Faculty to stage event on Scotland in Europe after Brexit
Scotland’s place in Europe following Brexit is to be the subject of a special one-day conference organised by the Faculty of Advocates.
Expert speakers from politics, the law and academia are being lined up for the event on Friday 20 March in Parliament Hall, which aims to inform the public about the realistic prospects for Scotland’s future.
The primary focus will be on whether and, if so, on what terms Scotland could become an independent member of the EU. Topics covered in the sessions will include the criteria for EU membership, input from EU institutions and member states to the application process, individual issues such as currency and budget deficit, membership of the Council of Europe, and the timescale.
Those already confirmed to contribute to the debate include Professor Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Union and Labour Law at Trinity College, Cambridge, Dame Mariot Leslie of Chatham House, Professor Kirsty Hughes, Director of the Scottish Centre on European Relations, and Professor Andrew Scott, Professor of European Union Studies at Edinburgh University.
Journalist Alan Little will chair a panel discussion with members of the leading Scottish political parties.
Ronnie Clancy QC, of the event’s organising committee, explained: “With the possibility of another referendum on Scottish independence, we will explore the rules governing accession to the EU by a newly-independent country, the legal and economic conditions which would apply, and the politics of an accession application. We will also examine the effects of EU membership on the future relationship between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the United Kingdom.”
He added: “We have specifically set aside a block of invitations which will go to senior pupils from Scottish schools. We want to stimulate well informed debate amongst youngsters whose future prosperity may depend on the result of any independence referendum.”
Tickets, priced £35 each, can be booked at this link.