Zambia hosts the 21st Commonwealth Law Conference under the theme “The Rule of Law in Retreat? Challenges for the Modern Commonwealth”.
The conference which has attracted over 600 participants from 40 jurisdictions was officially opened today, Tuesday, 9th April 2019 by the President of the Republic of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu, at the Avani Hotel in Livingstone.
In her remarks, Chief Justice Mambilima welcomed both the local and international participants to an enriching conference which runs from 8th April 2019 -12th April 2019.
She congratulated the organizers for an all-inclusive conference which interrogates an array of topics in different fields of law such as Corporate and Commercial Law; Constitutionalism, Human Rights and the Rule of Law; the Legal Profession and the Judiciary; Contemporary Legal Issues; Social Media; Brexit and its Legal Implications and; Cryptocurrency and its place in Commerce and Crime.
In his keynote address, President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu expressed his delight at the timely theme of the conference which encourages full participation of relevant groups, particularly women, he reiterated that the topics to be discussed are of relevance not only to the commonwealth, but the world at large.
Mr Lungu said that the importance of adherence to the Rule of Law, which dates to as far back at the 4,h century, cannot be over emphasized.
He reminded the lawyers on their role in upholding and protecting fundamental liberties, and the need for vibrancy and independence in the execution of their duties.
Among the notable participants of the 2019 conference are the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, QC, Her Ladyship the Hon Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs Justice Irene C. Mambilirna, the Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Sophia Akkufo, Hon. Chief Justice Ivor Archie, of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Madan B. Lokur, President Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute (CJEI), Hon. Sir DecIan Morgan, Lord Chief Justice, Northern Ireland, Rt. Hon. Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk, Scotland, Rt. Hon. Lord Burnnet of Maldon, Lord Chief Justice, England and Wales, and Rt. Hon. Sir Charles Byron, Chair CJEI, Caribbean.
Other notable participants are Hon Lady Justice Elizabeth Muyovwe, Hon Dr Justice Mumba Malila SC, Hon. Lady Justice Anne Sitali, Hon. Lady Justice Catherine Makungu, Hon. Justice Mwila Chitabo SC, Hon Mr Justice Matthew Chisunka, and Hon. Lady Justice Abha Patel, SC. Others are Mr Eddie K. Mwitwa, President of the Law Association of Zambia, State Counsel, members of the [AZ Council, and international Judges. CONTACT Kalumba Chisambisha-Slavin Public Relations Officer
