GATS: Europe's lawyers 'less resistant' to liberalisation.CCBE set to embrace global cross-border practice rules.

The body representing Europe's lawyers is set to make a dramatic move to accept a standard system of cross-border legal practice around the world.

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) will vote later this month on whether to accept the principle of foreign legal practitioners (FLPs), which would allow solicitors to practise under their home professional title in other countries without gaining a local qualification.

It comes as the European Commission is seeking representations from the CCBE on how it should approach the liberalisation of legal services in the next round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

CCBE president Dag Wersen told the Gazette this week that there is 'less resistance' to the FLP concept than in the past; the French in particular have long opposed it.

But it would come with conditions, he said, including: the foreign lawyer would have to come from a 'comparable, independent, regulated Bar' with a code of conduct which is in line with the CCBE code; that the lawyer would be restricted to undertaking his home state law; and the lawyer would not be able to undertake court work.

The scope of practice is likely to be an issue as such FLP regimes as already exist piecemeal around the world usually allow foreign lawyers to practise third country and international law as well.

Mr Wersen said the form of practice and whether FLPs would be allowed under the plan to go into partnership or employ host state lawyers - often a highly contentious subject - is still under consideration.Neil Rose