Conference of the International Bar Association
 
Home
Introduction
Registration Information
Registration
Programme
Showcase
Papers and Case Studies
Conference Information
Accommodation
Social Programme
Tours and Excursions
Sponsorship and Exhibition
Scholarships
Training Course
List of Participants
CPD/CLE
 
The Conference
 
Click here to view the Conference General information
 
Click here to view the Conference registration information
 
The Conference is a five-day event running from Sunday 25 to Friday 30 September, with working sessions commencing on Monday 26 September.
 
The programme comprises over 100 working sessions as well as several showcase sessions, combining practice-specific with the wider issues affecting the profession, ensuring there is something for every practitioner with clients who trade across borders.
 
The registration fee entitles you to attend as many sessions throughout the week as you wish. In addition there is a varied social programme, providing plenty of opportunity to network with fellow delegates in an information setting. An excursion programme allows delegates and their guests to explore the many attractions of Prague.
 
What will Prague 2005 offer?
  • A meeting place for over 3000 lawyers from around the world
  • Over 100 working sessions covering all areas relevant to international legal practitioners
  • A chance to share in the knowledge and expertise of the leading international lawyers from across the globe
  • A variety of social functions providing ample opportunities to network
  • Continuing Legal Education accreditation
  • Integrated guests programme
  • Convenient location: Prague is situated in the centre of Europe and is easily accessible from cities worldwide
  • Excursion and Tours programme
Getting the most out of your visit
 
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and home to over 1.2 million people. With its medieval buildings, churches and cathedrals, cobbled streets and 1,100-year-old castle it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
 
Built around the Vltava River, the city is made up of five very different neighbourhoods – from Malá Strana, the 13th-century ‘Little Quarter’, to the modern new town Nové Mêsto – each area has its own distinct feel.  
 
Culture
Prague boasts a range of architectural delights, including some of the finest Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe. The city is also famous for art, music and literature and has produced world-renowned writers including Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera, composers such as Antonín Dvorák and Oscar-winning director Milos Forman. 
 
Visitors can enjoy classical concerts, excellent jazz or even experience a traditional Marionette puppet show. There are numerous museums and galleries, including the Kampa Museum located on the banks of the Vltava River, the National Gallery, the House of the Black Madonna and the Jewish Museum. 
 
Sightseeing
Not to be missed are the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St Vitus’s Cathedral and the beautiful Old Town Square, all of which are located within the city centre.
 
If you have time, you can take a boat to Kampa Island, admire the view from the top of Petrin Hill or simply meander through the narrow streets and soak up the atmosphere. No trip to Prague is complete however without visiting one of the many beerhalls, cafes and teahouses that play an integral part in city life.
 
Getting around
Prague can easily be explored on foot – however if you are going further afield the city has an excellent public transport system.
The metro system is complemented by a network of trams and buses, which provide a 24-hour service.*
 
* Complimentary metro passes, for the duration of the Conference, are included in the registration fees for delegates and registered guests.
 
 
Language
Czech is a Slavic language written using the Latin alphabet.
 
In Prague and the bigger Czech towns, most locals will know a few basic phrases in English, particularly young Czechs who learn English in school as a required subject. Many older people still speak some Russian and German, while Spanish and French are spoken in many hotels.
 
Food and drink
International cuisine is widely available in Prague and there are plenty of restaurants serving world-class fare. However, visitors should take time to sample some traditional Czech dishes, such as roast pork with pickled cabbage and dumplings, baked goose, goulash and filled pancakes for dessert. The Czech Republic is famous for its beers – Staropramen, Pils and Budweiser Budvar are brewed here – and also for its wines, brandies and liqueurs, such as Becherovka. 
 
Nature
The Czech Republic is at the geographical centre of Europe and is bordered by Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Austria. It boasts a beautiful and diverse landscape with stunning mountains, rich forests, rivers, caves and canyons which make it perfect for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and other outdoor pursuits. The Krkonoše Mountains and Šumava National Park are two of the
most popular areas to visit.
 
The Czech Republic is also famous for its spa towns, which are built around natural mineral springs and known for their healing powers. 
 
History
The Czech Republic has a population of 10.3 million and in its current state is one of the youngest European countries. The ‘velvet revolution’ of 1989 marked the end of 40 years of communism and 1993 saw the ‘velvet divorce’ from Slovakia and the birth of the Czech Republic as an independent country. In May 2004, the Czech Republic became a member of the European Union.