The Law Society has agreed to set up a training scheme for young South Korean lawyers as it seeks to persuade the south-east Asian country to go further in liberalising its legal market than the latest offer it has made under the Doha round of talks at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The agreement with the Korean Bar Association was reached during a visit by the Lord Mayor of London, Linklaters commercial property partner Robert Finch, last week.


Alison Hook, head of international at the Society, said the scheme is designed to help young Korean lawyers gain experience of international legal practice in the UK. Currently, most young Koreans will head for the US to gain advanced qualifications and experience.



Under the proposals, Korean lawyers would do an academic stage in the UK, go through skills training and then take an exam that would give them a diploma. This qualification may in future be linked to the qualified lawyers transfer test. Students on the scheme may also be able to do a placement at a City firm or in Hong Kong.


Ms Hook said the Society hoped the move would allay in part the concerns of members of the Korean Bar Association and persuade them that liberalising their legal market was a 'win-win' situation.


So far, the South Korean government has only offered to allow foreign firms to open offices but not to employ Korean lawyers or to enter into partnership with them.


The Korean Bar has agreed to fund half of the training scheme, which is similar to one run successfully with China since 1988.