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Following the referendum last year, many lawyers were in shock at the prospect of the UK leaving the EU. Indeed, many are still refusing to come to terms with the fact, that democracy is an uncertain process, being part choice, part emotion and part judgement, by those individuals taking part in it.

In the final analysis, Parliament, for better or for worse, signed off on a binary referendum, and perhaps for those lawyers still in denial, its time to move on, in terms of the voters decision to leave the EU.

This could be a golden opportunity for the Law Society to enhance its profile, by leading a debate, as to the legal and practical requirements for a new reciprocity with the EU, to deal with the resolution of international disputes, and the enforcement of judgements.

Lawyers have always had a vital role to play in the evolution of international law, and we can look back with admiration, at the works of giants in the field, such as Shabtai Rosenne and Hersch Lauterpacht.

So lets concentrate on enhancing the role of the Rule of Law in an international context, not on old arguments, which now serve no useful purpose in a rapidly changing world.