The Commonwealth Lawyers Association

04/06/2026

🌍141 Nations Said Yes: A Major Victory for Climate Justice and International Law

Today, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and LAWASIA (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific) issued a Joint Statement supporting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution endorsing the landmark Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

The Resolution marks a significant moment for the rule of law, climate justice, and international accountability. It reinforces the ICJ's historic finding that States have legal obligations to prevent significant harm to the climate system, and that failure to do so may engage international responsibility and liability.

The Joint Statement also recognises the leadership of Vanuatu, Pacific Island nations, and youth climate advocates whose efforts helped bring this issue before the world's highest court.

For the legal profession, this is a defining development. The ICJ has confirmed that climate action is not a matter of political choice alone—it is grounded in established principles of international law, human rights, and State responsibility.

As lawyers, judges, policymakers, and institutions consider the implications of this Opinion, the focus now turns from legal clarity to implementation.

📖 Read the full Joint Statement from the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and LAWASIA to understand why this UNGA Resolution represents a critical step towards accountable, equitable, and legally grounded climate action.

https://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/statement/lawasia-and-commonwealth-lawyers-association-joint-statement-of-support-united-nations-general-assembly-resolution-on-the-advisory-opinion-of-the-international-court-of-justice-on-the-obligations-of/

4 June 2026 LAWASIA and Commonwealth Lawyers Association JOINT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the Advisory Opinion of

02/06/2026

⏳ 30 DAYS TO GO ⏳

The countdown is on.

In just 30 days, registration opens for the Silver Jubilee Commonwealth Law Conference 2027—a landmark biennial gathering of legal minds from across the Commonwealth.

📍 Darwin, Australia
📅 9–13 May 2027

CLC 2027 will bring together lawyers, judges, senior justice leaders, academics, policymakers, civil society representatives and legal professionals to engage with the issues shaping law and justice today.

The programme will feature:

⚖️ Insightful discussions on human rights, constitutional law, international justice, international investment and trade, and legal technology

🎤 Distinguished keynote speakers and expert panels

🤝 Exceptional networking and collaboration opportunities

🌏 The unique cultural and environmental backdrop of Darwin

Whether your focus is advocacy, academia, policymaking or judicial leadership, CLC 2027 offers a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, build connections and contribute to important conversations across the Commonwealth.

📢 Registration opens in 30 days.

Save the date. Watch this space. Be ready to join us in Darwin.

29/05/2026

In his opening remarks at the 3rd Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association's virtual conference,, CLA President Steven Thiru invited young lawyers to reflect on three essential imperatives for the legal profession in these challenging times: to reset, to reimagine, and to reaffirm.

He explained that to ‘reset’ is to return to first principles by upholding diligence, integrity, accountability, fairness, and respect for the rule of law in an age of accelerating technological change.

He observed that to ‘reimagine’ is to approach the future of legal practice with vision by harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly to strengthen legal services, expand access to justice, and protect human rights.

He further stressed that to ‘reaffirm’ is to stand firmly for the enduring foundations of the profession: integrity, independence, professional courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

The speech was delivered on 13 May 2026 at the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association’s 3rd Virtual Conference, hosted in partnership with the African Law Students’ Association, themed ‘Comparative Legal Traditions and Modern Legal Practice’.

https://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/cla/opening-remarks-at-the-young-commonwealth-lawyers-associations-3rd-virtual-conference-reset-reimagine-and-reaffirm-by-cla-president-steven-thiru/

22/05/2026

🏆 Calling all Commonwealth students with something to say.

The Harry Hodson Prize is now open — offering:
💷 £1,000 cash prize
📰 Publication in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs
🌍 A platform to shape debate across the Commonwealth

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student under 30, this is an opportunity to turn your research, dissertation, or original essay into a published piece with real international reach.

The topic is broad: anything connected to the contemporary Commonwealth, or a country or region within it. From geopolitics and international law to climate policy, trade, democracy, peacebuilding, or post-colonial governance — strong, academically grounded arguments are welcome.

📌 1,500–2,000 words
📌 Deadline: 31 December 2026
📌 Open to students at Commonwealth universities

Past winning topics have tackled everything from Brexit and the Commonwealth to apartheid, WTO participation, Sri Lanka’s peace process, and climate change diplomacy.

For aspiring lawyers, academics, policymakers, and international affairs enthusiasts, this is the kind of credential that stands out.

This is an annual award by The Round Table in memory of the journal’s late Editor, Harry Hodson, and to mark his association with The Round Table for nearly 70 years. It is awarded for a publishable article, contributed by anyone aged 30 years or younger as on 31st December of the year in which th...

