We maintain and promote the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth.
Objectives
The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA) exists to maintain and promote the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession serves the people of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth countries share a substantial common ground in their legal systems. The CLA is committed to the preservation of the highest standards of ethics and integrity and to the furtherance of the rule of law for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
The CLA’s objectives, as enshrined in its Constitution, are to maintain and promote the rule of law in the Commonwealth by:
- Ensuring that a common bond of Commonwealth is preserved and fostered
- Strengthening professional links between members of the legal profession;
- Maintaining the honour and integrity of the profession;
- Promoting uniformity in the standards of professional ethics;
- Encouraging improved standards of education;
- Promoting the administration of justice and protection of human rights in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Harare Declaration of 1991, Milbrooke Action Programme of 1995 and the Latimer House Guidelines of the Commonwealth of 1998 (now referred to as the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the accountability of and relationship between the three branches of Government), and the Commonwealth Charter 2013.
Organisation And Secretariat
CLA seeks to uphold the rule of law by encouraging exchanges between members of the profession through projects, conferences and workshops and by driving improvements in legal education.
CLA regularly engages with other Commonwealth organisations on Commonwealth working groups and projects and is an accredited partner organisation of The Commonwealth.
CLA hosts a conference in a member state every two years. Our latest conference was in Goa, India in March 2023, and our next will be in Malta in 2025.
CLA also supports a number of smaller, regular events throughout the Commonwealth (see our events section).
The Headquarters and Secretariat
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association Headquarters can be contacted C/O Godfrey Wilson Ltd, 5th Floor, Mariner House, 62 Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4QD and conducts the day-to-day business of the Association under the direction of the Secretary General and the Executive Committee.
The Secretariat provides administrative services related to membership of the Association, represents CLA at public events and promotes and supports the organisation of the conference.
For general enquiries please email: info@commonwealthlawyers.com
If your enquiry relates to membership, please go to the membership page for further information.
Secretary General (SG)
The Secretariat is headed by the association’s Secretary General. The SG is responsible for the general management of the association’s activities including all projects and maintaining relationships with all external organisations including the official Commonwealth. The SG represents the CLA and its President at his request, attending events and meetings in his absence when necessary. The SG is one of only three full time members of CLA’s staff.
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) is a membership association.
Our funding comes predominantly from paid membership subscriptions, sponsorship and our regular programme of conferences and events.
The organisation comprises a governing council, executive committee and a secretariat. Members of the council and executive committee are representative of the breadth and diversity of the Commonwealth.
CLA Council members for the period 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2026 are as follows:
CLA Office Bearers
Title | Name | Country |
---|---|---|
President | Peter D. Maynard KC | The Bahamas |
Vice President Africa | Linda Kasonde | Zambia |
Vice President Americas | Laurie Pawlitza | Canada |
Vice President Australasia | Hasan Irfan Khan | Pakistan |
Vice President Europe | Mark Stephens CBE | England and Wales |
Hon. Treasurer | Maria Mbeneka | Kenya |
Africa Hub:
Jurisdiction | Name |
---|---|
Botswana | Currently vacant |
Cameroon | Currently vacant |
Gabon | Currently vacant |
The Gambia | Salieu Taal |
Ghana | Justin Amenuvor |
Kenya | Maria Mbeneka |
Kingdom of Eswatini | Currently vacant |
Lesotho | Currently vacant |
Malawi | Currently vacant |
