Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association

Annual Dinner – 6^th February 2006

Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, the government’s independent reviewer of anti-terrorism legislation, was the guest speaker at the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association Annual Dinner on Monday 6^th February 2006 at the House of Commons.

Generously sponsored by a self-confessed non-lawyer Julia Goldsworthy MP it was a genial, fun and well-attended evening by legal and party luminaries. Ms Goldsworthy gave the toast to “Justice for All”.

Lord Carlile witty speech covered a wide range of serious and not so serious subjects, the latter including Cyril Smith’s penchant for expensive cheese, Air Lembit, the pitfalls of Preston Holiday Inn, and 20 things you need to know about Paddy Ashdown. In a graver tone, Lord Carlile gave a passionate defence of this country’s human rights lobby and asserted it is the strongest in the world. He advised of the need for the new terrorism bill to undergo a rigorous process of scrutiny as part of the legislative process. Lord Carlile urged the attendees to read his report at http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications1/publication-search/independent-reviews/laws-against-terror.pdf?view=Standard&pubID=287481 on the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, in particular Annex 2 which sets out the draconian terms of those who are subject to Control Orders. It is chilling reading.

Jonathan Marks QC, the Association’s hard-working Chair, gave an outline of the work of the Association this year, including a fringe meeting on Policing the Polluters at the Harrogate Conference, the 80 Club Lecture by Professor Bradbury on the constitutional implications of the Hunting Act and the Conference in April on the Legal Response to Terrorism. He urged the attendees to ensure they did not embarrass the non-lawyer Ms Goldsworthy by handing over their cheques for the event!

For further details of future LDLA events, email joldlaadsec@aol.co.uk.

Joanna Shaw