Firms defiant as Slovak legislation for foreigners loomsSolicitors in Slovakia have vowed to fight on despite the prospect of a draconian law on foreign lawyers (see [2001] Gazette, 11 January, 6).Hugh Owen, the head of Allen & Overy's Bratislava office, said it is 'very unlikely that we'll change our operations' even if the law is passed.The draft Advocacy Act would require foreign lawyers to pass the Slovak Bar exam in the Slovak language; it is also thought that by defining foreign lawyers as European lawyers, the Act would make it illegal for non-European lawyers to practise altogether.

The head of Linklaters' Bratislava office, Jason Mogg, is Canadian but requalified as an English solicitor last year.

It is not known whether this would be enough to bring him within the definition.

Mr Owen said: 'I'll just have to learn Slovak a bit quicker and take some exams.'The Law Society is waiting to hear whether the European Commission will take action as the draft law breaches Slovakia's EU accession agreement.

Neil Rose