CLA News / CLA President Steven Thiru’s Report: Shared Values, Stronger Bonds and Enduring Solutions at the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference 2025 Malta
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association’s biennial conference — the Commonwealth Law Conference (CLC) — was held at the Hilton Hotel, in St Julian’s, Malta, from 6 to 10 April, with the theme “Commonwealth Lawyers – Fit for the Future!”. The magnificent and historic backdrop of Malta — whose azure seas, which incidentally also served as a filming location for the early seasons of Game of Thrones — lent a touch of cinematic charm as delegates navigated four days of the Conference with robust discussions and thoughtful dialogue, developed professional bonds, and engaged in the warm camaraderie for which the CLA is well known.
The Conference was well-attended with 535 delegates from 56 jurisdictions. We were honoured to welcome the Chief Justices of England and Wales, Tonga, The Cayman Islands, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at our flagship biennial event.
A defining strength of the Conference has always been its ability to bring together colleagues from across the Commonwealth family. It is a rare and valuable occasion when so many members of our legal community gather in one place — bringing with them a collective dynamism that, I believe, harnesses and inspires the will to act and to propel us forwards.
I have been heartened by the kind and generous words shared by several delegates regarding the success of the Conference.
Further, with the support of our Secretary General, Brigid Watson, and the other Office Bearers, a series of sideline meetings were also held throughout the Conference to engage with CLA members, including institutional members, partners, and other stakeholders and affiliates.
What follows is a brief chronicle of my activities during the Conference, highlighting some of the events and sideline meetings held.
5 April 2025
I arrived at the Hilton Hotel and met with Brigid Watson and our Secretariat team — Clare Roe and Evie Wilson — for a final briefing. It was clear that all arrangements were proceeding smoothly and were very much under control.
Meeting with the Commonwealth Secretariat
Meeting with the Commonwealth Secretariat on 5 April 2025
The first meeting was with the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and his team comprising Acting Head of Rule of Law Dr Elizabeth Macharia, Nancy Kanyago, Latoya McDowald-Hurley and Cynthia Nyongesa.
We discussed the much-valued partnership between the CLA and the Commonwealth Secretariat, including the recently launched Commonwealth Pro Bono Centre initiative as well as the CLA’s role in the upcoming Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) in Fiji and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). We also explored potential new areas of collaboration, such as on indigenous land rights and birth registration with a view towards deepening our shared commitment to access to justice and legal empowerment across the Commonwealth.
CLA Council meeting
CLA Council Meeting
I then chaired the CLA Council Meeting, which was attended by 27 Council Members. It was a pleasure to meet the Council in person and to share in the enthusiasm for the days ahead. Our discussions focused on the Conference programme and the important role of Council Members as hosts in highlighting the work of the CLA to the Conference delegates. We also reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment, with a reminder of the CLA’s anti-bullying and respect policy.
Council and Executive Committee Dinner
Later that evening, the Council and Executive Committee (ExCo) dinner was held at the Blue Elephant restaurant at the Hilton Hotel, where we enjoyed a delightful spread of Thai cuisine. The dinner was well attended by 28 Council and ExCo members and their partners, and I was pleased to connect with many of them in person in such a warm and collegial setting.
6 April 2025
Bar Leaders’ Summit
Bar Leaders’ Summit
I co-chaired the Bar Leaders’ Summit alongside CLA Past President, Brian Speers. The Conference Chair, Dr. Peter Maynard KC (Immediate Past President), was regrettably unable to attend due to flight cancellations and was greatly missed. The Summit was attended by 21 Bar leaders from 19 countries.
Centred on the theme “Bar Leaders at Risk”, the keynote presentation was delivered by Hugh Mercer KC of the International Committee of the Bar of England & Wales. He spoke on the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer — the first-ever international treaty which aims to protect the profession of lawyer – adopted by the Council of Europe on 12 March 2025. The Convention seeks to strengthen the right of lawyers to practise freely and independently by setting comprehensive minimum standards to safeguard not only the rights and protection of individual lawyers but also Bars and Law Societies.
Hugh Mercer KC
The Convention is expected to be open to adoption by non-European Economic Community countries upon ratification by Member States. The session, ably co-moderated by Brian Speers, was both engaging and thought-provoking, and was further enriched by the sharing of real-life and contemporaneous experiences faced by Bar leaders.
