Faculty plays its part in major international legal event

It attracted 2,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, and featured names such as Aung San Suu Kyi and Ban Ki-moon, and the Faculty was delighted to have played its part at the Global Law Summit.

The major international event, held in London and supported by the Faculty, marked 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta and was hailed as an "opportunity to champion the Rule of Law as the cornerstone of a fair and just society."

A prestigious line-up of speakers included Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, the President of the UK Supreme Court, Chris Grayling, the Lord Chancellor, Boris Johnson, Lord Pannick, and Cherie Blair QC, while particular highlights were video addresses by Aung San Suu Kyi, of the National League for Democracy in Burma (Myanmar) and Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Dean of Faculty, James Wolffe, QC, and the Vice-Dean, Gordon Jackson, QC, attended the Summit, and the Faculty was involved in two presentations.

Along with the Bars of England & Wales and Northern Ireland, it debated "Law as a driver for integrity and development in government procurement." The speakers were from each of the home UK Bars, with Alistair Clark, QC, representing the Faculty. Mr Clark was recently appointed to chair the Faculty's newly-established International Committee.

The second event, "Interpreting commercial contracts - harmonisation or mutual respect?", presented by the Faculty, was chaired by Lord Pentland, Chairman of the Scottish Law Commission, with the speakers comprising Garry Borland, QC, and Ross Anderson, Advocate, Professor Hector MacQueen, Peter Rees QC and Keith Ruddock, General Counsel, Weir Group PLC.

The Scottish dimension to the Summit also featured presentations on digital justice and energy, presented by the Law Society of Scotland.