Colloquium on the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles

This colloquium took place in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 6 and 7 July 2008. It was held ahead of the Commonwealth Law Ministers and senior officials from 7 to 10 July 2008.

Click here for the final set of outcomes which has been termed the Edinburgh Plan of Action.

This colloquium examined the level of awareness and implementation of the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles in various member countries since they were endorsed by Heads of Government five years ago. It also considered the practical problems which arise in respect to preserving the independence of the judiciary and parliament, gender and ethical issues, accountability mechanisms and examples of good

The 10th anniversary of the Latimer House Guidelines on Parliamentary Supremacy and Judicial Independence was marked at the colloquium. It was also the five years since CHOGM endorsed the Principles. In 2005, Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed that the Latimer House Principles should form an integral part of the association’s fundamental values, which they again reiterated at their latest biennial meeting in Uganda last November.

The colloquium involved our various partner organisations - the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association. It was supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Scottish Executive.

Click here for the Commonwealth Secretary-General address.