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Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law
Proactively advancing the Rule of Law worldwide
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EVENTS

Bingham Lecture 2024 : The Rule of Law in an Age of Populism

Date: 14 October 2024

Time: 18.00 - 19.00 (registration from 17.30) Followed by a reception

Venue: The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn 8 South Square, London, WC1R 5ET

   

Event Details

The 2024 Bingham Lecture was given by the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC.  The lecture was chaired by Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws LT KC, with closing remarks by Bingham Centre Director, Jan van Zyl Smit.

The lecture, "The Rule of Law in An Age of Populism",  was Lord Hermer's first full-length speech since his appointment as Attorney General in July 2024. Lord Hermer discussed the profound linkages between the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and examined threats posed by populists who seek to delegitimise the institutions  that are essential for upholding these values. He went on to outline the government's plans for rule of law restoration and resilience in three principal areas: "rebuilding the UK's international rule of law leadership"; "defending and strengthening Parliament's role in upholding the rule of law" and "promoting a rule of law culture". 

Lord Hermer's lecture has generated extensive media coverage and discussion by commentators (see panel alongside).

The Bingham Lecture series honours the memory of the Rt. Hon Lord Bingham of Cornhill KG, after whom the Bingham Centre is named. This flagship series of in-person lectures, which was launched in 2012 and paused for the Covid-19 pandemic, has previously featured speakers including the late Lord Judge, Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Justice Angelika Nussberger (Vice-President, European Court of Human Rights, 2017-2019), Irene Khan (Director, International Development Law Organisation) and John Bercow MP (while Speaker of the House of Commons).

Watch a recording of the event

Download the Attorney General's speech  

Media coverage

Some pages are behind paywalls.

CPD Information

This event offers the equivalent of 2 CPD hours.

Contact

If you have any queries, please contact the Events team. 

Event Recording

Please note that our events may be photographed or recorded. These materials will be used for internal and external promotional purposes only by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. If you object to appearing in recordings or photographs, please contact the Events Team to let us know ahead of the event.

Event Cancellation Policy

When you register for an event you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood our cancellation policy.

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