Mauritius | Currently vacant |
Mozambique | Currently vacant |
Namibia | Currently vacant |
Nigeria | Joyce Oduah |
Rwanda | Julien Kavaruganda |
Seychelles | Currently vacant |
Sierra Leone | Currently vacant |
South Africa | Joanne Anthony-Gooden |
Saint Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha | Currently vacant |
Togo | Currently vacant |
Uganda | Currently vacant |
United Republic of Tanzania | Walter Chipeta |
Zambia | Currently vacant |
Zimbabwe | Currently vacant |
Americas Hub:
Jurisdiction | Name |
---|---|
Anguilla | Yvette Wallace |
Antigua and Barbuda | Cherissa Roberts Thomas |
The Bahamas | Kahlil Parker KC |
Barbados | Kaye A Williams |
Belize | Cheryl-Lynn Vidal |
Bermuda | Currently vacant |
British Antarctic Territory | Malcolm Simmons |
British Virgin Islands | Dancia Penn OBE,KC |
Canada | Trudi Pye |
Cayman Islands | Dr. Camille Stoll-Davey |
Dominica | Noelize N. Knight Didier |
Falkland Islands | Malcolm Simmons |
Grenada | Ruggles Ferguson KC |
Guyana | Teni Housty |
Jamaica | John Bassie |
Montserrat | Korah Galloway |
Saint Lucia | Renee T St Rose |
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | Malcolm Simmons |
St Kitts and Nevis | Delano Bart KC |
St Vincent and the Grenadines | René M. Baptiste CMG |
Trinidad and Tobago | Lynette Seebaran-Suite SC |
Turks and Caicos Islands | Sophie Stanbrook |
Australasia Hub:
Jurisdiction | Name |
---|---|
Australia | Fiona McLeod AO KC |
Bangladesh | Muddasir Hossain |
British Indian Ocean Territory | Currently vacant |
Brunei Darussalam | Currently vacant |
Fiji | William Wylie Clarke |
Hong Kong | Amirali B Nasir |
India | Jaideep Gupta |
Kiribati | Currently vacant |
Malaysia | Steven Thiru |
Maldives | Dheena Hussain |
Nauru | Barina Waqa Duburiya |
New Zealand | Currently vacant |
Pakistan | Hasan Irfan Khan |
Papua New Guinea | David Denniston |
Pitcairn Islands | Julia Charlton |
Samoa | Fiona Ey |
Singapore | Gregory Vijayendren |
Solomon Islands | Freliz Fakarii |
Sri Lanka | Upul Jayasuriya |
Tonga | Currently vacant |
Tuvalu | Filiga Taukiei Nelu |
Vanuatu | Currently vacant |
Europe Hub:
Jurisdiction | Name |
---|---|
Cyprus | Currently vacant |
England and Wales | Mark Stephens CBE |
Gibraltar | Lloyd M. DeVincenzi |
Guernsey | Currently vacant |
Isle of Man | Keira Gore |
Jersey | James Corbett KC |
Malta | Currently vacant |
Northern Ireland | Brian Speers |
Scotland | John Mulholland |
At Large:
Jurisdiction | Name |
---|---|
Australia | Mark Woods |
Bahamas | Bertha Cooper Rousseau |
Canada | Laurie Pawlitza |
England and Wales | David Greene |
Guyana | Melinda Janki |
Ex-Officio:
Title | Name | Country |
Hon. Life President | Colin Nicholls KC | England & Wales |
Hon. Life President | Dato Cyrus Das | Malaysia |
Hon. Life President | Ron Heinrich AM | Australia |
Hon. Life President | Santhaan krishnan | India |
Journal Editor | Dr Venkat Iyer | Northern Ireland |
Secretary General | Brigid Watson | England & Wales |
Members of the CLA Executive Committee 2022 – 2024:
Name | Title | |
Peter D. Maynard KC | President | The Bahamas |
Brian Speers | Immediate Past President | Northern Ireland |
Maria Mbeneka | Hon. Treasurer | Kenya |
Linda Kasonde | Vice President Africa | Zambia |
Laurie Pawlitza | Vice President Americas | Canada |
Hasan Irfan Khan | Vice President Australasia | Pakistan |
Mark Stephens CBE | Vice President Europe | England & Wales |
Brigid Watson | Secretary General | Northern Ireland |
John Almeida | England & Wales | |
Rene M Baptiste CMG | St Vincent & The Grenadines | |
Fiona Ey | Samoa | |
Ron Heinrich AM | Hon. Life President | Australia |
Muddasir Hossain | Bangladesh | |
Upul Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | |
Julien Kavaruganda | Rwanda | |
Santhaan Krishnan | Hon. Life President | India |
Mickaël Laurans | England & Wales | |
John McKendrick KC | Scotland | |
Chloe McMillan | YCLA Representative | Trinidad and Tobago |
Sophie Stanbrook | Turks and Caicos Islands | |
Salieu Taal | The Gambia | |
Steven Thiru | Malaysia | |
Pheona Wall | Uganda | |
Laurie Watt | Immediate Past Treasurer | England & Wales |
Mark Woods | Chair of the Papers Committee CLC25 | Australia |
The Council
CLA’s council is responsible for the policies of CLA and comprises 60 members including a President, 4 Vice Presidents, Honorary Treasurer and representatives of Commonwealth member countries listed above. In addition, the council has four Honorary Life presidents who are non-voting members of the council.
