The 24th Biennial Congress on the Law of the World: National Legal Cultures in a Globalized World, will take place October 23rd – 28th, 2011 in the Prague Congress Centre. The congress, which will bring together nearly 500 judges, lawyers, law professors and other professionals from around theworld, is organized by the World Jurist Association (WJA) in cooperation withLiberty Incentives & Congresses Prague.
“A world ruled by law, not force.” This has been the World Jurist Association (WJA)’s mission since its founding in 1963. The WJA was formed in response to an international outcry for a free and open forum where professionals in the field of law from around the world could work cooperatively to strengthen and expand the Rule of Law and its institutions through the nations of the world.As a non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council, the WJA provides a unique forum for the international community. The congresses continue to provide a forum where individuals from all nations and all areas of the legal profession can gather and exchange ideas and experiences.
Every two years, members of the legal profession gather at the WJA Biennial Congresses for 1 week, to discuss the important legal development of the time, formulate resolutions which are delivered to Heads of State and Government as well as used in dialogue with international organizations, such as the United Nations. These Congresses have seen many accomplishments in the furtherance of the Rule of Law. They are also a time of friendship, open dialogue, and celebration. The establishment and celebration of World Law Day is one such example. “We are very pleased that this year will be the question of the world’s legal systems discussed in Prague, which was given the opportunity to host this important legislation congress,” says Director of the Prague Convention Bureau Lenka Žlebková.
President Lyndon Johnson of the United States was the first Head of State to recognize World Law Day. Chief Justice Kisaburo Yokota of Japan, the first Honorary World Chairman of World Law Day, remarked, “The lawyers of the World have marked another important milestone in their struggle toward the great goal of international peace.” Justice Yokota went on to say that World Law Day calls upon the entire world to re-evaluate the place of law in the community of nations and to re-instill in our way of life the rule of law as an ultimate assurance of world peace
The International Demonstration Trial, another tradition started by the WJA, began in 1971. During the demonstration, hypothetical cases are argued by lawyers from various countries before a panel of Chief Justices of the world. The Demonstration Trials have educated lawyers and laypeople around the world and have shown that law can indeed replace war as the proper forum for decisions of international disputes. The Demonstration Trials give judges a time and place to express their great value to the peace process on a regular biennial basis.
