About

These are the guiding principles for the Group and its organisation:

  • The purpose of the Group is to bring together those directly concerned with the development and application of public law in Scotland for topical and informed debate on matters of common interest and concern
  • Membership of the Group is free and open to all interested parties, including legal practitioners, academics, students and public officials
  • Entry to events organised by the Group should be free to participants, with relevant costs (such as provision of venue, refreshments etc) being borne by the hosts
  • The Group should draw on material support from four key constituencies – solicitors, advocates, academics and government – with each of these being asked to host our activities.

As a general point, we are keen to encourage wide participation in the organisation and running of the Group and its programme activities.

Steering Group

The Group was founded and is current run by a small steering group.  The steering group currently consists of:

  • Professor Adam Tomkins, John Miller, Professor of Public Law, University of Glasgow;
  • Anna Poole, Advocate;
  • Gordon Downie, Partner, Shepherd and Wedderburn;
  • Paul Cackette, Deputy Solicitor to the Scottish Government;
  • Christine O’Neill, Partner, Brodies;
  • Lorna Drummond, Advocate.

The secretary to the steering group is Craig Fraser, Shepherd and Wedderburn and he can be contacted at craig.fraser@shepwedd.co.uk.

Calendar

The Group meets on a quarterly basis each spring, summer, autumn and winter. This is the outline calendar for the Group’s activities during 2010:

 

  • 28 January, “Public Inquiries”, Law Society of Scotland
  • 25 February, ”Bonus”Event, “Replacing the HR Act with a ‘British’ Bill of Rights”, Laigh Hall
  • April, “Public Law Aspects of the Prosecution of Crime”, Venue TBC
  • June, 2nd Annual Conference, Edinburgh Law School
  • October, “Implications of EU Principles for Scots Public Law”, Venue TBC

Each quarterly event takes place as an early evening meeting, lasting for 1½ to 2 hours with 2 or 3 speakers each talking for no more than 15-20 minutes. Apart from providing a venue, the host organisation also lays on some refreshments.

Participants at seminars held by the Group will be entitled to claim credit under the continuing professional development (CPD) schemes of both the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates.