From London to Lahore, LawSoc gets international

The Law Society has always had a considerable international presence. For many years we’ve invested time and energy in work to open up markets abroad. This work continues, but we are also increasingly focusing on helping English and Welsh solicitors take advantage of the rich new stream of international business. Whether it be opening doors through trade missions or opening eyes through conferences on cross-border litigation, this is set to grow and grow.

This month we launch our new International Division. This is an exciting development and we provide a new service to help both individuals and firms take advantage of all the opportunities in other jurisdictions and raise their profile internationally.

Our international work has, however, never been 100% business-focussed. You may have read about our campaign to assist our sister society in Zimbabwe. We hope to raise £100,000 by the end of the year to provide them with the equipment and financial support they need to operate, following attempt after attempt to silence them.

We have also launched an online petition calling for a return to the rule of law in Pakistan. This isn’t just out of solidarity. Today I’ve read that the final legal barrier preventing General Musharraf standing for re-election has been lifted. To say I’m sceptical about the independence of this decision is an understatement. Next month I will take the petition to Downing Street, and I shall use every opportunity to remind our Government of their responsibilities.

Some might ask what this has to do with UK solicitors. Well, I say the rule of law is something we should all stand up for – be it in Lahore or London.

What’s more, it costs the Society and the profession next to nothing while demonstrating the profession’s enduring commitment to values that are the foundation of a civil society - and also projecting solicitors in the most positive of lights.