The Inauguration of the Centre for Commercial Law – 7 February 2008

The Centre for Commercial Law was officially launched on Thursday 7 February 2008, with an inaugural lecture delivered by Stephen Woolman QC on “The Challenges Facing Commercial Law in Scotland”.  The popularity of both the speaker and the topic guaranteed a large turnout and the Playfair Library was packed for the event. 

Ms Laura Macgregor, the Director of the new Centre, welcomed everyone to the University and explained the aims of the Centre.  These focus on the benefits of fostering excellence in teaching and research in commercial law and, importantly, the great advantages that can be derived from collaborative work between academics and practitioners.

The Chairman of the Centre, the Rt Hon Lord Reed, spoke very warmly of the creation of the new Centre and the importance of support from the commercial law community in Scotland. 

Lord Reed then introduced Mr Woolman, whose thought-provoking lecture assessed the state of Scots commercial law and the challenges facing practitioners and academics today.  Of particular interest was the broad range of Mr Woolman’s review, which started by placing Scots commercial law in its historical context and moved on to consider the impact of globalisation, particularly the competing approaches of the London courts and the European acquis.  Against this background, he suggested that Scots lawyers must be responsive to the needs of the commercial community.  One way to meet those needs might be to develop a commercial law framework to underpin business transactions.  He also suggested that law and the courts can contribute to commercial life by engendering trust, certainty and flexibility.

Lord Reed concluded the evening with a plea that the Centre for Commercial Law should be a means of bringing together people in the field of Scots commercial law to push its boundaries and test its limits.   A wine reception followed the lecture, to round off a most enjoyable and memorable occasion.

The Centre is delighted to note that Stephen Woolman has recently been appointed a Senator of the College of Justice.  Further details are available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/06100504