An article in the Gazette by former Justice director Roger Smith has sparked a high-level debate on the future of the constitution.

The Law Society, Bar Council and the lawyer organisations of the three major political parties today announced details of the 9 March event, ‘UK laws and English votes: the aftermath of the Scottish vow’.

Speakers include: Roger Smith; former attorney general Dominic Grieve; former lord chancellor Lord Falconer; and Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Lib Dem leader in the lords and former deputy first minister at Holyrood.

The event follows a call from Smith in his monthly Gazette column last October for the Law Society and Bar Council to ‘lead from the front’ on the constitutional issue. The two bodies are sponsoring the event. Said Smith: ‘This is a unique event and all credit to the professional bodies and the party organisations for opening up debate of a major issue of importance to all lawyers.’

The event takes place at 17.30 on 9 March in Middle Temple Hall, London. Attendance is free. More information and booking details can be found here.