Bulgaria 'door ajar'

British lawyers' ambitions in Bulgaria received a boost last week with a visit by Lord Chancellor's Department minister Baroness Scotland QC.

During her three-day trip, Baroness Scotland met leading figures in Bulgaria's judicial establishment, including the country's minister of justice and head of the Supreme Court of Appeal, to discuss opening practice rights to comply with European Union rules.

This issue is particularly relevant as Bulgaria has begun talks with the American Bar Association for help with drafting new practice rules.

Edward Woodcraft, partner at Ilford firm Woodcraft & Wright and secretary of the British Bulgarian Lawyers Association, said: 'There is a a lot of goodwill between legal parties in the UK and Bulgaria, but the British government tends to dip its toe in the water and then pull it out at the last minute.

'Naturally, the Bulgarians have gone with somebody [the ABA] who they think will take action.'

'I hope Baroness Scotland's trip goes some way to helping the situation, but we really shouldn't be in this position,' he said.

'But it's not too late yet - the door is still open.'

Christian Wisskirchen, the Law Society's policy executive for Europe, said: 'No solicitors are currently established in Bulgaria.

All the City firms are servicing their interests in the country from their other offices in the region.

'We asked Baroness Scotland to express our desire to assist in the development of the Bulgarian legal system.'

Andrew Towler