UK firms advised to build rapport with locals abroad

GUIDELINES: Law Society lists best practice for firms overseas

English law firms opening offices abroad should do all they can to build goodwill with the local profession, such as employing local lawyers and joining in its social activities, the Law Society has advised.Following the general move towards companies being good 'corporate citizens', the Society is distributing 'best practice guidelines for solicitors opening offices overseas'.The guidelines focus on the need to maintain good relations with local Bars from the start, encouraging early meetings where issues such as a firm's legal personality and scope of its work can be discussed.

'Solicitors abroad often find it helpful to participate, ideally through the local Bar, in the social and other activities of the host legal community,' they add.Some countries prohibit foreign firms from employing local lawyers.

Where they can, the Society says it can contribute 'to the knowledge base of the country, improvement of local pay and working conditions, as well as to the development of a strong, local legal profession, particularly if it is a developing country.' It could also encourage further market access liberalisation, the Society suggests.

Law Society President Michael Napier said: 'Law today is a global business for firms of all sizes.

Solicitors working abroad already contribute an estimated 1 billion annually to the economy.

As this figure increases in line with market expansion there is huge opportunity for firms to develop abroad.' The guidelines were required reading for all of them, he added.It is understood that the International Bar Association has initiated plans to draw up similar guidelines and may use those issued by the Society as a starting point.Neil Rose