US lawyers from the American Bar Association's (ABA) section of international law and practice gathered in Brussels last week for a bit of legal chat and plenty of moules, frites and mayonnaise.

It was the first time the section has held a meeting abroad and the Belgians were naturally very excited about the event.

So much so, in fact, that the head of the French-speaking Brussels bar launched into unintended hyperbole by saying it was the first time the ABA, as a whole, had ever met anywhere outside of the US.

Clearly, it had slipped his mind that the association in fact held part of its annual conference in London only three years ago, and first came to London in 1924.

If nothing else, the US lawyers at the Brussels meeting were given a short and sweet lesson in translating the coded language of British advocates.

Toby Landau of Essex Court Chambers told a session on cross-cultural issues in international arbitration that 'if English counsel says "with respect" you know that he means no respect at all.

If he says "with the greatest respect" he means that you've got no idea what you are talking about.' Mr Landau also cautioned against 'Hollywood-style snazy graphics' when presenting before English judges in arbitrations.

Many judges 'would simply rather look the advocate directly in the eye,' he said.

Useful to know, even if you're not American.