Scottish solicitor Ruthven Gemmell to lead Europe-wide lawyers' body
Edinburgh solicitor Ruthven Gemmell, a Past President of the Law Society of Scotland, has been elected as President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for 2017.
The CCBE is the representative organisation of lawyers from across Europe through its member bars and law societies from 32 full member countries, and 13 further associate and observer countries. It provides opportunities for bars and law societies to work together, exchange information, and share expertise.
Mr Gemmell, a partner in Murray Beith Murray, was President of the Law Society in 2006-07, and became a member of the UK delegation to the CCBE after his term ended. He headed the UK delegation from 2010 to 2013, when he was elected as third vice president of the CCBE, since when he has moved up the presidential team until his election to the top post for 2017 was confirmed on Friday.
He is the third Scottish lawyer, but the first solicitor, to hold the post. David Edward QC, from 1978-80, and Colin Tyre QC in 2007, have previously served as President.
Speaking after his election he commented: “It is a tremendous honour to have been elected as President of the CCBE, representing more than a million lawyers across Europe.
“It’s important that we have the opportunity to come together to share information, discuss common issues and develop an understanding of neighbouring jurisdictions, particularly during this time of enormous economic and political change.
“The CCBE has worked with law societies across Europe, including the Law Society of Scotland, to highlight key issues such as the protection of client confidentiality in the digital age, the protection of lawyers and the rule of law around the world, and the effect of new technologies on the role and function of the legal profession. We have supported a range of initiatives, including the ‘Find a lawyer’ project, which helps clients or lawyers who are looking for cross-border legal expertise to find European lawyers in their own language, and the European Lawyers in Lesvos Project which was launched in July this year. This is an important project which sees lawyers from right across Europe travel to the Greek island to provide first instance legal assistance to migrants requiring international protection there.”
Eilidh Wiseman, President of the Law Society of Scotland, added: “I’m absolutely delighted for Ruthven. He is a superb advocate for the Scottish legal profession and will bring his wealth of talent, insight and experience to his role as CCBE president, representing lawyers in over 40 countries.
“The legal profession now operates on a global basis and, following the UK vote to leave the EU, it is important to ensure that we maintain links with our colleagues across the different European jurisdictions to share knowledge and best practice as well as continuing business interests.”
Ms Wiseman has also been appointed as the Law Society of Scotland representative on the UK delegation to the CCBE, one of six UK delegates.