Faculty flies flag for Scotland at IBA in Washington DC

The Faculty of Advocates has been helping to fly the flag for Scotland at the conference of the International Bar Association (IBA) in Washington DC.

The Dean of Faculty, Gordon Jackson QC, with the Vice-Dean, Angela Grahame QC, are among 6,000 delegates at the conference, which is billed as “the world’s most prestigious gathering of legal professionals.”

Mr Jackson has had a part to play at several events.

He spoke at a business networking reception – the UK Legal Services Delegation Reception – hosted by the Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen of Elie QC, and addressed a meeting for US delegates to promote Scotland as a jurisdiction of choice.

With other UK bars, he and the Vice-Dean co-hosted a reception in the British Ambassador’s residence, and he represented Scotland at the annual council meeting of the IBA.

Also, Mr Jackson gave a presentation on the need for specialist trial advocacy and the advantages of an independent referral bar.

He was appointed co-chair of the International Council of Advocates and Barristers (ICAB), while Ms Grahame was appointed secretary of both ICAB and the Forum for Barristers and Advocates.

The Vice-Dean attended the first Global Women Litigators Breakfast, and events on dispute resolution and arbitration advocacy.

“This conference has been of great value as it gives an opportunity for Scotland to take its place at the international table and put across what Scotland as a jurisdiction has to offer,” said Mr Jackson.