The conference aimed at inspiring and providing a platform for international discussion on two questions which have proven crucial in the COVID-19 pandemic all around the world: a) what rules can be used to prioritise patients if there are not enough resources (such as health professionals and medical devices) in health care systems, and b) what are and should be the legal liability implications in this context. Nineteen lawyers presented fourteen national reports from Europe, both Americas, Africa, and Australia. In the special guests’ sections, three intensive care experts (from Bergamo, Prague, and New York) and bioethicist Arthur Caplan shared their unique experiences and ideas.

Structured national reports and special guests’ essays will be collected in a post-conference publication.