News In Focus
21 April 2009
Speakers unveiled for Law Society conference
The Attorney General will share a platform with Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini QC at the Law Society of Scotland’s 60th anniversary conference, "Law in Scotland", next month.
Baroness Scotland QC, the Attorney General, will speak about the many aspects of the role of the law officers, including the provision of legal advice to Government, the superintendence of the Crown Prosecution Service and other prosecuting authorities, and various public interest functions. She will examine the important contribution of pro bono work to upholding and promoting the rule of law, and will discuss the application of the rule of law in the context of the United Kingdom and its constituent parts.
The conference, on Friday 8 May and the morning of Saturday 9, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, will bring together a wide range of speakers under five main headings:
- The Rule of Law
- Business & Economy
- Law in the Community
- Leadership & Development
- The Future of the Profession.
Richard Henderson, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “The current economic downturn has had an enormous impact on many people working in law. However, it is important to remember the hard work and talent that Scottish solicitors contribute to the success of business, commerce and local authorities in Scotland.
“The conference is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of individuals working in law as well as bring together members from across the spectrum of legal professions. Holding a conference marking the 60th year of the Society seemed the ideal arena to look at law, not just here but in wider international context, the role it plays, those whom it serves and the challenges the future will bring.”
Other speakers
Sessions during the two-day event include a review of the civil court system by Lord Gill and a report on the international criminal court by Lord Bonomy.
Three times Olympic silver medallist rower and law graduate Katherine Grainger will give a talk on motivation to kickstart the Saturday. She will be followed by author and Times columnist, Richard Susskind, who will give the keynote address on the future of legal services.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP will then take to the stage along with Richard Susskind, the Society’s CEO Lorna Jack, Simon Di Rollo, stable director of Ampersand Advocates, and Graeme Garrett, partner and compensate director at Digby Brown, for a panel debate on the future delivery of legal services.