International

Jane Treleaven and Sa’ad Hossain report on the International Council of Advocates and Barristers’ advocacy-themed World Bar Conference.  

The International Council of Advocates and Barristers arranges a World Bar Conference every two years. This year’s conference was devoted to the theme of advocacy itself with participation from skilled and superlative advocates from around the world. 

David Wurtzel on listening to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in a panel discussion on the rule of law organised by the LSE and the Burma Justice Committee.  

‘We cannot escape from the rule of law’, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stated when taking part in a ‘roundtable discussion’ in a packed Peacock Theatre on June 19, during her historic visit to the United Kingdom. She was one of the six people who appeared on the panel and what she had to say was heard last. ‘I will listen’ she declared at the beginning. 

When Graeme Hall was asked to coordinate a project on death row in Uganda, he expected the prisons to be desperately depressing places. Little did he realise that the court room could be just as bad.  

In 2011, I was extremely fortunate to be selected by the Centre for Capital Punishment Studies (CCPS) to become the coordinator for a project on death row in Kampala, Uganda. CCPS is an NGO and research department within Westminster Law School which undertakes numerous pioneering activities globally in support of moves to abolish the death penalty. During six months in Uganda, I started a project which aims to increase the capacity of Ugandan defence lawyers representing those charged with capital offences (known as ‘state briefs’). This article offers a flavour of my experiences in a country whose immense beauty is mired by a brutal and bloody recent past, and whose justice system remains shackled by antiquated colonial laws, practices and prejudices. 

John DeStefano, an American lawyer and Pegasus Scholar, recalls for Counsel his experiences of English advocacy.  

The first time I met the Pegasus, it was not in the Inner Temple. It was in America. Nestled in a side street near the Charles River that runs through Boston is a little white house most locals don’t even notice. On top of the modest facade sits an emblem of the winged horse. This is one of America’s oldest living publications, a campus magazine we call The Advocate. 

David Hammond continues recounting his experiences as a UK representative for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and legal advisor to the European Union (EU) in Somalia for the establishment of the East African Legal Advisory Programme in support of the current EU counter-piracy programme.  

In the short period of time the EU team had in both Somaliland and Puntland, I had concentrated rounds of engagements with Ministers for Justice, Attorney Generals, Directors of Public Prosecution and Ministers of Interior and Security to name but a few. Their unified message was reflected in all of our meetings. In addition to the humanitarian assistance provided through the United Nations (UN) and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), further expert support for government departments was required in terms of monitoring, mentoring, training and advisory roles in the maritime and counter-piracy environment. Those departments needed western legal expertise to continue with the advancement of their own domestic legislation, judicial engagement in the lawless coastal areas and development of general legal skills. Consequently, our offers of such assistance were warmly welcomed. 

David Hammond recounts some of his experiences and lessons learnt as a UK representative and maritime legal advisor in Somalia.  

I have been in some of the world’s most dangerous places. I have worked amongst and around interesting people including common murderers, trained killers, potential war criminals and individuals who would not think twice about either seriously injuring or killing you without a hint of remorse. Up to three months ago, I undertook this with the benefit of the highly professional support network that was Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. As of early February however, this level of assurance and protection for undertaking day-to-day work effectively ended upon my retirement from the Royal Marines after 22 years, the last six of which were spent appointed as a naval barrister. 

“Advocacy, past, present and future – Constant values for a modern Bar” is the theme for this year’s ICAB conference, to be held in London in June. Desmond Browne QC offers a glimpse of what is in store.  

Every two years the International Council of Advocates and Barristers (“ICAB”) organises a conference in a different city around the globe. ICAB, currently co-chaired by Stephen Hockman QC and Noelle McGrenara QC of Belfast, is an organisation formed by the Bar Associations in those jurisdictions where there is an independent Referral Bar. Past conferences have been held in places as far apart as Edinburgh and Cape Town, and as Dublin and Hong Kong. The memorable fifth World Bar Conference was held in Sydney over Easter 2010. Little did I think, as I swallowed white wine and oysters at the opening reception on the terrace of the Opera House, that the next conference would be in London and I would end up holding the short straw of being the programme’s organiser. 

Graham Howard recounts his recent interview in Zimbabwe with the country’s minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Senator David Coltart.  

“Zimbabwe’s economy, although still in poor shape, has stabilised - inflation is down to below 4% and the economy grew 9% last year. Schools and hospitals are open again and life is gradually improving. Human rights abuses have lessened dramatically.” 

Senator David Coltart. 

Chairman of the Young Barristers’ Committee David Nicholls and  James Evans of the COMBAR Africa Committee report on their visit  to the Law Society of Zimbabwe’s Summer School in Nyanga.  

When I was asked by the previous Chairman of the Young Barristers’ Committee if I would like to visit Zimbabwe in order to launch the Buddying Scheme that has been set up by the Bar Council and the Law Society of Zimbabwe (“LSZ”), my first reaction was one of complete horror. For over 10 years, the only news from Zimbabwe has been dire: political and racial violence, endemic corruption, hyper-inflation and rigged elections have emptied the bread basket of Africa. 

When will immunity end for the human right violators? Sumon Akter investigates the situation in Nepal.  

The internal conflict in Nepal saw many Nepalese fall victim to the cruelty of those who are there to protect their rights and interests, as well as those claiming to fight for their rights. In 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) declared a “people’s war” against the “ruling classes”, which included the monarchy and the political parties. During this decade-long war the Maoist and the security forces committed acts of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other human rights abuses.