A group of top City firms is behind a drive to give African lawyers work experience in the UK, a move hailed as a 'very important step' by the International Bar Association (IBA).

The initial goal of the programme - called International Lawyers for Africa - is to bring up to 20 qualified lawyers from African nations to the UK for three months next summer. The candidates will be chosen on a competitive basis from throughout the continent.


The visiting African lawyers will attend up to three high-level lectures and conferences every week, leaving at least two days a week to gain valuable experience in firms such as SJ Berwin, Herbert Smith, Clifford Chance and Olswang.


Timothy Taylor, head of international arbitration at SJ Berwin and a director of the project, said the bulk of the work experience would be in how international institutions work. But, he added: 'What people forget [is that] everyday office disciplines and the way that we project-manage things is a really valuable skillset. Because we work in law firms doing these things, we have forgotten that that's something we've learned.'


Mr Taylor said it is intended that every country in Africa should at some point be represented and that, if 20 visitors come to the UK, they should represent 20 nations.


IBA executive director Mark Ellis welcomed the initiative. 'I'm a firm believer in furthering the education of lawyers, whether they're in developing countries or not. It's a two-way street - it not only gives the young lawyer a tremendous experience and insight, but it's also good for the firms that are mentoring. I also believe very firmly that the legal profession has the responsibility to initiate these programmes.'


Though the spectre of brain drain looms when offering foreign work experience, Mr Taylor said that checks and balances would be built into the set-up in an attempt to prevent this. One major block will be a condition that firms will not be able to employ their visitor for five years.