Scotland, Wales, Catalonia, Quebec: legal identities in evolving nations

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With Scotland and Catalonia due to hold referendums on independence, 2014 could be a year of major political and constitutional change in Europe. An event at Swansea University on 18 February, bringing together international experts, is to look at these possible changes, and at what the implications would be for how we are governed and how our laws operate.

300 x 187The event, entitled Legal Identities in Evolving Nations, is organised by the European Institute of Identities at Swansea University, in association with the Swansea University College of Law.  

The programme makes particular reference to the forthcoming votes in Scotland and Catalonia, and to past experiences in Quebec. 

It will look at the role of constitutions and variants of secessionism and devolution.


Speakers and sessions include:

  • Prof. Daniel Turp, Université de Montréal: Legal Identities and Constitutions
  • Prof. Josep Reniu, Universitat de Barcelona: Catalunya and Legal Challenges to the Spanish State
  • Prof. Michael Keating, University of Aberdeen : Post-sovereign futures for Scotland
  • Sir Roderick Evans, Pro-Chancellor, Swansea University: Evolution of The Welsh Legal System
  • Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan: Discussion on Legal Identities and Political Implications

300 x 200David Cameron and Alex Salmon at WimbledonA central theme will be the relationship between politics, the law and nation/state formation. 

Sessions will examine the emergence of values based upon different identities and how these provide new opportunities for legal developments.

There will also be opportunities to discuss the impact on policy, legislation and legal practices.

While the event is international in its scope, it will also look at the implications for Wales and the UK of the changing political and constitutional landscape.  

Professor Iwan Davies, Pro-Vice Chancellor Internationalisation and Hodge Chair of Law at Swansea University, said:

‘The University is enthusiastic about hosting this symposium. In a year of potentially huge political change, it will elucidate and provoke ideas about how such changes impact on the law, on law-makers and on policy"

‌The event is aimed at staff and students of law, the practising legal profession, policy-makers at all governmental levels, specialist media and the general public.

Further information on the programme, conference fees etc:

Study Politics at Swansea University

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