The IBA, headquartered in London, opened the new office as part of a global strategy to expand its network of international offices to serve regions more fully, and broaden contact with its members.

The IBA, established in 1947, is the world's leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA attempts to influence the development of international law reform and the future of the legal profession throughout the world. It has a membership reach of 30,000 individual lawyers, and more than 195 bar associations and law societies spanning all continents.

Commenting on the opening of the Dubai office, Fernando Pombo, IBA President, in Dubai for the opening, observed that:

"It is important to me that the IBA is accessible and geographically close to its members. The physical presence of an IBA office in the Middle East will enable us to better respond to the needs of our members there. We recently hosted the Islamic Finance in the Middle East conference in Dubai and, in time, will develop and deliver other tailored programmes like this which specifically address issues unique to the region."

Nasser Al Shaali, CEO, DIFC Authority added:

"We are committed to offering a hub of business excellence and the establishment of the IBA within the DIFC is in line with this strategy. The IBA is a world leading organisation and I am certain that legal practices within the DIFC and the rest of the region will see real benefits. Beyond the individual legal practices the IBA will play a significant role in developing the region’s legal framework with its invaluable knowledge of international best practice."

Faten Hani, CEO, DIFC Centre of Excellence stated that:

"The fact that the IBA is setting up an office within the DIFC is testament that the region has grown into a major financial centre and a unique jurisdiction. This is a major endorsement of the significance of legal practices within the Middle East and will be invaluable to the sector's growth in the region. The DIFC Centre of Excellence has attracted a number of high profile organisations within the professional services industry. The IBA is a welcome addition and truly strengthens our offering as a world class centre for education."

Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director noted:

"The opening of the Middle East office represents the culmination of several years of research and planning. It also represents a major investment by the IBA in the Middle East. It is essential for the IBA, as the global voice of the legal profession, to be engaged with regional developments around the globe. The new IBA Middle East Office in the prominent location of Dubai provides the IBA with the excellent advantage of being in close proximity to the leaders of the regional business community throughout the Middle East. This will be of enormous benefit to the IBA in delivering programmes throughout the region with greater clarity and understanding."

The IBA will hold its annual conference in Dubai in 2011 - the first time in the Association's history that the IBA Annual Conference will be held in the Middle East.