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Over 2,000 delegates from 120 countries assembled at the three-day Global Law Summit in London in February to mark 800 years of Magna Carta, the rule of law and the future of global business, whilst lawyers and human rights activists marched from Runnymede to Hampton Court in protest against legal aid cuts.
The “Not the Global Law Summit” march, organised by the Justice Alliance, opposed the “hijacking” of the anniversary into a “monstrous jamboree of corporate law, tax avoidance and global networking”. Several hundred protestors awaited the arrival of the march at Parliament, which held aloft an effigy of the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling MP, as King John in stocks.
Opening the summit, the Lord Chancellor celebrated Magna Carta as a cornerstone of our legal system and economy: “I am proud that Magna Carta has been one of the UK’s greatest exports: it has inspired and formed the basis of so many legal systems and it is cited and invoked whenever and wherever basic freedoms come under threat.”
“A thriving legal system and respect for the rule of law go hand in hand with economic prosperity. In fact, they are the necessary foundations on which a strong and resilient economy is built,” he said.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, focused his opening address on clauses 39 and 40 of Magna Carta, which set out the fundamental principles of the rule of law and access to justice, and their relevance to the summit.
“None of these issues raised by the two principles of the rule of law and access to justice is easy. Some are very uncomfortable not merely to governments but to others such as corporations with immense economic power. But the task requires a commitment from us all, governments, legislatures, lawyers, judges, businesses and citizens.
“There can also be no doubt that some will try to obstruct this commitment to the rule of law. To others it will merely be inconvenient. As to obstruction, our duty is clear; the obstruction must be fought against and removed; obstructions to justice are a denial of justice as Magna Carta teaches,” the Lord Chief Justice warned.
The Bar was represented despite a strong anti-summit current within the profession – the Bar Council was a summit partner, and the Advocacy Training Council and 39 Essex Chambers sponsored the event. Speakers drawn from across the Bar and judiciary scrutinised judicial review and the rule of law against the context of public funding cuts, and others showcased the Bar’s principles of independence and quality of practice.
Opening the summit, the Lord Chancellor celebrated Magna Carta as a cornerstone of our legal system and economy: “I am proud that Magna Carta has been one of the UK’s greatest exports: it has inspired and formed the basis of so many legal systems and it is cited and invoked whenever and wherever basic freedoms come under threat.”
“A thriving legal system and respect for the rule of law go hand in hand with economic prosperity. In fact, they are the necessary foundations on which a strong and resilient economy is built,” he said.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, focused his opening address on clauses 39 and 40 of Magna Carta, which set out the fundamental principles of the rule of law and access to justice, and their relevance to the summit.
“None of these issues raised by the two principles of the rule of law and access to justice is easy. Some are very uncomfortable not merely to governments but to others such as corporations with immense economic power. But the task requires a commitment from us all, governments, legislatures, lawyers, judges, businesses and citizens.
“There can also be no doubt that some will try to obstruct this commitment to the rule of law. To others it will merely be inconvenient. As to obstruction, our duty is clear; the obstruction must be fought against and removed; obstructions to justice are a denial of justice as Magna Carta teaches,” the Lord Chief Justice warned.
The Bar was represented despite a strong anti-summit current within the profession – the Bar Council was a summit partner, and the Advocacy Training Council and 39 Essex Chambers sponsored the event. Speakers drawn from across the Bar and judiciary scrutinised judicial review and the rule of law against the context of public funding cuts, and others showcased the Bar’s principles of independence and quality of practice.
Over 2,000 delegates from 120 countries assembled at the three-day Global Law Summit in London in February to mark 800 years of Magna Carta, the rule of law and the future of global business, whilst lawyers and human rights activists marched from Runnymede to Hampton Court in protest against legal aid cuts.
The “Not the Global Law Summit” march, organised by the Justice Alliance, opposed the “hijacking” of the anniversary into a “monstrous jamboree of corporate law, tax avoidance and global networking”. Several hundred protestors awaited the arrival of the march at Parliament, which held aloft an effigy of the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling MP, as King John in stocks.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
