The architect of Clementi-style reforms of France’s legal landscape visited Chancery Lane this week for a seminar organised by the Law Society’s international division.

Jean-Michel Darrois (pictured left), a company law specialist, headed a commission of academics, business people and other non-lawyers which published a review of France’s legal profession in April.

The report made more than 60 proposals, including joint training and fee sharing for all arms of the profession, and the creation of multi-disciplinary practices. French president Nicholas Sarkozy said its proposals will be ‘implemented next year’.

Darrois said that Sarkozy instigated the review because ‘French lawyers are not sufficiently present abroad’, particularly in corporate work.

The meeting also heard about how the reforms might affect the 264 English solicitors working in France, most of whom are in private practice.

Darrois recommended a turnover-based levy on the profession to boost France’s legal aid budget, which could increase the cost of operating in France.