The discussion was followed by a session on artificial intelligence in the legal profession. CLA Treasurer, Maria Mbeneka, and Council Member, Amirali Nasir, presented the CLA’s Declaration on AI by the CLA Law Tech & Innovation Committee, which would later be adopted during the Conference.
This was followed by a presentation on artificial intelligence for the legal profession by Ian McDougall of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation. The session — insightful and eye-opening — was attended by 38 Bar leaders and CEOs.
Young Lawyers Day Programme
From left: Steven Thiru and Joanna Robinson
I then had the pleasure of speaking to our young lawyers at the programme expertly curated by Joanna Robinson, Chair of the Young Lawyers Day, which saw an excellent turnout of 90 young professionals. The programme was superbly planned, featuring sessions on advocacy, ethics, work-life balance, and a mentoring segment — all of which reflected the vibrant energy and enthusiasm of the next generation of Commonwealth legal professionals.
General Meeting of the CLA
The General Meeting commenced at 5:30 p.m. local time, which I chaired. The meeting proceeded in accordance with the Agenda, covering the following key items:
- CLA Biennial Activity Report, presented by Dr. Peter Maynard KC (Immediate Past President) and Brigid Watson (Secretary General);
- CLA Accounts for 2023–2024, presented by Maria Mbeneka (Treasurer);
- CLA Mission Statement for 2025–2027, presented by Sophie Stanbrook and Mark Woods, CLA Council members.
From left: Maria Mbeneka; Dr. Peter Maynard KC; Steven Thiru; Brigid Watson
A particular highlight of the meeting was the election of Laurie Watt as Honorary Life Treasurer. Laurie has been a dedicated member of the CLA for over 40 years, including fifteen years of service as Treasurer and Chair of the ExCo. A regular attendee at our Commonwealth Law Conferences, he is well known for his keen eye for detail and thoughtful reflections — at times chronicling the Conferences with wit and style in articles published in The Commonwealth Lawyer journal — always a refreshing and valued contribution to the CLA community.
Our new CLA Honorary Life Treasurer, Laurie Watt
Welcome Reception
Johan Galea on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector
Delegates were warmly welcomed to the official Welcome Reception, hosted in the elegant Portomaso Suite at the Hilton Hotel which was graciously sponsored by the Ministry For Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Malta.
The evening offered a relaxed and convivial setting for attendees to reconnect with colleagues, forge new connections, and set the tone ahead of the Conference.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Mr Johan Galea, gave a welcome speech on behalf of the Minister, highlighting digitisation and people-centric justice, as “Two very real objectives and two very real challenges…..The Ministry which I head is embracing this transformation and evolution wholeheartedly, effectively through the implementation of the national Digital Justice Strategy, through which we are gradually re-designing the business processes in the justice sector with the final objective being a digital by default architecture”. Resonating with our conference theme of “Fit for the future”, the speech was a fitting precurosr to the four days of debate to follow.
Dinner with the Malaysian Delegation
I was privileged to join my fellow Malaysian colleagues at a dinner generously hosted by CLA Honorary Life President, Dr. Cyrus Das, for the delegates from Malaysia. The evening was marked by engaging conversations, shared reflections, and a strong sense of camaraderie. We were joined by James McGowan of the Hong Kong Bar, whose presence added to the richness of the occasion.
7 April 2025
Opening Ceremony
The Conference opened with exuberance, beginning with a vibrant musical performance by the Maltese tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens that showcased Malta’s rich and distinctive cultural heritage, which set the stage for the distinguished addresses that followed.
Tenor: Cliff Zammit Stevens
Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Dr. Victoria Buttigieg, Attorney General for Malta; Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo, for the Chief Justice of Malta; and Dr. Jonathan Attard, Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, as well as Dr. Peter Maynard KC (Conference Chair), Mark Woods (Master of Ceremonies and Chairman of the Papers Committee), and myself, from the CLA.
We were honoured to receive a virtual opening address and welcome from the President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono.
The Conference was formally opened by Dr Ian Borg, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Malta.
From left: Dr. Peter Maynard KC; Dr. Victoria Buttigieg; Prof. Luis Franceschi; Dr Ian Borg; Steven Thiru; Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo; Dr Jonathan Attard; Brigid Watson.
