The Faculty of Advocates is hosting an event during the Edinburgh International Festival to look at the vital role played by the rule of law in world affairs.

Against a background of increasing turmoil in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa “The Rule of Law: What? Why? How?” will be chaired by the distinguished former Scottish judge Lord McCluskey.

It will include major contributions from David Marshall from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Sir Jeffrey Jowell, Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law.

Mr Marshall is the author of the recently published book – The International Rule of Law Movement. He was sent to South Sudan in 2011-2012 to lead the UN’s development of that country’s prison and justice system.

With a background in criminal and international human rights Mr Marshall also has extensive field experience in other post-conflict states, including Afghanistan, Iraq Kosovo and Nepal.

His book examines how the operation of the rule of law may clash with state sovereignty and how it can be undermined by lack of expertise, poor planning and execution.

Sir Jeffrey Jowell is one of the UK’s leading public law scholars. He has acted as constitutional adviser to a number of national governments in the Commonwealth, Asia and the Middle East. He has served as the UK member on the Council of Europe’s Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) where he advised on rule of law issues in a number of European states. As Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law since its launch in 2010, he has led it from its inception to its current position as a unique international body that promotes the rule of law.

The event is a joint venture between the Faculty of Advocates and The Bar Council of England and Wales and is being facilitated by Beyond Borders Scotland, an organisation which seeks to harness Scotland’s unique heritage in an effort to promote greater understanding and reduce conflict.

James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said: “The effective promotion of the rule of law in troubled parts of the world is one of the great challenges of our time. Jeffrey Jowell and David Marshall have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and it is a real privilege to welcome them to Edinburgh to speak on the subject. The Faculty of Advocates is very pleased to collaborate with the Bar Council of England and Wales and Beyond Borders Scotland on this timely event.”

The venue for the event, which will count for 1.5 hours CPD, is the Laigh Hall, Parliament House. The event will take place on August 25 from 17.30 to 19.30 and will be followed by a drinks reception hosted by the Faculty.

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