Charges dropped against 29 solicitors accused of practising illegally in GreecePIRAEUS: Pressure from Europe contributes to dropping of criminal case against 12 firmsTwenty-nine English solicitors facing criminal proceedings for practising illegally in the Greek port of Piraeus have had the charges against them dropped.

The Misdemeanor Court of Piraeus has decided that the lawyers from the 12 English firms with offices in Piraeus were practising entirely within EU law.

The firms are: Norton Rose, Richards Butler, Watson Farley & Williams, Ince & Co, Holman Fenwick & Willan, Stephenson Harwood, Hill Taylor Dickinson, Clyde & Co, Williamson & Horrocks, Hughes Hooker & Co, Crump & Co and Hewett & Co.In October 1999, the solicitors were charged with falsely representing themselves as Greek lawyers after a complaint filed by the Piraeus Bar Association (PBA).

The PBA argued that only Greek-qualified lawyers could practise law in Greece.

The PBA also claimed the firms were practising illegally through trading companies rather than traditional law firms which was done, on local legal advice, to get around the problem of requalification.

Nigel Bowen-Morris, a partner in the Piraeus office of Stephenson Harwood, said he was pleased with the outcome: English and Greek firms have a lot to learn from each other and the proceedings were not in the best interests of either side.There is an understandable concern in Europe about the expansion of Anglo-Saxon law firms, but as an advocate of free trade I believe it will lead to greater prosperity for all.Since the case began, Greece has implemented the EU lawyers establishment directive, which gives EU lawyers the right to establish a permanent base in any member state.The Law Society co-ordinated the English firms case since the start of the dispute.

Last year, the Society complained about the restrictions to the European Commission, which strongly backed the solicitors.Law Society President Michael Napier said: We are pleased the matter has been settled.

It can only be good news for everyone if EU lawyers are able to move freely between countries and offer legal advice and representation to clients.See Editorial, page 14Neil Rose