UCL Laws Events & CPD
The Annual UCL / Bindman LLP Debate
The UCL / Bindmans LLP debate has been running since 2005 and focuses on current issues in public law, human rights and public authorities' powers. Bindmans LLP was set up by Sir Geoffrey Bindman who is a visiting professor at UCL.
The debates have included:
- 2012: Freedom of the Press versus Privacy Rights
This event debated the issues surrounding self or statutory regulation of the press. It addressed such questions as how might the current system be reformed? Should regulation be scrapped altogether or is full statutory regulation the answer?
- Panellists included: Tessa Jowell, Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, the Shadow Minister for the Olympics, and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; Martin Moore, Director, Media Standards Trust; Max Mosley; Gill Phillips, Director of Editorial Legal Services, The Guardian
- Chaired by Hugh Tomlinson QC, Matrix Chambers
- 2010: New Rights for Old: Is it time to trade in the Human Rights Act?
This debate was set against the background of the Coalition programme for government that stated: We will establish a Commission to investigate the creation of a British Bill of Rights that incorporates and builds on all our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensures that these rights continue to be enshrined in British law, and protects and extends British liberties. We will seek to promote a better understanding of the true scope of these obligations and liberties.
- Panellists included: Vera Baird QC, former Solicitor General; Prof. Vernon Bogdanor CBE FBA, University of Oxford; Anthony Speaight QC, 4 Pump Court Chambers.
- Chaired by Robin Lustig, Presenter, The World Tonight
- 2009: To be or not to be: A decision for the individual or the State?
New Rights for Old: Is it time to trade in the Human Rights Act?
This debate looked at the issues surrounding assisted dying, at a time when the House of Lords was debating the Coroners and Justice Bill's Assisted Dying Amendments.
- Panellists included: Dr Rob George, Care not Killing; Dr Evan Harris MP; Sir Ken Macdonald, former Director of Public Prosecutions; Katherine Araniello, artist and disability rights campaigner; and Edward Turner, Dignity in Dying
- Chaired by Marcel Berlins
- 2008: Liberty and Security: Are the Rules of the Game Changing?
- Panellists included: Shami Chakrabarti, Liberty; Prof. Conor Gearty, LSE; Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, Independent reviewer of Terrorism Legislation; and David Blunkett MP, former Home Secretary
- Chaired by Robin Lustig, Presenter, The World Tonight
- 2007: Human Rights Culture – A Social or Legal Phenomenon?
- Panellists included: Dominic Grieve MP; Francesca Klug, LSE; Rabinder Singh QC, Matrix Chambers; and Sir Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission.
- Chaired by Robin Lustig, Presenter, The World Tonight
- 2006: Free Speech and the Political Process
- Panellists included: Claire Short MP; Beatrice Mtetwa, winner of Index Law Award 2006; David Leigh, Investigations Editor, The Guardian; John Lloyd, Financial Times.
- Chaired by Robin Lustig, Presenter, The World Tonight
- Panellists included: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown; David Pannick QC, Blackstone Chambers; Trevor Phillips OBE, Commission for Racial Equality; and Salma Yaqoob, Stop the War Coalition.
- Chaired by Robin Lustig, Presenter, The World Tonight