Taking on the world

The legal arena is one where UK firms go head to head with their US rivals as equals

Fifteen years ago, if a City law firm branched out to the English provinces it was big news.

But have a look at this list now: Brazil, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Indonesia, Russia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Poland and Belgium.

These are just some of the jurisdictions in which three leading City players - Linklaters, Herbert Smith and Richards Butler - have a presence.Their enterprise has been rightly rewarded with this year's Queen's Award for Enterprise, following three other law firm winners from recent years.Indeed, there are not many corners of the globe English firms are afraid to explore.

So it is a well deserved acknowledgement of that success that has been made this week, and it is to be hoped that these awards mark the beginning of a trend in that recognition.

For the last few years, the Law Society has been trumpeting the huge contribution law firms make to the UK's invisible earnings.

Britain used to be lead the world in manufacturing.

For the most part those days have passed, with the modern emphasis on the service industry.It is good to see the establishment now recognising that the solicitors' profession can lead the world in that field.

Most areas of professional services are dominated by the Americans, but the legal arena is one where UK firms go head to head with their US rivals as equals.

This achievement deserves recognition.