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Scotland hosts major criminal justice conference
25/06/2005
A major international conference on criminal law reform
will be held in Edinburgh over the next five days.
The 19th conference of the International Society for the
Reform of Criminal Law (ISRCL) begins in the Scottish
Parliament today.
The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC welcomed judges,
legislators and his colleagues from criminal justice
systems across the world. The First Minister will also meet
delegates and host an opening reception.
Mr Boyd said:
"I am pleased to be able to welcome criminal justice
colleagues from across the world to Edinburgh for this
five-day conference.
"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in
Scotland has a long and proud history of international
co-operation in the fight against crime, and of
contributing to the development of global networks. During
the course of this conference we will be addressing the
major issues which are faced by courts, prosecutors,
criminal lawyers and legislators the world over - from
developing victims' rights, and modernising courts, to
facing the challenges posed by serious and organised
crime."
Two hundred delegates from around 40 countries in
Africa, North America, Asia, Australasia and Europe will
take part in a range of debates and listen to speakers on
topics such as modernisation of criminal justice systems,
models of international co-operation and asset
confiscation.
ISRCL President, Damian J. Bugg AM, QC is the
Commonwealth of Australia Director of Public Prosecutions.
He said:
"This year's conference offers a packed programme of
discussions and workshops, and is an important opportunity
to discuss some of the major changes taking place in
criminal justice systems across the globe.
"The ISRCL annual conference gives legal professionals
from across the world an opportunity to meet and share
experiences, and discuss ways to improve and develop
justice systems internationally."
Speakers at the conference include the Attorney General
for England and Wales, Lord Goldsmith, senior lawyers from
the Crown Office, and SDEA Director Graeme Pearson.
Delegates will also hear from senior and high court judges
from the Gambia, Australia, and Nigeria, as well as
academics from Nigeria, Northern Ireland, the USA and South
Africa.
The International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law
is a non-governmental association of judges, legislators,
lawyers, academics and governmental officials who come
together to work actively on the administration of criminal
justice, both in their own jurisdictions and
internationally.
The ISRCL was formed in London in January 1988. The
administrative base of the Society is in Vancouver, Canada.
The last time the conference was held in Scotland was in
Edinburgh in 1990.