BDJLD at the European Law Conference 2026: Insights from Gibraltar

On 8 October 2026, Daisy Kershaw and Jenny Sanderson, President and Vice President of the Bournemouth & District Junior Lawyers Division (BDJLD), had the pleasure of attending the European Law Conference 2026 in Gibraltar, alongside members of the Bournemouth & District Law Society (BDLS).

The 2026 conference marked the first occasion on which funding had been provided to enable members of the BDJLD Committee to attend, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with members of the BDLS in a setting that is not often accessible to junior lawyers. The conference struck an ideal balance between professional development and networking, allowing Daisy and Jenny to broaden their understanding of the Gibraltarian legal system, build relationships beyond their usual professional circles, and experience a different culture.

A different legal and cultural landscape

Although Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory with strong English influences, Spanish culture remains deeply embedded in everyday life, with Spanish widely spoken throughout the territory. During their visit, Daisy and Jenny gained a fascinating insight into the Gibraltarian legal system and the ways in which it differs from that of the United Kingdom. With a population of approximately 35,000, Gibraltar faces unique challenges, often requiring legislation to be applied and interpreted in a way that reflects its size, geography, and the needs of its community.

Visit to Gibraltar’s Parliament

A highlight of the visit was a trip to Gibraltar’s Parliamentary Building, where Daisy and Jenny had the opportunity to meet Karen Ramagge Phillips, the first female Speaker of Parliament and the first woman to sit as a Supreme Court Judge in Gibraltar. She shared valuable insights into the operation of the Gibraltarian legal system, including the importance of considering local circumstances when incorporating and applying English law. Her reflections on her career, the challenges she had overcome, and the determination required to succeed also brought a particularly personal perspective to discussions around representation and progression within the legal profession.

Comparing island jurisdictions

Having both moved to Bournemouth from overseas islands, Daisy from Guernsey and Jenny from Gran Canaria, they were particularly interested in drawing comparisons between Gibraltar and their respective home jurisdictions. Their own experiences provided an interesting perspective on the discussions, highlighting both similarities and differences between the legal systems. One particularly interesting point for Daisy was Gibraltar’s retention of jury trials. In contrast, Guernsey, despite having approximately twice Gibraltar’s population, no longer uses juries, largely due to the difficulties of finding sufficiently independent individuals to sit on cases within a relatively small community.

Gibraltar after Brexit

The conference also provided an insight into Gibraltar’s evolving relationship with the United Kingdom and Spain. Daisy and Jenny learnt about the recent post-Brexit agreement signed in Brussels, which aims to facilitate cross-border movement, and explored the practical implications for those living and working in the region.

The value of international experience for junior lawyers

For junior lawyers, opportunities to explore another jurisdiction’s legal framework and engage directly with professionals who play a key role in its legal system are invaluable. The conference provided a rare opportunity to broaden perspectives, deepen understanding of international legal practice and strengthen professional connections. It was an educational and memorable experience, highlighting the importance of enabling junior lawyers to engage with the wider legal community and develop a broader understanding of the profession.