The government will push for liberalisation of legal practice rights in Asia this week during a ministerial whistle-stop tour of the Philippines, Korea and Malaysia.

David Lammy, the minister in the Department for Constitutional Affairs, will discuss liberalisation of legal services in the broader context of the General Agreements on Trade and Services (GATS) - the current World Trade Organisation initiative - in those countries.

Korea has already made an offer in the GATS round, and Mr Lammy will meet the ministers of justice and trade to discuss what further progress can be made.

Mr Lammy will also encourage senior government ministers in Malaysia and the Philippines to make similar offers.

As yet, neither country has done so.

Mr Lammy said: 'I am personally committed to this programme as I am convinced it brings benefits to both sides.

The presence of foreign lawyers has led to a more competitive and dynamic sector as our own firms have assimilated the innovation, technology and local expertise, which their foreign counterparts have brought with them.'

The Law Society is working in concert with the government in its attempt to liberalise these markets.

Alan Jenkins, the head of international at Eversheds' London office, said: 'We welcome this initiative.

We've been working with the Law Society and the government on it and we look forward to the government's efforts succeeding.'

Meanwhile, the friendship agreement between Tokyo's Dai-Ichi bar association and the Law Society was signed last week (see [2003] Gazette, 2 October, 5).

Jeremy Fleming