitioners to assist with promoting Australia as a regional business/financial headquarters.
For more information go to the International Commercial Dispute Resolution page.