City firms target pact with the Spanish armada

The prospect of Spanish law firms gaining a foothold in the UK market is to move closer with the creation of a British-Spanish Law Association.

To be launched on 25 July, it aims to improve collaboration between the two jurisdictions as more City firms expand into Spain.

Alberto Perez Cedillo, chairman of the associations interim committee, said: Many British firms are branching into the Spanish market so there is greater need for lucid communication, which the association will offer.

As Spanish firms are traditionally small, few break into the UK market, Mr Cedillo added, but he hoped that the association would help them to understand the UK system and reverse this trend.

There are four Spanish firms in London and 12 City firms in Spain, in addition to some sole practitioners serving the ex-pat community.For details, contact the Law Society, tel: 020 7320 5773; fax: 020 7831 0057.

Or e-mail: angela.ogrady@lawsociety.org.ukAndrew Towler