New Gila chairman Michael Morris, fourth from left, with committee members, from the left, Dawn Tindall, Rob Jones, Maxime Le Tocq, Emma Roberts, Chet Pohl, Rachel Richardson and Mathew Newman. Treasurer Richard Whitford was not available for the picture. (Picture by Brian Green, 1173112)

THE new committee of the Guernsey International Legal Association has been formed and is already close to securing a high-profile speaker to come to the island early next year.

Cherie Booth, the Matrix Chambers QC and wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair, spoke in the island at the start of last year to mark the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebrations, and according to new Gila president Michael Morris, the committee hopes to be able to announce the securing of a future speaker of a similar stature to Ms Booth shortly.

‘We have got some big shoes to fill after our Cherie Booth presentation, but we have hopefully got some exciting things planned.

‘We hope to have someone very high profile at the start of the year,’ said Mr Morris.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.