There are a small number of other non-voting members such as the immediate past president and the council may also co-opt additional non-voting members for their particular area of legal expertise or where the council has a vacancy in that jurisdiction. These members are listed as ‘ex-officio‘.
Council members meet in person in conference years and virtually on a regular basis. All members of the council are volunteers. Council members are subject to election by the general membership every two years. Members are generally nominated by the governing bodies of their jurisdiction. Council members serve for two years but are eligible for re-election.
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee are responsible for the day-to-day business and running of the association. The current Executive comprises voting members and ‘co-opted or ex-officio’ members who are non-voting members. Among its members are the Board of Directors for the CLA’s company limited. Members include senior working barristers and solicitors based in the Commonwealth. Members meet regularly throughout the year to offer their support and specialist legal knowledge to the association and to consider appropriate projects, interventions, and other general business of the association in line with CLA policies. Executive Committee members are volunteers and are appointed by the CLA’s council for a period of two years at after the council’s election and may serve more than one term of office.
Honorary Life Presidents
Throughout CLA’s history it has, on five occasions, recognised long service to the Association and the profession. Our honorary life presidents are considered by the membership to be persons who have distinguished themselves by their commitment and service.
In September 2007, Mr Colin Nicholls QC was made Honorary Life President of the CLA in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Graeme Mew, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
In April 2009, Dato Dr Cyrus Das was made Honorary Life President of the CLA in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the Association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Ron Heinrich, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong.
In 2015, Mr Soli Sorabjee was made Honorary Life President at the General Meeting in Glasgow. Mr Sorabjee’s lifetime commitment to the legal profession and defence of the rule of law was unanimously acknowledged by members in attendance.
In 2019, Ron Heinrich was made an Honorary Life President in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the Association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Santhaan Krishnan, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Zambia.
In 2023, Mr Santhaan Krishnan was made an Honorary Life President at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Goa in recognition of his enduring commitment to the Association and his tireless efforts to promote engagement throughout the Commonwealth.
General Meetings of the Membership
A general meeting of the members is held during the biennial Commonwealth Law Conference, normally at the conference venue. The general meeting is open to all fully paid up members. It approves the minutes of previous meetings, receives reports from the Council, and receives the accounts of the CLA and delegates such authority as it considers necessary to facilitate the work of the CLA. Decisions at the general meeting are made on the basis of general consensus.
Regional Hubs
Regional Hubs have been created as an initiative by our Council to broaden and promote our work.
Our 4 Vice Presidents – Americas, Africa, Europe and Australasia- chair and oversee the activity in their regions by reporting on regional issues, convening meetings, holding events and promoting relationships with their Bar organisations. This gives the CLA’s central operational committees unique insight into the Commonwealth wide legal issues that we exist to support.
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CLA Committees
CLA members are encouraged to join subject driven committees to develop connections and share best practice.
We invite all CLA members to join the raft of subject driven committees to connect with colleagues in both regional and international fields, share best practice and plan collaborations and projects. The Committees meet virtually and are a launchpad for ideas and knowledge share.
To join a Committee, please email the Secretariat on info@commonwealthlawyers.com.
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History and the Commonwealth Law Conference
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) was established in 1986 when the need for an association focused on lawyers practising in the Commonwealth was identified.
The CLA was originally housed in the Law Society of England and Wales but became independent in the early 90’s when it moved to offices to 28 Russell Square, London. A further move to 17 Russell Square took place a few years later and the Association remained in Charles Clore House until 2013, when a decision was made to move the offices closer to the Inns of Court and official Commonwealth offices. CLA relocated to Kingsway, London in December of 2013 and thereafter to Canterbury in 2018 where it remained until 2021,when the Secretariat closed and adopted a virtual office approach.