In my Welcome Remarks, I emphasised that the challenges we face today — including rising geopolitical tensions, climate change, economic uncertainty, shifting social and demographic landscapes, and the rapid pace of technological innovation — require heightened vigilance to ensure that the core values underpinning our democracies remain protected.
This is especially critical in the wake of sustained attacks on justice systems and the legal profession, which continue to loom large. The scheme of separation of powers — designed to uphold checks and balances in government — is increasingly usurped and manipulated to achieve convenience and accommodation. I stressed that if left unchecked and allowed to persist, this state of affairs will reverse decades of progress in upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice, and safeguarding the primacy of human rights. We must therefore remain resolute in defending these principles we hold sacred.
Steven Thiru delivering the Welcome Remarks
Plenary Panel 1: Democrats and despots – does consensus work?
Immediately following the Opening Ceremony, I chaired the first plenary session of the Conference, titled “Democrats and Despots – Does Consensus Work?”. This thought-provoking discussion focused on the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Charter in promoting the rule of law and human rights within its Member States. The panel members comprised:
- Michael Frendo (Speaker Emeritus House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta and Former Foreign Minister);
- Cheryl E. Bazard KC (Former Ambassador and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and
- Honourable Justice Surya Kant (Judge, Supreme Court of India)
From left: Dr Michael Frendo; Justice Surya Kant; Steven Thiru; Cheryl E. Bazard KC
Challenging questions were raised on the tension and interplay between the need for consensus among Member States and the imperatives of diplomacy, while striving to uphold the values enshrined in the Charter and making them meaningful for the people of the Commonwealth. The discussion also recognised critical institutional and operational considerations. In this context, the panel revisited the proposal for a Commonwealth Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights — a key parallel recommendation made when the Charter was first conceptualised, envisioned as providing the “teeth” to give the Charter real force and accountability.
Meeting with Yasmin Batliwala, Chief Executive of Advocates for International Development (A4ID)
We met with Yasmin Batliwala, Chief Executive of A4ID — an organisation with which we have long discussed collaboration. Our conversation focused on the SDG Legal Initiative and explored potential avenues for partnership to further our shared goals in these areas.
From left: Brigid Watson; Yasmin Batliwala; Steven Thiru
Meeting with Ian McDougall and Afsoon McClellan, LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation
From left: Afsoon McClellan; Brigid Watson; Steven Thiru; Ian McDougall
We had a very fruitful exchange with one of our valued sponsors, the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, represented by its President, Ian McDougall. Our conversation focused on advancing the rule of law in education and explored the development of a training programme in artificial intelligence.
Meeting with the Law Society of England and Wales
From left: Mickael Laurans; Brigid Watson; Richard Atkinson; Steven Thiru; Debra Long
We held a constructive dialogue with representatives from the Law Society of England and Wales Mickael Laurans, Head of International, Richard Atkinson, President and Debra Long during which we discussed the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, and explored ways in which the CLA can support its promotion to Commonwealth governments.
Cocktails with Canadian Government Lawyers
In addition, I had the pleasure after of joining Canadian government lawyers for a relaxed and convivial cocktail gathering, graciously organised by our Council Member for Canada, Trudi Pye, and Eric Boucher, Secretary of the Canadian Association of Crown Council. It was a delightful opportunity to meet and mingle with peers from across the Commonwealth and to exchange perspectives on developments within the legal and justice sector in the regions.
8 April 2025
Plenary Panel 2: Judicial independence and parliamentary sovereignty – a colossi of roads?
The day began on a high note with Plenary Panel 2, which explored the enduring tension between judicial independence and parliamentary sovereignty. The session was framed through the insights of an exceptional panel of women comprising of:
- The Right Honourable Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat (Chief Justice of Malaysia);
- The Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill (Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales);
- Margaret Satterthwaite (UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers); and
- The Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, K.C (Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Government of Jamaica)
I was especially inspired by the address delivered by The Right Honourable Tun Tengku Maimun, whose incisive reflections of the experience in Malaysia captured the friction that can arise between the Legislature and the Judiciary, the doctrine of constitutional supremacy, and the need to protect judicial independence through institutional safeguards.
