Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller opened this year's 40th anniversary meeting of the Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association (CMJA).

Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller, who is president of the association, addressed delegates at the University of Brighton in the UK, on September 13.

The four-day conference attracted over 180 chief justices, judges and magistrates from 35 Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller told the gathering: "CMJA as we all know is a small organisation, but from the beginning it has always punched above its weight by focusing on major themes concerning law and society."

The conference discussed judicial independence, the role of the judiciary in human rights and war crimes cases, and the issue of piracy on the high seas.

Delegates also visited London's newly opened Supreme Court.