When up to 750 international lawyers gather in London next week for the 39th congress of the Union Internationale des Avocats, it will probably be the biggest event in that organisation's history.

Ironically, however, few lawyers in the host country will have heard of the UIA, let alone have much of an idea of what it is about.The simple explanation for that wide-spread ignorance is that the roots of the almost 70-year-old UIA are in the civil code traditions of continental Europe.

Historically, lawyers with an international interest have usually taken one of two paths -- common law practitioners joi ning the International Bar Association and their civil law counterparts usually opting for the French-language dominated UIA.However, during the last decade that delineation has become much more blurred.

Christopher Jackson, a partner at City firm Richards Butler and the organiser of the UIA London congress, explains that over the last few years cross-over membership between the two groups has been on the rise.

Both organisations have begun to look at the other's strong points with the UIA showing a greater interest in recruiting common law jurisdiction members and, likewise, the IBA taking a greater interest in civil code traditions.Still, there is no denying the IBA's greater numbers of individual members.

It boasts some 17,000 lawyers, far outweighing the UIA's more modest 3500.

Nonetheless, the UIA claims more member law societies and Bars: some 300 to the IBA's 160.

As the two organisations move closer together in their catchment groups, could there ever be a marriage? Mr Jackson is doubtful: 'Both organisations respect each other very much, but I do not envisage a merger.

There is healthy competition for members and delegates between the two.'The UIA's broadening appeal is reflected in its choice of recent presidents.

This year Garry Downs QC, one of Sydney's most prominent silks, is in the top slot.

He is building on a process begun six years ago by Ian Hunter QC -- only the second UK president of the UIA.

Mr Hunter aimed to mould the organisation into a more multilingual, multi-cultural body which would appeal to a greater number of common law practitioners.Mr Downs is reluctant to draw direct parallels with the IBA, but he maintains that his organisation's strong point is its increasing ability 'to bring together a large range of cultural groups from diverse legal backgrounds.

This will be the largest congress in the organisation's history [just outstripping its two immediate predecessors in San Francisco and Marrakesh], and it is encouraging that it is happening in a common law country.'But the European connection is also one of the group's main strengths.

Mr Jackson points out that by having a strong background in continental law, the group should become attractive to those UK lawyers -- and non-European lawyers -- who are taking an increasing interest in European legal traditions.Mr Jackson acknowledges that the name of the organisation itself is a hurdle the UIA must overcome if it is to recruit more lawyers from common law backgrounds.

There are currently only about 250 UIA members throughout the three UK jurisdictions.

And indeed, the continental Europeans, and the Paris Bar in particular, still form the bulk of the organisation's support.That backing is reflected in the London conference delegate list with French lawyers leading the way.

But they are followed by strong support from lawyers in Germany and Holland.

And, so far, about 80 UK delegates have signed up along with 60-odd from Australia and another 50 from the USA.

However, an average delegate profile is difficult to determine.

Mr Jackson says there is a very broad mix in UIA membership, with delegates including 'senior partners from the big European law firms to partners from the two-man bands from Montpellier or Thessaloniki'.The conference will follow past form, with four plenary sessions covering the profession, legal business and human rights.

The session on internal issues affecting the international legal profession will look at lawyers' competence and entrance into the profession.

The business law session will tackle fraud and the fi nancial markets and will include a timely look at the field of derivatives.

Conference organisers will devote the entire human rights session to the field of genetic engineering and bio-technology.

There will also be a special session on the media, with an emphasis on regulation, cross ownership, competition and copyright.A group of heavyweight speakers is provided for sessions throughout the four days.

Scheduled to kick off at the plenary on the profession will be Bar Chairman Peter Goldsmith QC and Law Society Past President Rodger Pannone.

Highlighting the business session on financial services will be former Bar Chairman and current chairman of National Westminster Bank Lord Alexander QC.

Scheduled to join him is Mary Schapiro, chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.The organisers proudly maintain that the bio-technology sessions will include more speakers who are doctors and scientists than lawyers.

One of the main participants will be Dr LM Singhvi, the Indian high commissioner in London, who was responsible for overseeing body parts legislation through the Indian Parliament.David Mellor QC MP will lead discussions at the media session which will also include leading members of the cable industry.For more information on attending the conference, contact Mr Jackson on 0171 247 6555.