I have recently returned from a fascinating visit to the People’s Republic of China where I and my colleague, Judy Ramjeet, lectured to a university and met Chinese lawyers. We were warmly greeted and the subjects upon which I spoke were received with courtesy and active interest by students, academics and practising lawyers.

They showed a curiosity about the common law and our systems of criminal justice which surprised us – and that surprise was increased when the criminal defence lawyers confirmed that the system in China, which changes in the new year, is remarkably close to our system; albeit with Chinese characteristics.

However, it was quite apparent that Chinese academics and students are interested in working as interns with English law firms. Most of their interest is in commercial work and a number of London commercial solicitors’ firms have links with Peking [Beijing], Fudan and other universities. However, some students wish to learn more about our criminal justice system which, with its faults, is still held as a beacon for the rest of the world.

The students we met were all incredibly polite, spoke good English and had enquiring minds. They understood the rules about confidentiality of communications between client and lawyer (which now applies in China) and said that they would respect that in the UK.

The watchword in Chinese legal academic circles is ‘globalisation’ – and the sharing of philosophies between countries with very differing social systems. Solicitors in England and Wales can and should actively support this concept. I would urge solicitors who wish to forge links with China and Chinese lawyers and/or universities to make their willingness to take interns known to me and I will do my best to communicate with the academics I met.

Julian Young, Julian Young & Co, London W1