Scotland has long been a land of profound thinkers, reformers, and visionaries—figures like Robert Burns, who gave voice to social justice, and Adam Smith, whose insights into governance and economics shaped modern legal systems. Today, Gav Ward proposes a new approach to Scots law through Ward’s Law and The Gav Ward Code, advocating for legal reform, technological integration, and enhanced access to justice. And throughout this post is threaded some of the messaging of Rabbie Burns and Adam Smith thanks to new AI technology. More will be revealed on that in due course (my goal is to have at least one TV interview in 2025 discussing the approach to this if any journalists reading are so inclined to extend an invite…).
This blog post is not intended to provide the answers but instead to offer some of the best principles for the future of Scots Law. A team of future Scottish law students or legal practitioners can hopefully read, learn, and understand these messages for the best of our country. Gav Ward was fortunate to qualify as a lawyer in Scotland in 2010 and also won the Bennett Miller Prize at Glasgow University for Obligations in Final 4th Year Honours, thanks to the excellent legal teaching of Professor Mark Godfrey.
Robert Burns: Justice and Equality in Scots Law
Robert Burns’s poetry championed fairness and human dignity, inspiring calls for justice that resonate today. His famous line, “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn,” reminds us of the importance of legal protections for the vulnerable.
Inspired by Burns, Ward’s Law advocates for:
- Accessible Legal Services – Ensuring affordable and inclusive legal aid for all Scots, especially marginalised communities.
- Modernised Dispute Resolution – Introducing streamlined systems to simplify processes.
- Fair Representation – Promoting legal literacy and affordable advocacy services to reduce inequalities.
Adam Smith: Governance and Efficiency in Scots Law
Adam Smith’s theories of governance inform Ward’s vision of a fair, effective, and scalable legal framework. Smith understood that systems must balance individual freedoms with collective well-being—principles that guide Ward’s Law.
Key reforms inspired by Smith include:
- Simplification of Scots Law – Reducing complexity to make the law easier to navigate.
- Investment in Legal Technology – Leveraging AI and data analytics to improve efficiency.
- Economic Incentives for Innovation – Encouraging businesses to innovate under clear legal protections.
Ward’s Law: A Framework for Modern Scots Law
Ward’s Law proposes a global legal framework adaptable to local contexts, enabling Scotland to set benchmarks in law and governance. It prioritises:
- Interconnectedness – Recognising shared global challenges in rights, sustainability, and commerce.
- Innovation and Accessibility – Harnessing AI tools to streamline case handling and improve access.
- Sustainable Reforms – Building systems that are scalable, efficient, and ethical.
- Justice for All – Ensuring equality in representation and outcomes.
The Gav Ward Code: Principles Guiding Legal Progress
The Gav Ward Code provides 10 principles that align legal evolution with ethical and technological advancements, including:
- Foster Interconnectedness – Strengthen ties with international legal systems.
- Explore Beyond Limits with Timeless Vision – Innovate boldly, using AI and data insights.
- Question Everything – Rethink outdated systems for scalable solutions.
- Balance Technology and Ethics – Ensure advancements enhance fairness and transparency.
Scotland’s Opportunity with Devolved Powers
With devolved powers from Westminster, Scotland has the flexibility to:
- Develop its own family, property, and employment laws to match modern challenges.
- Introduce AI-driven courts to improve efficiency.
- Expand legal aid programs to enhance access to justice.
- Simplify complex laws and procedures to reduce delays and costs.
By taking bold steps, Scotland can lead legal innovation globally.
On The Bennett Miller Prize for Obligations Honours
P.S. when I was at the University of Glasgow School of Law I was lucky enough to win the Bennett Miller Prize (“Endowed in 1976 through the generosity of Hassan Ali Diab, PhD 1972, the Bennett Miller Prize is awarded annually in the School of Law at the University of Glasgow to the most distinguished Honours graduate in Private Law. In the event of competitive claims, preference shall be given to the graduate whose performance in the honours courses pertaining to the Mercantile aspects of Private Law is most distinguished.”
Other winners included the following much smarter people:- Garry Borland KC and John MacGregor QC (KC) of Axiom Advocates, Louise Buchan, Ross Faulds, David Canning, Stephanie Law et al, per attached). At that time it came with a £270 cheque and, from memory, I believe Mr Diab’s intention was, given that he was also a beneficiary of the great legal education at the university, to help future generations succeed. Hoping to pay it forward now and in future years – starting with my donation to the Baublefest fundraising campaign of the Law Society of Scotland and hopefully with volunteering with great lawyers and equality advocates Fraser Mackay, Thomas McGovern, Matthew Simpson and Team at Disabling Barriers Scotland from 2025 onwards.
Conclusion: Writing Scotland’s Next Legal Chapter
Inspired by Burns’s poetry and Smith’s economics, Gav Ward’s vision offers a pathway to reshape Scots law for the 21st century. By balancing tradition and technology, Ward’s Law and The Gav Ward Code invite Scotland to embrace its heritage while writing a bold new chapter in legal history.
Again, this blog post is not intended to provide the answers but instead to offer some of the best principles for the future of Scots Law. A team of future Scottish law students or legal practitioners can hopefully read, learn, and understand these messages for the best of our country.
P.S. for my children Lucy and Rory, as part of the Code, it’s worth noting that Robert Burns was born round the corner from where your dad studied, did work experience in law firms of the town and played music and performed (not very well) in the concert halls of Ayr. His poetry and songs are timeless. Tomorrow we’ll hear Auld Lang Syne across the world. Perhaps one day we’ll see a similar thing with these principles above.
P.P.S. sorry about the gavel. They’re not in Courts of the jurisdictions around the UK…yet. For the number of times and indeed wasted time I’ve heard people making this point, and to inject a bit more formality into the legal system, could someone in the Scottish Courts systems not perhaps consider going here https://www.amazon.co.uk/gavel/s?k=gavel and updated procedures? AI is, seemingly, going to be showing a LOT more gavels in its images in the coming years. It could help the Scottish legal system stand out compared to the other devolved nations of the UK, for instance, and bring it into line with our friends in the US? But not Canada – they have neither gavels nor wigs…
