Get ready for the 21st Century Bar Conference

BOOKINGS are now open for this year’s 21st Century Bar conference which is likely to prove as popular as ever with a host of expert speakers and a diverse programme.

The theme for this year’s conference, chaired by Graeme McWilliams, is “Doing the Right Thing, for the Right Reasons” and the programme has been split into four different sections, namely Introduction, Righting Wrongs, Virtuous Conduct, and The Future.

The Treasurer of Faculty, Ruth Crawford KC, will open the conference, welcome delegates and introduce the keynote speaker, the Rt. Hon. Dorothy Bain KC, Lord Advocate.

The Keeper of the Library, Neil Mackenzie KC, will deliver a presentation on ethics and inclusivity in the morning and return to the podium to discuss the invaluable pro bono work being done by the Faculty’s Free Legal Services Unit later in the day. Bruce Langlands’ presentation will cover personal injury, a talk on solicitors’ negligence will be delivered by Chris Paterson, and the agenda will also include a regulatory crime update. Frances McMenamin KC’s presentation will include a discussion around legal aid shortages.

Also on the programme is a talk by Roddy MacLeod on adult financial protection, which will be followed by a presentation on governance by Almira Delibegovic-Broome KC. 

‘The Future’ session in the afternoon will see current devils Rachel Breen, Alex Critchley and Ross Mitchell join a discussion on the future of the Bar. Antonia Welsh, Emma Boffey, Emily Bradbury and Fergus Whyte will give an update on the activities of, and the road ahead for, the Junior Bar Association. 

Sheekha Saha and Vlad Valiente from the In-House Lawyers Committee at the Law Society of Scotland will deliver the closing remarks.

The 21st Century Bar Conference 2022 will be hosted in person at the Mackenzie Building on Friday 2 December from 9 am to 4.30 pm and attendees can also opt to join via Zoom. The conference has been accredited with 6.5 hours CPD. Further details on the programme and how to register can be found here.