The Meeting of Commonwealth Law Ministers is being held in Edinburgh from July 7-10, 2008. The Meeting was officially opened by Rt. Hon'ble Alex Fergusson, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament at the Holyrood (seat of the Scottish Parliament) on July 7, 2008. Hon'ble Minister for Law and Justice of India Mr. H.R. Bhardwaj accompanied by Law Secretary of India Mr. T.K. Vishwanathan are representing India at the Meeting. The agenda of the Meeting is wide ranging covering all important issues of law and justice, especially the rule of law. A special session of the Law Ministers Meeting was held on July 8 to deliberate on the theme "The Developing Role of the Justice Minister in the Light of Challenges Facing the Rule of Law in the Commonwealth." The Indian Minister was one of the Panellists at the discussion.

Speaking at the Ministerial Session of the Meeting, Minister for Law and Justice Mr. H.R. Bhardwaj highlighted the role of independent judiciary, the financial autonomy for the judiciary, functioning of the Attorney General and other Law Officers. He said "India has an excellent track record in the promotion of the rule of law. In fact the Indian judiciary has taken the lead in amplifying the concept of rule of law expounded by the celebrated expert A.V. Dicey in the last century as an anti thesis of arbitrariness." The Indian Minister supported the Commonwealth Secretariat's strategic plan for promotion of democracy and development through the rule of law.

The Meeting of Commonwealth Law Ministers would issue a final communique of the Meeting on July 10. They are also preparing to issue Edinburgh Statement on Rule of Law and the Action Plan of the Edinburgh Meeting of the Commonwealth Law Ministers.

It may be added that India is the largest member country with 60% of the total population of the Commonwealth and has been contributing positively to its activities.