Lawyers hailed for foreign income boost

UK lawyers were this week praised by the Lord Chancellor for generating 1 billion of foreign earnings each year and providing jobs for 250,000 people, helping to attract trade to the UK.Lord Irvine told a high-powered reception hosted by Law Society President David McIntosh that his department is working to expand British legal services at home and overseas.The reception celebrated the success of UK legal services in the global market and was attended by leading partners from all five magic circle firms among others.The Lord Chancellor said: 'I am keen for my department to work closely with the sector in promoting British legal services abroad, and the UK as an international centre for dispute resolution and other legal services...

Government can add value; it can help clear the way ahead and provide a vital momentum for progress.'He added that the LCD was working with the Law Society to help open markets such as Japan, Korea, Brazil, China, Slovakia and Romania to UK lawyers.'The free movement of lawyers is a crucial element, not only in spreading the rule of law and respect for human rights, but also in economic development,' Lord Irvine said.Mr McIntosh said the 1 billion figure is an underestimate because it records only billings out of the UK.He added that his programme as president includes visiting China and Korea in the new year.

'These visits are aimed at widening the doorways to English and Welsh solicitors in those important emerging economies,' he said.Jeremy Fleming