Ah the Magna Carta. AKA Magna Carta Libertatum or the Great Charter of the Liberties in English.
First drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to ensure peace between the unpopular King John of England and a group of unhappy barons in 1215, the Magna Carta has now become a symbol of access to justice, equality before the law and Rule for Law.
Details of its storied history throughout its 800-year-long existence will probably bore you to tears, but know that the Charter is a foundation for Common Law systems, including ones practices in the UK, Singapore and many other countries.
Only four surviving exemplifications of the original document still remain today — and one of them is currently on public display at the Supreme Court building as part of its 800th anniversary and (sigh) SG50.
The display is part of an accompanying exhibition called “Magna Carta and Us”, which collages historical footprints tracing the birth of the Singapore Constitution and how the Magna Carta influenced our legal development.
The exhibition will go on till Nov 23 at the Supreme Court Auditorium, open daily from 8.30am to 8pm. More details on the Supreme Court website.
Photo: smuconlaw via Flickr
