“Trial by jury is widely seen as central to the UK’s justice system. But as the justice system faces new challenges, many will question whether the current system is still fit for purpose. Do today’s juries understand their task? Are they the most effective guarantor of justice?”

The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP is the Attorney General and Conservative MP for Beaconsfield.”

Date: 11th December 2013, 6.30-7.30 pm

Location: Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR.

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

“Keynote Speech by Professor Arthur Grimes: Micro-prudential settings and financial markets conduct regulations are important in controlling risk within any country – no matter how well or poorly performing its macroeconomy. In an environment of pervasive information asymmetries, an unfettered market can lead to socially sub-optimal risk-taking. Some restrictions on financial market participants’ activities and disclosure requirements are therefore required. However, adoption of policies that make the financial markets appear low risk, or even risk free, to uninformed participants can result in moral hazard that may produce even less stable outcomes than in a free market. Drawing on New Zealand’s relatively light-handed approach to financial market regulation, this lecture examines whether the GFC and other crises are caused not by too little regulation, but instead by too much.”

Date: 3rd December 2013, 3.00-7.00pm

Location: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DR

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

“As the recession stutters onwards systemic and structural causes for the financial crash continue to dominate international news and debate. Never has there been such an appetite and desire to understand the financial institutions that govern us. But despite public interest, alternative investment vehicles such as private equity and hedge funds remain elusive. Both have always had a unique position in the market, designed as they are to function outside of the rules that govern other financial organizations. But what is it that they do and – significantly – how is it that they have prospered since the 2008 meltdown despite the introduction of new regulatory regimes?”

Date: 27th November 2013, 6.00pm

Location: UCL Faculty of Laws – Graduate Wing, 1-2 Endsleigh Street, London WC1H 0EG

Charge: Free

More information can be found here.

“The Home Secretary proposes opting out and then back to the EAW, but not the one we know. The Croatians don’t want to use it either and the new Forum Bar (in force 14.10.13) will change it; as will the latest Anti Social, Crime & Policing Bill currently before Parliament. Find out what exactly is going on, and how it will affect existing Extradition arrangements.”

Date: 9th December 2013, 3.00 – 18:30

Location: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DR

Charge: Free, registration required

More information can be found here.