Governance
The CLA is governed by its Council of members drawn from some of the most senior legal professionals in the Commonwealth today. CLA has four Honorary Presidents who act as its advisers.
The CLA’s day to day business is led by its Secretary General and its 23 member Executive Committee comprising solicitors and barristers from around the Commonwealth. The Secretary General, Membership Secretary and Administration Assistant are the CLA’s only permanent members of staff – all other members are volunteers.
The Commonwealth Law Conference
CLA’s history is rooted in the development of the Commonwealth Law Conference (CLC). The first Commonwealth & Empire Law Conference was held in London in 1955. An Executive Committee, comprising representatives from a number of law societies and bar associations across the Commonwealth was responsible for the organization of this first conference.
In organising the second Commonwealth & Empire Law Conference (Canada,1960), the organizers realized that as the number of members of the Commonwealth had increased over 5 years, planning decisions needed to be made by the conference host country in consultation with the newly appointed Inter – Commonwealth Advisory Committee (ICAC) comprising of lawyers from 10 Commonwealth countries.
The representative from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on the ICAC raised the issue of the desirability of establishing a British Commonwealth Law Institute. This reflected the considerable and widespread view that further connection between lawyers was desirable, and it was decided to invite the committee to consider the issue and any detailed proposals at the next conference to be held in India.
As a direct result of this, the Commonwealth Legal Bureau (CLB) was established in 1968 as a loosely knit association of bar associations and law societies.
The first Commonwealth Law Conference (5th Conference) was held in Scotland in 1977. Prior to conference, the CLB elected Mr Laurence Southwick to be the Honorary Secretary. It was also agreed that the CLB should be constituted on a more formal basis – with a Constitution setting out its powers and responsibilities. It was felt that it had done useful work in the past and would continue to do valuable work in the future as an ongoing and developing link between the bar associations and law societies of the Commonwealth. The CLB would be answerable to the ICAC and would have responsibility for the law conferences.
At the Commonwealth Law Conference held in Hong Kong in 1983, it was agreed that the CLB should be replaced by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and a constitution was subsequently adopted in Jamaica in 1986.
The CLA now holds a biennial conference, the last being held in Goa, India in March 2023 and the next one being held in Malta in 2025. The conference upholds the tradition of bringing together judiciary, lawyers and legal professionals from throughout the Commonwealth.
Past Conferences
The Commonwealth Law Conference (CLC) is probably the most well-known activity of the CLA. The CLC is a prestigious event that brings together legal practitioners from all over the Commonwealth to debate current issues affecting practice and the profession, exchange views and experiences with colleagues and get up to date with the latest commercial products and services.
First held in 1955, the CLC has been organised on a regular basis ever since. It was initially held every five years but, as a result of its success and popularity, this was reduced to every three years. The conference now takes place on a biennial basis.
A list of the Commonwealth Law Conferences is shown below:
1960 – Ottawa, Canada
1965 – Sydney, Australia
1971 – New Delhi, India
1977 – Edinburgh, Scotland
1980 – Lagos, Nigeria
1983 – Hong Kong
1990 – Auckland, New Zealand
1993 – Nicosia, Cyprus
1996 – Vancouver, Canada
1999 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2003 – Melbourne, Australia
2005 – London, United Kingdom
2009 – Hong Kong SAR
2011 – Hyderabad, India
2013 – Cape Town, South Africa
2015 – Glasgow, Scotland
2017 – Melbourne, Australia
2019 – Livingstone, Zambia
2021 – Nassau, The Bahamas
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Constitution
As an association, CLA seek to be fully-transparent with our constitutional commitments.
Please see these links for our outputs from the Association meetings:
Helpful links
CLA is a member of the Commonwealth Legal Forum (CLF). The CLF exists to exchange and share news on issues relating to each organisations efforts to further the Rule of Law in the Commonwealth.
Out of this group partnership opportunities and synergies arise to further projects and initiatives for all the members. The membership of the group includes:
- Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA)
- Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA)
- Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel (CALC)
- Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies (CALRAs)
- International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
- Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law