Lord David Hope, Baron Hope of Craighead, who recently retired as Deputy President of the Supreme Court, will mark his appointment as Patron of The Aberdeen Law Project, with a speech next February at The University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Hall.

During a 50 year career, Lord Hope served as Scotland’s head of judiciary in the posts of Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General.

Lord Hope said,

“I am delighted to have been invited to give this lecture and I am looking forward very much to visiting Aberdeen again.”

Anna Robertson, Student Director of The Aberdeen Law Project, said,

“Lord Hope has enjoyed a remarkable career and we are very honoured and proud to have him visit The Project to give an address in his capacity as Patron.

"Lord Hope's lecture will take place at the start of our fifth year and we are looking forward to using the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate all that has been achieved since The Project was founded in 2009."

International legal firm Pinsent Masons, a long-standing supporter of The Aberdeen Law Project, will sponsor the event.

Roger Connon, Head of Pinsent Masons’ Aberdeen office, said,

“Our firm has strong associations with The University of Aberdeen and our lawyers have provided pro bono support to The Aberdeen Law Project since 2010. We are therefore particularly pleased to sponsor Lord Hope’s lecture marking his appointment as Patron of this impressive student initiative.”

The lecture, entitled “Apprentice to Supreme Court Justice: reflections on the art of lawyering”, will take place on Wednesday, 19 February, 2014.