Always an event which sparks debate and prompts wider policy discussion, Apex Scotland’s Annual Lecture for 2019 will be held on Tuesday 3rd September in Edinburgh’s City Chambers. We are delighted to welcome Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Leeona Dorrian who is the most senior female judge in Scottish history.
Her topic “Sentencing Guidelines: Challenges and Opportunities” offers an exploration of the scope of this vital part of the justice machinery, and her perspective on how the decisions made impact on the strategic and policy world. This includes discussing the interface between sentencing and the services which are, or should be, available to support progressive justice practice.
Alan Staff, Apex’s Chief Executive, said “At this time in Scottish legal history we stand at a tipping point with, on the one hand, a stated commitment from all quarters to modernise the justice systems and move towards a more community orientated restorative/rehabilitative model, and yet a rise in prison numbers and the demand for further traditional service provision. The progressive agenda looks to the judiciary to support responses to crime which are designed to reduce offending and enable the individual to move away from criminal action, but can they be expected to do so unless there is systemic and public confidence in the provision of effective community based justice programmes?”
Places at the Lecture are limited. If you would like to attend please contact lynn.hannah@apexscotland.org.uk or telephone 0131 220 0130.