Discussions at a recent two-day conference conclude that the legacy of the Commonwealth Games must be to bring the legal industry together in order to undertake the challenges facing its member nations.

Speaking at the Race to the Commonwealth & Beyond conference held in Birmingham, members of the legal community explored the multiple challenges facing members of the Commonwealth, with a focus on diversity and equality.

The event opened with welcome messages from Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Brian Speers, the President of CLA, and included a number of discussions, focusing on both localised and global challenges facing the legal community. Marlene Malahoo Forte QC, the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs in Jamaica, gave a poignant address on the freedom of expression. Other discussions included the place of law in sport, which focused on the challenges facing the organisers of the Commonwealth Games.

Insight into the governance of sport in Bangladesh was also provided, as well as a session on child abuse and exploitation. The overall message from the event, which was hosted by Birmingham Law Society, Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and University of Birmingham, was a need for joined up thinking across the Commonwealth.

Tony McDaid, Vice President of the Birmingham Law Society, and CEO and Director of Clerking at No5 Barristers’ Chambers, said: “This event shone an important spotlight on the intricate challenges facing members of the Commonwealth and the sporting legal community. A number of international delegates from across the Commonwealth, including New Zealand, Bangladesh and Jamaica, were in attendance, sharing experiences faced across the world.”

Founded in 1818, Birmingham Law Society is the largest regional society of its kind, representing more than 5000 legal professionals across Birmingham and the Greater Midlands. The conference supported the charity, It’s a Penalty. The charity exists to end abuse, exploitation and human trafficking on a global scale. A ‘Win a Diamond’ raffle and silent auction held during the mid-conference dinner raised over £3000.

Tony McDaid added: “The topics explored highlight the importance of joined up thinking across territories. The conference’s aim was to prompt new conversations that inspire the legal sector to focus on driving change through a collaborative approach.”

Sponsors of the event included CLOUD SYSTEMS Group, Gowling WLG, Cornwall Street Barristers and TULA Medical Experts. No5 Barristers’ Chambers sponsored the mid-conference dinner which took place in the Great Hall and included an after-dinner speech by Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.

For more information, visit www.no5.com.