Faculty and arbitrators teach Brazilian judges about Scots legal system

The Association of Brazilian Magistrates (AMB), which represents all levels of the Brazilian judiciary, chose the United Kingdom as the venue for its second International Congress.

After a series of events in London, the delegates moved north of the border for presentations in Parliament House, the Signet Library, Edinburgh University and Stirling University.

James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates (pictured above), gave a talk about the advocates’ profession, while David Parratt, the Faculty’s director of training and education, outlined civil procedure in the Scottish courts.

“The academic and practical requirements for admission as an advocate reflect the expectation that any advocate has the right to represent accused persons and litigants in any civil or criminal court in Scotland,” said Mr Wolffe.

“And, although most advocates start their careers as solicitors, in order to become advocates, they must undergo a specialist training course lasting up to nine months which is specifically tailored to skill in advocacy.”

Dr Parratt took the judges through the court procedure of the Court of Session, and explained the overall scheme of civil justice.

He told the visitors that civil procedure in Scotland placed great emphasis on the form of the written pleadings.

He explained: “A party cannot lead evidence of matters not covered in the pleadings. Parties have to ensure that their pleadings are sufficient and relevant.”

Brandon Malone, chairman of the Scottish Arbitration Centre (pictured right), meanwhile gave a presentation on Scottish arbitration to the delegation.

Mr Malone said: “I was very happy to accept the Judicial Institute for Scotland’s invitation to speak on behalf of the centre at this event, and to share the Scottish experience of arbitration and ADR with the Brazilian audience.

“I was especially pleased to be able to be able to report on the progress of our energy arbitration project, and that the ICCA Congress, hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2010 will be coming to Edinburgh in 2020.”