Photo session after Plenary Panel 2 with The Right Honourable Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat and delegates from Malaysia.
Meeting with Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
From left: Mark Stephens CBE; Brigid Watson; Margaret Satterthwaite; Steven Thiru; Sophie Stanbrook; Julien Kavaruganda
It was a privilege to meet with Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. Our conversation was both meaningful and engaging. In particular, her deep insights, drawn from her extensive experience in the field, offered valuable perspective on the importance of maintaining judicial independence in the face of increasing pressures — a subject closely aligned with the CLA’s mission and work.
Meeting with the Honourable Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale of the Cayman Islands
We also held a constructive dialogue with the Honourable Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale of the Cayman Islands, accompanied by CLA Council Member for the Cayman Islands, Dr. Camille Stoll-Davey. Our discussions centred on ways to strengthen the CLA’s visibility and engagement within the jurisdiction, including encouraging greater participation of Caymanian lawyers in CLA activities.
Meeting with The Inner Temple of England & Wales
We were pleased to meet with representatives from The Inner Temple, Richard Salter KC (Treasurer) and Greg Dorey CVO (Sub-Treasurer). The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss legal education particularly on advocacy training programmes. We spoke on Inner Temple conducting a “Train-the-Trainers” advocacy programme in London ahead of the opening of the legal year in England and Wales, and further for the advocacy in arbitration proceedings and in handling expert witnesses.
From left: Brigid Watson; Mark Stephens CBE; Greg Dorey CVO; Steven Thiru; Richard Salter KC
Meeting Regarding CLC Darwin 2027
We convened a meeting with Chief Justice Michael Grant AO, Chief Justice of the Northern Territory, Australia and Dr Alan Berman, Dean of the Charles Darwin Law School to discuss preliminary preparations for the next Commonwealth Law Conference in Darwin in 2027. The session focused on key planning milestones, strategic priorities, and opportunities to build on the successes of previous Conferences and to ensure the Conference’s continued relevance and impact for the Commonwealth legal community.
Meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association
It was a valuable opportunity to meet members of the Nigerian Bar Association — one of the CLA’s largest membership bases. Our discussions focused on potential areas for collaboration, including the CLA’s participation in the Nigerian Bar’s Annual Conference, slated for later this year in August 2025.
Steven with NBA President Afam Osigwe SAN, General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara and colleagues
Meeting with Representatives from New Zealand
It was a pleasure to meet with The Honourable Dame Ellen France DNZM, Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, along with Alison Holt and Fiona Ey. Our discussion focused on ways to encourage greater engagement and involvement from the New Zealand legal profession in CLA activities.
From left: Brigid Watson; The Honourable Dame Ellen France DNZM; Alison Holt; Steven Thiru
Cocktail Session Hosted by 3 Hare Court and Charles Russell Speechlys
I had the opportunity to attend a cocktail reception jointly hosted by CLC sponsors 3 Hare Court and Charles Russell Speechlys. The evening provided a lively and convivial atmosphere, offering a wonderful opportunity to engage with colleagues from across jurisdictions and deepen professional ties.
Dinner for CLA Past Presidents
I had the honour of hosting a special dinner for CLA Past Presidents, bringing together former leaders whose wisdom and contributions have shaped — and continue to shape — the legacy of the CLA. It was a heartfelt evening of reflection, shared memories, and a renewed commitment to the CLA. I remain deeply grateful for their ongoing support and stewardship, and for setting a powerful example in championing the CLA’s foundational ideals and core values with clarity, conviction, and impact — an example that continues to inspire me as I humbly strive to emulate their achievements.
9 April 2025
Meeting with Justices from Papua New Guinea, Law Society of Papua New Guinea and LAWASIA
We met with the Deputy Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, the Honourable Ambeng Kandakasi CBE, and The Honourable Justice John Carey, as well as The Honourable Justice Brian Preston AO FRSN SC, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court in New South Wales, Hubert Namani, President of the Papua New Guinea Law Society, and Shyam Divan, President of LAWASIA.
Our discussions focused on the Environmental Law Conference which is scheduled for 2026 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and CLA’s role in supporting the event.
