GLASGOW is to host one of the world's most prestigious conferences.

In 2015, the city will welcome around 1000 judges, lawyers and academics attending the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association conference.

The successful bid for the event, which will bring a £2 million boost to the city's economy, was put together by the Law Society of Scotland, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) and the SECC.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "I am delighted the Commonwealth Law Conference is coming to Glasgow.

"Not only will it mark the return of this prestigious meeting to Europe and the UK for the first time in a decade, it will also greatly contribute to the legacy derived from the city hosting the Commonwealth Games the previous year.

"At a time when competition in the global conference marketplace is incredibly fierce, the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association's decision to choose Glasgow reinforces the city's reputation as a world class business tourism destination which is home to some of the best venues and hotels to be found anywhere in Europe or internationally today.

"This is another major win for Glasgow and is testimony to the excellent partnership working that exists between GCMB, the SECC and the city's wider conference service providers."

Jamie Millar is former president of the Law Society of Scotland and the CLA council member representing Scotland.

He said: "I want to thank the CLA for choosing Glasgow as its host city for the 2015 conference.

"As a Glasgow solicitor, I am immensely proud that one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of legal professionals from across the world will be coming to my home city.

"The CLA is a great and historic legal organisation, promoting the rule of law and helping to ensure an independent legal profession exists to serve the people of the Commonwealth.

"With our distinct, forward looking and ever changing legal jurisdiction, I know Scotland will be an exciting and fascinating place for CLA members to visit."

The bi-annual conference was last held in Scotland in 1977 and since then has been held in Hong Kong, Jamaica, New Zealand, Canada and Kenya. This year it will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk

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