Outward looking

I refer to your editorial headed 'Irvine needs to find his balance' (see [2000] Gazette, 27 July, 16).

It may or may not be churlish of you to contrast the Lord Chancellor's promotion of legal services overseas with his treatment of legal aid at home.

It is, however, inept to do so.

Our profession now needs to export its services abroad as much as possible to make up for the lack of capacity of our home market.

To enable us to do this, by opening up practice rights around the world, especially in large but restricted markets like Japan and India, we need all the governmental assistance we can get to overcome the political opposition involved.

There are enormous opportunities overseas, supported by the widespread use of the English language and English legal traditions.

We need to take advantage of these opportunities.

We should unreservedly welcome the fact that the Lord Chancellor has recognised all this and is seeking to support our efforts.

Robin Healey, Law Society council member for international practice