The Four Jurisdictions Conference draws together judges and barristers from England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The event rotates between Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and London and the 2026 conference will be hosted by the Faculty of Advocates.
The Four Jurisdictions Conference 2026 will take place in Edinburgh from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May.
The Conference brings together barristers, advocates, and members of the judiciary from the Bars of Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Middle Temple, providing a forum for meaningful engagement across the four jurisdictions.
The programme is designed to encourage dialogue on issues of shared importance to the profession, including the independence of the Bar, the operation and funding of legal aid systems, and wider priorities such as diversity, regulation, and the continued development and promotion of the profession.
The Conference will open with a welcome drinks reception on Friday 15 May at Edinburgh Castle, situated on Castlehill, Edinburgh, offering attendees the opportunity to meet and connect in a historic setting.
On Saturday 16 May, the Conference will continue with four panel sessions held in the Mackenzie Building, situated just off the Royal Mile. Below are the scheduled sessions:
1. Juryless Trials
2. Family Law Cross Jurisdictional Challenges
3. Regulation of Social Media
4. Junior Bar Session
These sessions will feature leading judges and practitioners from across the four jurisdictions and will be followed by a Gala Dinner in Parliament Hall, bringing the day’s events to a close.
On Sunday 17 May, the conference will finalise with a talk from Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi, co-founders of the Witches of Scotland campaign and leading voices in uncovering the history of ‘witch’ trials in Scotland, as they explore the legal, cultural, and human legacy of one of the most significant, and troubling, episodes in Scotland’s judicial history. Drawing on their research, advocacy, and insights from their recent book How to Kill a Witch, they will discuss how the campaign has reshaped public understanding of this topic, invited broader engagement with Scotland’s legal heritage, and why these stories continue to resonate so powerfully with contemporary audiences.
You can access the registration page here: Four Jurisdictions Conference 2026
For further information - please click here.
MTYBA Members - Please note a discount code is available for MTYBA members. Please contact members@middletemple.org.uk for the discount code.
Members of the Middle Temple only.
TBC
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The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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