About IAML
Membership of the IAML is by invitation only. Lawyers who are interested in joining the Academy are asked to submit information about their legal practice, and must satisfy established criteria for membership to obtain the approval of the main Board of Admissions. Applicants from the US, Europe and Canada must also obtain the approval of the regional Chapter. The process is a rigorous one, designed to ensure that the very high level of expertise within the Academy is maintained.
Existing fellows are encouraged to apply for judicial fellowship on appointment to the bench, or for non-practicing fellowship on retirement. The experience and authority which these fellows bring to the Academy is highly valued, and they make a significant contribution to Academy meetings.
Members
Since 1986, the IAML has grown steadily, both in terms of the countries represented and in terms of the overall membership. Originally, most of the members were from the United States and the United Kingdom, but the number of countries now represented is 31 and the Academy has over 480 fellows. The Academy currently has 3 regional organisations, or chapters: a US Chapter with over 250 fellows from 34 states; a European Chapter with over 130 fellows from 18 different countries; and a Canadian chapter with over 30 fellows. Over 50 Academy fellows practice outside the USA, Europe and Canada, namely in Australia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.
It is hoped that many more countries will be represented in due course, as we wish our fellowship to contain the best and most respected international family law practitioners from around the world. For ease of communication, it is a requirement that all fellows include English among their languages.
Benefits
The Academy enables fellows handling international family law to obtain legal assistance of the highest calibre in another country. Fellows of the Academy each receive a list of fellows, the Certified List, which is updated annually. This acts as a guide to the most prominent individuals worldwide practising matrimonial law. A number of governments and other professional bodies are also now using the Academy membership list to locate family law specialists throughout the world.
The Academy contains a wealth of experience of international practice, and fellows frequently seek advice from other fellows on questions ranging from points of practice to identifying possible contact names in those countries not yet represented. The Academy provides fellows with an invaluable network of contacts throughout the world.
In addition, the Academy keeps all of its fellows in touch with one another through regular newsletters, which advise fellows on major developments in family law in various countries, and on other topics of interest.
Meetings
The Academy holds an annual meeting, at a different venue each year, and the Chapters also meet annually, also at different venues. Each meeting includes a substantial educational programme on family law, in which fellows and guest speakers of the highest quality advise on family law in different countries, and compare the law on family topics in those countries.
These meetings provide a wonderful opportunity for fellows to update themselves on legal developments throughout the world, and also allow them to establish or renew contact with fellow international lawyers.
Active participation in Academy meetings provides the fellows with an enjoyable way to develop their professional life, both in terms of their personal network of contacts and of their legal knowledge.
Website
The website is another valuable source of information on the most respected international family practitioners in the countries represented, and promotes exchange of information between the fellows.
Law Reform
The Academy has made presentations both in the US and in England in relation to legal reforms, and sends representatives to relevant international conferences, promoting the harmonisation of law, particularly in financial matters. The Academy also comments to the media in its capacity as an organisation of family law specialists.