Major conferences in the US and Canada showed the importance of exporting legal services.

I recently had a whistle-stop tour of New York and Quebec, representing the Law Society at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) annual conference.

Both events confirmed how much solicitors in England and Wales have in common with our international counterparts and that there is a great deal to be gained from working together on issues of common interest.

Overseas business

Internationalisation is a defining feature of the modern legal market. It is clear that UK and US firms with an international client base hold a strong competitive position in the global market. The US and UK are successfully exporting legal services and it is essential that we maintain this momentum.

At both conferences, it was apparent that firms of all sizes were keen to develop their business overseas, and my impression was that small firms in the US and Canada were engaging more quickly in international markets than their counterparts here. It is important that we do not get left behind.

Opportunities to export legal services are not restricted to the magic circle; they exist to be exploited by small and medium-sized firms as well. The Law Society’s international division supports firms of every size by providing all the contacts, tools and information they need to do business internationally.

The Law Society has played an important role in opening new legal markets for many years, with considerable success. At the ABA conference, I had a positive meeting with the Korean Bar Association president Lee Jin-kang, to discuss our growing links with Korea and the opening of the Korean legal market to English firms in anticipation of the forthcoming EU-Korean Free Trade Agreement.

Issues of concern

The impact of the global economic downturn was, of course, a key concern. UK conveyancers are not alone in the challenges they face – US attorneys reported that the credit crunch is adversely affecting the US housing market. However, they seemed positively focused on the various ways in which they are trying to get the market moving again. Last week, I made representations to the government about the importance of the housing market to the health of our world-leading legal profession, and by extension, to protecting access to justice.

The UK’s approach to implementing anti-money laundering (AML) regulations was another topic of interest. I participated in an informal summit looking at AML procedures in various jurisdictions, and the other delegates were impressed by the Law Society’s guidance on this subject. It was encouraging to note that our AML work is highly valued internationally, and that we are leading the way in developing practical tools to help firms manage the impact of increasingly burdensome regulation.

Our international colleagues were interested to hear about the implications of the Legal Services Act. I expressed the view that the act protects and promotes the independence and integrity of UK lawyers, while allowing solicitors to pursue exciting opportunities for development and expansion in the new legal market.

Canada’s community spirit

I was struck by the close interaction between judges and members of Canada’s legal profession. In one excellent session at the CBA conference, judges gave detailed feedback on how an appeal should be presented to court to maximise the chances of success.

The Canadian legal profession is fused, so there is no separation between solicitors and barristers; judicial appointments are made from one body of practitioners. As a result, the judiciary is far more accessible than in the UK and engenders a much greater sense of community spirit. In addition, a greater number of senior practitioners have the opportunity to become QCs.

The rule of law and human rights

A major concern at any international meeting of lawyers is the promotion of the rule of law around the world. Not only is it an essential precondition for a prosperous, stable economy, but as solicitors we are bound to defend due process and human rights across the globe. The Law Society has a strong commitment to international human rights work.

I was pleased to attend a lunch at the ABA conference honouring lawyers and judges in Pakistan, at which awards were given to the president of the Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association and the vice-chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council. I was able to highlight our work in providing ongoing support to lawyers in that country.

I was proud to represent the Law Society at these important international conferences. Providing legal services is an international business, and similar social and economic factors are affecting firms all over the world. It is important that representative organisations share knowledge and information and learn from each other’s experiences.

The overwhelming impression I received while abroad was that it is impossible to overstate how well-respected English and Welsh lawyers are around the world. Not only is the Law Society held in high regard, but the independence and integrity of our profession is world-renowned.

Paul Marsh is President of the Law Society