21/05/2026

In his May message, CLA President Steven Thiru reflects on the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice and its enduring role in upholding the rule of law in a rapidly fracturing geopolitical landscape.

He highlights the Court’s foundational contribution to a rules-based international order grounded in responsibility, restraint, and shared legal principles.

Turning to contemporary challenges, he examines escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and their implications for global maritime security and freedom of navigation.

He concludes by underscoring the importance of faithful observance of international law in preserving global stability, particularly in times of heightened geopolitical tension

🔍Read More https://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/cla/presidents-message-may-2026-the-icj-at-80-upholding-the-rule-of-law-in-an-age-of-geopolitical-fracture-by-cla-president-steven-thiru/

20/05/2026

Yesterday, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association Council convened in London for its first in-person meeting in 12 months.

The Association is sincerely grateful to the Law Society of England and Wales for generously hosting the meeting.

The Council engaged in substantive and constructive discussions concerning the CLA’s mission and strategic priorities, including the promotion of the Luxembourg Convention, membership development, and future collaborations and projects across the Commonwealth legal community.

It was also a pleasure to welcome representatives of the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association, together with Past Presidents, Honorary Life Presidents and Council members, whose contributions greatly enriched the discussions.

The meeting reflected the CLA’s continued commitment to strengthening professional engagement, advancing the rule of law and fostering collaboration throughout the Commonwealth.

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13/05/2026

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever—from AI-driven attacks to ransomware and critical infrastructure risks—and the legal and policy response must keep pace. The Commonwealth Cyber Journal invites papers on contemporary cybercrime and cybersecurity; click the link to view full guidelines and contribute

This forthcoming issue of the CCJ, now calling for papers, will respond to the rapidly evolving cybercrime and cybersecurity threat landscape: the rise of AI-enabled cyberattacks, the expansion of cyberwarfare capabilities, the proliferation of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS), the increasing exploita...

06/05/2026

📅 Save the Date — Papua New Guinea Continuing Legal Education 2026

The future of law in Papua New Guinea is shaped by those who show up.

Join the Commonwealth Lawyers Association on Tuesday, 1 September at the Crown Hotel, Port Moresby for a premier Continuing Legal Education (CLE) event—where the country’s legal community comes together to connect, sharpen expertise, and lead with purpose.

Who should attend?

Judiciary members, practicing lawyers, and LTI students—all welcome, all free of charge.

Attend your way:

🔹 In person for the full experience

🔹 Or via live stream from anywhere

Co-hosted with:

PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence • Law Society of Papua New Guinea • PNG Women Lawyers Association • Bar Association of Queensland • PNGAus Partnership

This is more than an event—it’s a moment to invest in your profession and your network.

👉 Read more: https://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/event/save-the-date-papua-new-guinea-continuing-legal-education-2026/

Stay sharp. Stay connected. Save the date.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday 1 September, and join us in person at the Crown Hotel, Port Moresby for a...

01/05/2026

There's still time to register!

🌍 Expand your legal perspective—register now and join the conversation surrounding "How do legal traditions shape modern practice across jurisdictions?"

Join the Young Commonwealth Lawyers and the African Law Students’ Association for a virtual conference exploring comparative legal traditions and modern legal practice.

Whether you're a law student, trainee, or early-career lawyer, this is your opportunity to:

✔️ Gain insights from international legal perspectives
✔️ Engage with peers across the Commonwealth
✔️ Understand how legal systems evolve in a globalised world

🎓 Designed for the next generation of lawyers
🌐 Connect across jurisdictions
📅 Virtual & accessible from anywhere
👉 Register now: https://www.commonwealthlawyers.com/event/young-commonwealth-lawyers-in-partnership-with-the-african-law-students-association-virtual-conference-comparative-legal-traditions-and-modern-legal-practice/

28/04/2026

The Chagos story isn’t history—it’s unfolding now.

Since February 2026, Chagossians have returned to their homeland, seeking recognition of a fundamental right: to live where they belong, and to determine their own future. Yet once again, their claims are being contested in the courts.

Philip Rule KC, Lloyd DeVincenzi and David Denniston examine whether current UK proposals for the Chagos Islands comply with international law—and ask a difficult question: has anything really changed?

From forced exile to present-day legal challenges, this is a defining test of self-determination, the rule of law, and the Commonwealth’s values.

Read the full analysis here 🔎

By Philip Rule KC, David Denniston and Lloyd M. DeVincenzi The story of injustice for the inhabitants of the Chagossian Islands, presently constituted as