Faculty to host Four Jurisdictions Conference this weekend

Barristers and judges from Belfast, Dublin and London will be in Edinburgh this coming weekend as the Faculty of Advocates hosts the annual Four Jurisdictions Conference.

The conference is held annually in one of the participating countries, and this year it is once again Scotland’s turn to welcome guests from the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, and Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court in England & Wales.

Around 65 visiting barristers and judges will join members of Faculty and the Scottish bench from 10-12 May, for an event titled "Four Jurisdictions/Four Questions". The questions are:

• Sentencing – principles and practice. Is judicial discretion being eroded?
• Sport – the law’s increasing involvement. Good or bad?
• Law officer – what are they for?
• Sexual abuse – elderly men prosecuted for long ago transgressions. Fair, reasonable, proportionate?

"This, in my own experience, is an excellent event, professionally and socially, and I am very much looking forward to showing Scottish hospitality to our friends," said Gordon Jackson QC, Dean of Faculty.

"Four Jurisdictions is unique in that it brings together judges and advocates to discuss and debate a whole range of important topics.

"Each session will have a speaker from each jurisdiction and time for general discussion. The discussions are invariably stimulating and thought-provoking. I am sure the outcome will be a conference which is both instructive and informative."

He added: "Equally valuable is the opportunity for advocates and judges to meet informally – the friendliness and conviviality really helps make Four Jurisdictions a very special event.

"The result for all of us is a better understanding of how different jurisdictions deal with issues affecting lawyers everywhere. That better equips all of us to deal with problems in our own jurisdiction."