Introduction by the editor - Newsletter December 2014

Dear friends,

The following newsletter has two main subjects:

The first is the situation of our colleagues in two hotspots of the world, one being Hong Kong, the other being Kurdistan. 

Paul Shieh of the Hong Kong Bar Association presents his view on the situation in Hong Kong and Ahmed Abdulqader Abdulla has been so kind, despite the devastating situation in Erbil, to give us his point of view of the position of the legal profession in Kurdistan in times of war.

We are grateful for both our colleagues in Hong Kong and Kurdistan that despite the difficult times they have taken the time to give us this insight and present such an interesting perspective.

The second main theme is a review of the Florence Congress, presented by the Defense of the Defense team, here Jaqueline Scott, the main theme discussed in Florence, presented by Bernard Grelon and last but not least the conclusions of Family Law Commission and the Commission on International Arbitration. These two are just examples of well organized and highly interesting sessions that have taken part during the Congress and they present at the same time the value of such an exchange of the professional point of view from colleagues worldwide, an issue that is more and more required from the legal profession.

The reports on the situation in both Hong Kong and Kurdistan certainly represent the personal point of view of the author, this can necessarily not represent an official point of view of the UIA.

We would like to wish any members and supporters of the UIA a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With best regards

Dr. Marcus Schriefers