Four Jurisdictions weekend

The Faculty was a proud host of the 2015 Four Jurisdictions Conference, welcoming guests from Middle Temple in London, the Bar Council of Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Held annually in turn by each of the jurisdictions, the event is seen as a unique occasion when judges and counsel are brought together to discuss and debate a range of important issues.

Equally valuable is the informal aspect of the weekend, and the chance to catch up with old friends and to make new acquaintances.

This year's event proved as popular as ever, and the theme of "Conflicts and Tensions" attracted seven senior judges and the leaders of the Bar of each jurisdiction among the speakers.

The topics covered were Victim's Rights v Prosecutor's Objectivity, Judicial Accountability - Why, How and to Whom v Judicial Independence, Client's Wishes v Advocate's Duty, and Public Safety and Security v Fundamental Freedom.

Many people return to the Conference year after year, and diary dates are already being kept clear for 2016 when Middle Temple will be the host.

Gordon Jackson, QC, Vice-Dean of Faculty, who supervised arrangements for the event, said: "It was a very successful weekend. The Conference was first class and everybody enjoyed it. A lot of people put in a lot of hard work to make it such a success, and we are delighted that all the effort proved so worthwhile."

Our photograph shows, left to right, David Barniville, SC, Chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland, Gordon Jackson, QC, James Wolffe, QC, Dean of Faculty, Stephen Hockman, QC, Treasurer of Middle Temple, and Gerald McAlinden, QC, Chairman of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland.