Magna Carta

King Charles’ flyover tribute pauses Supreme Court arguments

The U.S. Supreme Court, during a recent hearing about the Alien Tort Statute, paused when Chief Justice John Roberts stopped the courtroom questioning to make an announcement.

May 1, 2026 11:23 AM CDT

ABA will bring lawyers to the UK to celebrate historic 1924 visit

In 1924, J. Carroll Hayes penned a detailed account of “a most unique occurrence in the legal world”—the first ABA visit to the United Kingdom. This fall, the International Law Section will commemorate this historic meeting of the minds with “100 Years of the ABA in the United Kingdom: Tradition, Innovation and Influence.”

Sep 26, 2024 12:22 PM CDT

The organized bar must address attacks on the judiciary

It is a critical time for all citizens, and especially lawyers, to remain vigilant to protect the independence of the judiciary.

In recent years, and in recent days, attacks on the judiciary have increased, while public understanding of the essential role of the judiciary has diminished.

May 31, 2018 7:15 AM CDT

Choir of lawyers is a hit at Magna Carta celebration

When the ABA was planning the Opening Session for its London Sessions commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta this summer, it wanted to strike just the right note for musical interludes. But rather than reach out into the ranks of London's professional ensembles, then-ABA President William C. Hubbard decided to stay within the family, so to speak.

Nov 1, 2015 12:50 AM CDT

Royalty joins the ABA in marking the 800th birthday of the Magna Carta

With much honor and ceremonial display, the Magna Carta celebrated its 800th birthday on June 15 on the same hallowed ground where King John originally sealed it. Dignitaries from around the world met at historic Runnymede, England, to celebrate the Magna Carta’s worldwide impact while promising to rededicate themselves to…

Aug 1, 2015 1:30 AM CDT

Political powers blunt good law, human rights lawyer says

The inspirational, and aspirational, template of the Magna Carta for the constitutions and legal documents that succeeded it was a recurring theme at the ABA London Sessions. But words and phrases are only as good as the intentions of government institutions tasked with upholding and enforcing them. That was hammered…

Aug 1, 2015 1:20 AM CDT

Speakers consider the grand sweep of the Great Charter

As with most historical occasions, the Magna Carta’s birthday was a time for looking back at what could have been and forward at what may be in the future. At an early program of the 2015 ABA London Sessions, the question pondered was: What if King John had decided to…

Aug 1, 2015 1:10 AM CDT

UK trade envoy: ‘I’d give anything’ for the ABA to work with the Iraqi judiciary

The rule of law as embodied in the Magna Carta needs to be brought to the people who need it most, said Baroness Emma Nicholson during her luncheon speech at the ABA London Sessions. “People want freedom. People want the rule of law,” Nicholson said. “They want these two things,…

Aug 1, 2015 1:00 AM CDT

What can US, UK lawyers learn from each other?

American and British lawyers can learn from each other and borrow examples of good practice to improve litigation and arbitration overall, attorneys said at a panel discussion at the ABA London Sessions. In recent years, international arbitration has borrowed good practices from both the U.S. and the U.K. legal systems,…

Aug 1, 2015 12:50 AM CDT

Laws need to catch up to high-speed trading

Insider trading and the laws needed to prosecute those illegal trades continue to evolve as new issues and technologies emerge, attorneys said during a panel discussion at the ABA London Sessions. The fast-changing landscape is best illustrated by the recent case of Navinder Singh Sarao, the British man who is…

Aug 1, 2015 12:45 AM CDT

Corporations have a role in (and gain benefits from) promoting the rule of law

That global corporations can—and should—play an important role in promoting the rule of law around the world was the consensus of a panel of attorneys, barristers and academics gathered for a seminar at the ABA London Sessions. The “Global Corporations and the Rule of Law” program was sponsored by the…

Aug 1, 2015 12:40 AM CDT

Magna Carta’s 800th birthday brings vows of rededication to its ideals

Clarified: With much honor and ceremonial display, the Magna Carta celebrated its 800th birthday on Monday on the same hallowed ground where King John originally sealed it. Dignitaries from around the world met at historic Runnymede, England, to celebrate the Magna Carta’s worldwide impact while promising to rededicate themselves to…

Jun 15, 2015 10:38 AM CDT

Missed out on the Magna Carta celebrations? Check out our social media roundup

People from both sides of the Atlantic flocked to London and Runnymede from June 11-15 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta. But if you didn’t make it to any of the ceremonies and seminars, never fear. You can catch up on all the happenings…

Jun 15, 2015 9:10 AM CDT

After 800 years, what’s next for the Magna Carta?

With 800 years in the book for the Magna Carta (800 more than it was intended to have), what’s next for this venerated document? On Sunday, during the ABA London Sessions commemorating the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, an all-star panel consisting of a knight, three…

Jun 14, 2015 9:04 AM CDT

Where rule of law is present, corporations can invest and promote human rights, panelists say

Global corporations can, and should, play an important role in promoting the rule of law around the world. That was the consensus of a panel of attorneys, barristers and academics during a Saturday seminar at the ABA London Sessions commemorating the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta.…

Jun 13, 2015 11:58 AM CDT