Britain's best known legal correspondent and commentator on the law, Joshua Rozenberg, will be guest speaker at an evening event to be held by the Devon & Somerset Law Society on Saturday 7th June, as part of their bi-centennial celebrations.
The 2008 Bicentenary Lecture is to be held at Streatham Court, Exeter University, at 18.30 on Saturday, 7th June and the subject will be "Law at a time of great change".
The lecture forms part of an annual legal weekend conference, attended by European lawyers, together with their partners and members of the Devon & Somerset Law Society.
Alec McNeill, President of the Devon & Somerset Law Society said: "This is a very special year for our members and we are delighted that Joshua Rozenberg has accepted our invitation to deliver the 2008 lecture."
"Our bi-centennial celebrations are being held at a time of unprecedented change for the legal profession.
"The Legal Services Act, the Criminal Justice Bill and the setting up of the Legal Services Board are just some examples of the changes which we are having are having to absorb."
"The Devon & Somerset Law Society plays an important role in managing that change by organising regular seminars to help its members keep themselves up to date with current developments in the law."
"We are also pleased to host our European colleagues. The Society enjoys strong links with a number of European law societies and in these increasingly complex and difficult times, the opportunity to share and learn from each others' experiences is of great value."
Joshua Rozenberg said: Within days of my lecture, Parliament will be asked to decide whether pre-trial detention for suspected terrorists should be extended from 28 days to six weeks."
"This is just the latest challenge our lawmakers must face in balancing individual liberties against public protection. It is an issue that the UK's new Supreme Court may have to tackle in little more than a year from now - perhaps with the aid of further human rights legislation promised by both main political parties. Soon afterwards, the new Legal Services Board will begin work, ending the status of a self-governing profession that solicitors in Exeter have enjoyed for two hundred years. Never was there a more exciting time to be writing about the law."
The Society held its first meeting in 1808 as "The Exeter Law Association" with 26 local lawyers and over the next 200 years has played an important and ever-increasing role in representing solicitors in Devon.
Its most recent expansion came at the beginning of this year when it was joined by the Somerset Law Society and with a membership of 1,076, it is one of the UK's leading local law societies.
Lawyers from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Poland and Spain will assemble in Exeter on Friday, 6th June and will attend various events (See Editor's Notes) over the weekend.
Media Contact:
Alec McNeill on 01271 324143/07979 746205
Pat Nettleton - 07866 752314
Editor's Notes:
The Devon & Somerset Law Society represents 1,076 solicitors across the two counties.
Joshua Rozenberg was the BBC's legal correspondent for 15 years, before moving in 2000 to The Daily Telegraph, where he continues to write a weekly column as the newspaper's legal editor. He also writes a regular feature for The Law Society Gazette.
Joshua trained as a lawyer before becoming a journalist and is often the first port of call for broadcasters faced with a breaking legal story. After taking his law degree at Oxford, he trained as a solicitor, qualifying in 1976. He holds an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Herefordshire and is an Honorary Bencher of Gray's Inn.
European Lawyers Weekend:
Lawyers will be meeting during Friday 6th June, to discuss the threats caused by terrorism and how the different legal systems attempt to deal with it. They will hear from a Police Terrorism expert, a Judge with specialised experience and from lecturers from Plymouth University.
After the day's proceedings, they will attend a private Civic Reception at 18.00 hosted by the Lord Mayor of Exeter at the Guildhall, Exeter, followed by a performance by the Torbay Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Trial by Jury.
Saturday 7th June - 18.00 - Bicentenary Lecture with Joshua Rozenberg at Streatham Court, University of Exeter.
Sunday 8th June - Legal Sunday Service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter when the legal profession process in full ceremonial dress.
The Society is actively encouraging young people who are considering careers in law and through the law schools of both Exeter and Plymouth Universities, provides support to assist potential lawyers in the development of career opportunities.
The Society offers a comprehensive selection of training events and seminars throughout the year.
Website: www.dasls.com
Press release prepared and issued on behalf of Devon & Somerset Law Society by Pat Nettleton, South Hams Public Relations -
Tel: 01548.580827/07866 752314
E-Mail: patnettleton@members.shines.net
