We maintain and promote the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) is a membership association.

Our funding comes predominantly from paid membership subscriptions, sponsorship and our regular programme of conferences and events.

The organisation comprises a governing council, executive committee and a secretariat. Members of the council and executive committee are representative of the breadth and diversity of the Commonwealth.

CLA Council members for the period 1st February 2024 to 31st January 2026 are as follows:

CLA Office Bearers

Africa Hub:

Americas Hub:

Australasia Hub:

Europe Hub:

At Large:

Ex-Officio:

The Council

CLA’s council is responsible for the policies of CLA and comprises 60 members including a President, 4 Vice Presidents, Honorary Treasurer and representatives of Commonwealth member countries listed above. In addition, the council has four Honorary Life presidents who are non-voting members of the council.

There are a small number of other non-voting members such as the immediate past president and the council may also co-opt additional non-voting members for their particular area of legal expertise or where the council has a vacancy in that jurisdiction. These members are listed as ‘ex-officio‘.

Council members meet in person in conference years and virtually on a regular basis. All members of the council are volunteers. Council members are subject to election by the general membership every two years. Members are generally nominated by the governing bodies of their jurisdiction. Council members serve for two years but are eligible for re-election.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee are responsible for the day-to-day business and running of the association. The current Executive comprises voting members and ‘co-opted or ex-officio’ members who are non-voting members. Among its members are the Board of Directors for the CLA’s company limited. Members include senior working barristers and solicitors based in the Commonwealth. Members meet regularly throughout the year to offer their support and specialist legal knowledge to the association and to consider appropriate projects, interventions, and other general business of the association in line with CLA policies. Executive Committee members are volunteers and are appointed by the CLA’s council for a period of two years at after the council’s election and may serve more than one term of office.

Honorary Life Presidents

Throughout CLA’s history it has, on five occasions, recognised long service to the Association and the profession. Our honorary life presidents are considered by the membership to be persons who have distinguished themselves by their commitment and service.

In September 2007, Mr Colin Nicholls QC was made Honorary Life President of the CLA in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Graeme Mew, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

In April 2009, Dato Dr Cyrus Das was made Honorary Life President of the CLA in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the Association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Ron Heinrich, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong.

In 2015, Mr Soli Sorabjee was made Honorary Life President at the General Meeting in Glasgow. Mr Sorabjee’s lifetime commitment to the legal profession and defence of the rule of law was unanimously acknowledged by members in attendance.

In 2019, Ron Heinrich was made an Honorary Life President in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the Association over many years. He was presented with the award by the outgoing President, Mr Santhaan Krishnan, at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Zambia.

In 2023, Mr Santhaan Krishnan was made an Honorary Life President at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Goa in recognition of his enduring commitment to the Association and his tireless efforts to promote engagement throughout the Commonwealth.

General Meetings of the Membership

A general meeting of the members is held during the biennial Commonwealth Law Conference, normally at the conference venue. The general meeting is open to all fully paid up members. It approves the minutes of previous meetings, receives reports from the Council, and receives the accounts of the CLA and delegates such authority as it considers necessary to facilitate the work of the CLA. Decisions at the general meeting are made on the basis of general consensus.