IAWJ Bi-ennial Conference 2012 Launch Dinner - 4 November 2011
The Association formally launched the next IAWJ Conference, to be hosted by the Association in London between 2 - 5 May 2012, with a dinner at the Drapers Company Hall, in the City of London. Members of the Association and their guests enjoyed a relaxing evening in splendid surroundings. The evening closed with a wonderfully entertaining speech from Mr Justice Adrian Fulford who reminded us that change can be achieved by a few committed and motivated people. Our thanks to all those who supported this event.
Reception at the Supreme Court - 6 May 2011
The Association hosted a very successful Reception to coincide with a Regional Meeting of the IAWJ Committee taking place in London that week. Members of the IAWJ Committee were able to meet with UKAWJ members and their guests in the splendid surroundings of the new Supreme Court building. Tours of the courtrooms, led by Lady Hale, added to the enjoyment of a memorable evening.
2011 AGM and Conference
The 2011 UKAWJ Annual Conference was held in Leeds. The theme of the Conference was ‘Issues in Mental Capacity and Mental Health’.
Dr Angelika Wieck, Consultant Psychiatrist, spoke on Psychiatric referral, assessment and management of mothers and babies in care and other proceedings; Professor Sue Bailey of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust gave a presentation on Young offenders - taking a developmental approach; Jonathan Butler, Barrister of Deans Court Chambers, Manchester, a part-time President of the MHRT provided A short introduction to mental capacity and mental health law. Law Commissioner Frances Patterson QC addressed the issue of A new legal framework for adult social care.
The Conference had an international dimension, and the Association were pleased to welcome Judges from Germany, two of whom gave a useful insight into how similar issues are dealt with under their jurisdiction. Judge Dietland Biesterfield provided an introduction to German Guardian's law, and Dr Maria Mammeri-Latzel gave an overview from the perspective of a judge of first instance.
Information about the Conference, together with papers and presentations by the speakers is available on our Downloads/Papers page.
2010 Autumn Outreach Meeting
On Friday 26 November 2010 your committee held its Autumn meeting in the Canada Room at Queens University, Belfast which had been kindly made available by the School of Law. In the afternoon our President, Lady Hale, gave a lecture entitled 'Welcome to the United Kingdom Supreme Court' attended by about 40 postgraduate law students and academics. Lady Hale gave a fascinating account of how the Supreme Court came to replace the House of Lords as the highest court in the United Kingdom. She also described how the building which had formerly been a courthouse was adapted and refurbished into the beautiful and functional building it now is.
The final event of the day was a dinner for 55 held in the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland. This was attended by members and judges from all levels of the judiciary and tribunals. We were particularly pleased to welcome the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan (who is a member of the Associaion) Lord Justice Higgins , 4 other High Court Judges and the Recorder of Belfast. We were also delighted that 5 judges from Ireland including Ms Justice Dunne and Her Honour Judge Yvonne Murphy (author of highly regarded Murphy Report) also attended. We were pleased to have Professor Colin Harvey, Head of the School of Law and Professor Sally Wheeler as our guests.
Many who were present have said how much they enjoyed the event.
© UK Association of Women Judges 2012
Printed on www.ukawj.org