Welcome Note from the Chairperson of IMLC 2026 Organising Committee: “Maintaining Core Principles in a Time of Change”
The Malaysian Bar is once again organising its signature biennial conference — the International Malaysia Law Conference (“IMLC”) 2026. It is with immense enthusiasm that the Malaysian Bar presents the sixth edition of the conference, which carries the theme “Maintaining Core Principles in a Time of Change”.
IMLC has its origins in the Malaysia Law Conference, the inaugural edition of which was held in July 1971 and declared open by then-Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
The Conferences since 1971, a total of 20, have consistently featured themes reflecting the central issues of the day confronting the legal profession and society as a whole. In recent times, professional organisations have placed understandable and frequent emphasis on innovation in technology and its multifaceted effects on different spheres of society.
The time has now come to shift the focus toward preserving core principles amid the current climate of change and ensuring that advancements in society do not come at the expense of our founding principles. These principles include justice, integrity and the rule of law.
It is this concept that underpins the theme of IMLC 2026, namely: “Maintaining Core Principles in a Time of Change”.
The preservation of foundational principles in an age of rapid transformation will ensure that progress and development in society remain enduring, as being grounded in core values. The law functions as a central platform to safeguard core principles and serves as an anchor and guide in a period of constant change across technological, economic and social landscapes.
The theme of IMLC 2026 addresses the role of the law in safeguarding first principles in the face of the evolving demands of legal practice, advances in technology and shifting geopolitical and global trade dynamics. The Conference will comprise multiple streams addressing these issues, with discussions led by judges, legal practitioners and stakeholders, both domestic and international.
Delegates of IMLC 2026 can look forward to two Plenary Sessions and 33 Breakout Sessions, in addition to the Keynote Address and the 7th Raja Aziz Addruse Memorial Lecture on the opening day of the Conference. With three session streams and two session segments, the Conference will examine a diverse range of subjects — from best practices for lawyers in the age of artificial intelligence, to the role of the United Nations in contemporary international relations. There will be something that appeals to everyone.
We are pleased to present the detailed Conference Programme with the list of confirmed Speakers and Moderators (as at 18 June 2026), which is available here.
You are encouraged to register early and by 31 July 2026 to take advantage of the exceptional early bird rates, as listed below:
- RM1,560 for Members of the Malaysian Bar;
- RM1,320 for Members of the Malaysian Bar with fewer than seven years in practice;
- RM840 for pupils in chambers and law students;
- RM3,000 for non-Members;
- RM2,400 for members of international bar associations and law societies; and
- RM840 for accompanying persons.
Register here for individual or group registrations. We provide group discounts for the various categories of registrations for simultaneous registrations from the same law firm or organisation:
- Group discounts of 5% for three to five persons;
- 7% for six to 10 persons; and
- 10% for more than 11 persons.
The Malaysian Bar cordially invites you to join us at the IMLC 2026 to examine how best to navigate the changes around us while remaining rooted in the core principles that define our profession and society.
Thank you.
Gregory Das
Chairperson
Bar Council International Malaysia Law Conference 2026 Organising Committee
What is IMLC?
IMLC, a flagship event of the Malaysian Bar, has its origins in the Malaysian Law Conference, which began in 1971.
The inaugural Malaysian Law Conference was declared upon by the then-Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, on 15 July 1971. With the rapid advancement of the Malaysian economy and the meteoric rise of Asia, the Malaysian Law Conference evolved to keep up with the times.
In 2012, the Malaysian Law Conference was reimagined as IMLC, a turning point in the history of the series, establishing a new paradigm in the present era of increasing globalisation.
The IMLC logo consists of a segmented circular with gradients of shades of blue. The breaking sections of the circle represent how the law affects, and is affected by, three large sectors: government, economy and society. The emblem symbolises a congregation of minds and sharing of ideas in one fluid and dynamic environment.
Conference Venue
IMLC 2026 will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (“MITEC”). Located within the expansive KL Metropolis development, MITEC serves as a prominent economic hub and gateway to Southeast Asia, positioned at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s International Trade and Exhibition District.
MITEC is conveniently located within close proximity to major hotels, including the newly established Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, and the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, which houses the Kuala Lumpur High Court, among others. It is also connected to nearby retail outlets, offering a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, specialty stores, and other amenities for delegates’ convenience.
Address: Kompleks MITEC No.8, Jalan Dutamas 2, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: +6 03 6206 0100
Website: mitec.com.my
