Registration is now open for 21st Century Bar Conference 2026
Registration is now open for the Faculty of Advocates' annual 21st Century Bar Conference, which will take place on Monday 7 December 2026 at the Mackenzie Building in Edinburgh.
News and Responses
All the latest news from the Faculty of Advocates
A history of service: Scottish pro bono exhibition
To mark the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week, the Faculty of Advocates will host a special exhibition exploring more than 600 years of pro bono work in Scotland.
AI, fire and rehire, and more: Employment Law Group Conference 2026
From artificial intelligence in employment tribunal proceedings to forthcoming changes to statutory time limits and the latest position on fire and rehire, the Faculty of Advocates Employment Law Group Annual Conference 2026 will explore significant developments currently shaping employment law.
International legal community condemns US sanctions against the International Criminal Court: Joint Statement
The undersigned organisations strongly condemn the latest sanctions imposed by the US government, implemented through the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), against the International Criminal Court (ICC), announced on 9 October 2026.
New Clerk of Faculty
David Welsh has been elected as the new Clerk of the Faculty of Advocates.
Lord President highlights challenges facing justice system
Speaking at Parliament House at the Opening of the Legal Year this week the Lord President warned that Scotland's courts were facing significant pressure from rising numbers of serious criminal cases, describing current demand as "unprecedented" and adding that further reform was now essential.
The internet is not a defence to assault
I recently had the unnerving experience of addressing 200-plus S5 and S6 school pupils on the subjects of sexual consent and toxic masculinity. We have another school that wants to hear the same presentation this week.
New King's Counsel and Honorary King’s Counsel appointed
SIXTEEN new King’s Counsel have been appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of First Minister John Swinney. The new King’s Counsel appointees include Faculty Members Ross Anderson, Jonathan Broome, Ewen Campbell, Wendy Culross, Gregory Farrell, Nicola Gilchrist, Paul Harvey, Lesley Irvine, Kenneth McGuire, Lynsey Rodger, Barney Ross, Elisabeth Roxburgh, Michael Upton, and Timothy Young. Graeme Brown, Solicitor Advocate and Leanne Cross, Solicitor Advocate, were also among the new King’s Counsel.
High school pupils encouraged to understand consent and consequences
Schoolchildren at an Edinburgh high school listened intently during a recent presentation aimed at helping them understand consent, recognise the legal risks of harmful sexual behaviours, and understand the serious consequences of sexual offending.