Former Attorney General to speak in Exeter
The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP is coming to Exeter during the Magna Carta celebrations to speak on the theme “Magna Carta – do we need a new Charter?”
The former Attorney-General is known for his support of reform of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) but he is critical of the measures announced by the last Coalition Government, and in the recent Conservative manifesto, for the United Kingdom’s potential withdrawal. He argues withdrawal would undermine adherence to international law and would “call into question the devolution settlements for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which enshrine convention rights as governing all their actions”.
Recently re-elected as MP for Beaconsfield with an increased majority, Dominic Grieve has accepted an invitation from the Devon & Somerset Law Society (DASLS) to speak at the Magna Carta 800 celebrations at the Mint Methodist Church Centre in Exeter on the evening of Friday 12 June 2015.
DASLS President Will Michelmore said: “We are very fortunate to have someone of the stature of Dominic Grieve to speak at our Magna Carta event. He is an advocate for an international standard for human rights and is concerned about the effects of withdrawing from the ECHR.
“It will therefore be very interesting to hear his thoughts on the legacy of Magna Carta and its continuing influence on any future of human rights legislation”.
In a previous speech at Salisbury Cathedral in March on Magna Carta and Human Rights, Dominic Grieve said: “For all its challenges the Convention (ECHR) has proved and is proving to be an effective tool - perhaps the single and most cost-effective one currently available for promoting human rights on our planet.
“This does not, however mean that Magna Carta is redundant. As its principles can be clearly discerned in the text of the Convention, so its citing can add weight to arguments when important freedoms are called into question.”
Other Magna Carta events in Exeter between June 3-16 include a charity walk, a legal debate for students, an essay competition, an exhibition of early legal documents including a 17th facsimile of Magna Carta and the annual Legal Sunday Service and procession of legal dignitaries. Events have been organised by DASLS, Exeter Law School, Exeter University and Exeter Cathedral.
Wednesday 3 June: Exeter Magna Carta Legal Walk (www.swist.org.uk)
Thursday 11 June: MOOT, a legal debate for law students. 5-7pm, Exeter Guildhall
Thursday 11 June: Presentation of essay prizes, sponsored by Browne Jacobson Exeter Guildhall
Friday 12 June: Do we need a new Charter? Talk from Rt. Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP
and Magna Carta, Historical background, Professor Anthony Musson.
Mint Methodist Church Centre, 6-7.30 pm. Lecture sponsored by Ashfords, Kitsons, Michelmores and Wollen Michelmore.
Sunday 14 June: Legal Sunday Service and procession of legal dignitaries. Procession commences 11.20 am followed by a Reception for all participants at the Corn Exchange, Exeter, hosted by the High Sheriff of Devon & DASLS
Friday 12th June –
Tuesday 16th June: Exhibition of historic documents, Exeter Cathedral
