Securing the City's advantage

At the beginning of this month we focused the spotlight on City law firms being best placed to take advantage of global liberalisation (see [2003] Gazette, 1 May, 12).

Now we get a lesson from key players in the City itself on the need to guard against complacency.

Many may chortle dismissively at the idea of London being supplanted by Paris, Geneva or Stockholm as the supreme commercial law jurisdiction.

But speakers at this week's conference organised by the Lord Mayor of London warned against falling into just such a trap (see [2003] Gazette, 22 May, 1).

For some time, the Law Society has been advising practitioners that 19th-century arrogance towards clients is not appropriate in a 21st-century consumer-orientated culture.

And that advice holds just as true in the City boardrooms as it does in high street shop-front offices.

It is a point that the Lord Mayor - himself a barrister - seems to appreciate, as he encouraged all lawyers to 'integrate with society at large' and reiterated his appeal for resources to be targeted at London's commercial court.

City lawyers have a great advantage in imperial inheritance, the English language, their geographical position and - of course - their high levels of skill and talent.

But they must not assume their advantages will always be so secure.