Terrorism, surveillance and the rule of law. Oh, and drinks
THE big guns of the law are riding into town this week. And, boy, they mean business.
Normally, legal matters are not something I would trouble Herald readers with, knowing many will suffer unhappy memories, often concerning the sad failure of supposedly sound “not guilty” pleas.
However, alibis akimbo, we draw your attention to the World Bar Conference of the International Council of Advocates and Barristers (ICAB), which takes place in Edinburgh from Thursday to Saturday.
Hosted by the Faculty of Advocates, the conference will hear speakers from across yon globe restate the importance of standing up for the rule of law. It all stems from the Edinburgh Declaration of 2002, a statement of international importance resolving that the independence of courts is essential to the functioning of democracies.
The declaration also pledged support to legal practitioners in all countries “where their capacity to practise and organise themselves freely and independently is under threat”.
This included backing the Bar Council and Law Society of Zimbabwe in their assertion of independence and commitment to restoring the rule of law. And it explicitly supported the Hong Kong Bar in its espousal of the same principles.
This week’s conference will also hear consideration of matters relating to terrorism and surveillance. And as if that were not grim enough, there are also social events to attend, including a drinks reception in Parliament Hall.
That’s the joint that used to host the old Scottish Parliament. You know, the one that voted itself out of existence.
At least the law remained independent, something of which Scots have always been proud. Indeed, the inaugural World Bar Conference took place in Edinburgh in 2002, so this year’s event is really a return to their origins for the members of ICAB.
The Lord Advocate is also having a do at the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle. And to cap it all with a fusty wig, there is a gala dinner at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.
Week Ahead
For more information on this year’s World Bar Conference, see www.advocates.org.uk