From left:Hubert Namani, Brigid Watson, Shyam Divan, Steven Thiru, The Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi CBE; The Honourable Justice Brian Preston AO FRSN SC; The Honourable Justice John Carey
Meeting with the Organisation Of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Bar Association (OECS Bar Association)
It was wonderful to engage with representatives from both the OCCBA and OECS Bar Association and many individual Bar Presidents from across the Caribbean. In a lively and engaging meeting. The meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to regional cooperation and opened the door for deeper engagement on issues of common concern across the Caribbean legal community.
Meeting with representatives from OCCBA and OECS
Meeting with Jose-Antonio Maurellet, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association
I was able to meet with Jose-Antonio Maurellet, recently elected Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association. Our conversation focused on exploring areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration between the Hong Kong Bar Association and the CLA, including on the promotion of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Jose-Antonio Maurellet and Steven Thiru
Conference Gala Dinner
Now a hallmark of the Conference, the Conference Gala Dinner once again stood out as one of the signature highlights of the four-day event. Held at the Sacra Infermeria, Valletta. We were honoured that Dr Jonathan Attard, the Minister of Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Republic of Malta was able to join us. The evening was filled with lively conversation and a vibrant spirit of togetherness, bringing delegates from across the Commonwealth into an atmosphere of warmth, joy, and authentic connection — the very kind of camaraderie that defines the CLA and beautifully embodies the spirit of the “Commonwealth family.”
Steven Thiru (middle) with CLA Honorary Life President, Dr. Cyrus Das (right), and LAWASIA Past President, Christopher Leong (left)
CLA Secretary General greeting Dr Jonathan Attard, Minister of Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector
10 April 2025
Meeting with the Law Society of Hong Kong
As the Conference neared its conclusion, we made the most of every opportunity to connect and was able to meet with representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong. We discussed the work of the Law Society and their concerns over sanctions imposed on Hong Kong officials by the United States of America.
Steven Thiru and Brigid Watson with Amirali Nasir, Vice President and representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong
Closing Ceremony — Passing of the Flag and Medal Presentation and Announcement of CLC 2027
The Closing Ceremony featured the ceremonial passing of the CLA flag and the presentation of the presidential medal from the Immediate Past President, Dr. Peter Maynard KC, to myself as the newly elected President — a symbolic gesture representing the continuity of leadership and the enduring spirit of the CLA. The occasion also included the official announcement of the next CLC which will be held in Darwin, Australia, in 2027.
Closing ceremony: Ceremonial passing of the CLA flag and the presentation of the presidential medal by Dr. Peter Maynard KC to Steven Thiru
In my remarks at the Closing Ceremony, I touched on how the CLA draws its unique strength from the diversity of its membership. This richness, alongside the CLA’s objective to advance the interests of the peoples of the Commonwealth by fostering the Rule of Law, must continue to be harnessed with purpose and unity, in order that we may speak as a collective and formidable voice for the legal profession across the Commonwealth. This is especially vital at a time when we are witnessing grave violations of democratic governance and the administration of justice in various parts of the world.
I reaffirmed CLA’s fidelity to these values; that they will never be compromised, diluted or sacrificed; that we will act without fear or favour, guided solely by our principles and bound by our collective moral compass. Moreover, our commitment to advancing diversity, equality, and inclusivity across all areas of our work remains unwavering — not as an afterthought, but as values which are fundamental to the “DNA” of the CLA.
Steven Thiru delivering his speech at the Closing Ceremony
Reception Hosted by Katherine Ward LVO OBE, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Malta
I was honoured to attend a reception graciously hosted by Katherine Ward LVO OBE, British High Commissioner to the Republic of Malta at Her Excellency’s residence, where we reflected on the Conference.
The outstanding success of CLC 2025 is due in large part to the collective efforts of the Organising Committee chaired by Dr. Peter Maynard KC and the Papers Committee chaired by Mark Woods with the unwavering dedication and exemplary work of our Secretariat team — Brigid Watson, Clare Roe, and Evie Wilson. Time and again, they have exceeded expectations, and the widespread praise the Conference has received stands as a testament to their hard work and efforts, and the shared commitment of all those involved.
We look forward to next CLC — the 25th Commonwealth Law Conference, in 2027, which will be held in Darwin, Australia!
Steven Thiru
President
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
8th May 2025
