Laurie Watt

Laurie Watt spent his entire career after qualification in 1972 as a Solicitor with Messrs Charles Russell Speechlys.  It was at the time a well known but small, six partner firm, then called Charles Russell & Co.  He became a partner in 1974 and was elected Senior Partner in 1998 and re-elected twice until 2006 when he became a Consultant under the title ‘Senior Counsel’ and in which role he remained until he retired from the firm in 2017. There, he specialised in Commercial Litigation of all types with an emphasis on international cases. He took over responsibility for the firm’s Government Clientele in the late 1970’s until 2006.

Since his retirement from the firm he continues, privately, in an advisory role with contact with his old alma mater when formal advice needs to signed off.

From the Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong in 1983, Laurie represented the firm at every Commonwealth Law Conference (save one) until he became more directly involved in the Commonwealth Lawyers Association as Treasurer and Chair of its Executive Committee in 2008 and thereafter has continued to be actively involved in all aspects of the CLA, including being involved in organising and participating in the Conferences.

In 2023 at the CLC in Goa, Laurie persuaded the President that now the technology was so good, he, as President (Brian Speers), should be chairing the Executive Committee and Laurie also stepped down as Treasurer, feeling that it was about time someone a bit younger should take over. He still remains actively involved and is on the Papers Committee for the next CLC in Malta and is also involved in various of the new Committees.