Links With Commonwealth Counterparts

Law Society Strengthens Links With Commonwealth Counterparts

The Law Society of England & Wales’ links with other law societies and bar associations in the Commonwealth look set to be strengthened as applications open for the 2010 Commonwealth Professional Fellowship Programme.

As part of Law Society International’s ongoing work to develop lasting relations with legal sectors around the world, the Fellowship – a six-week programme in the UK - allows participants to share their experiences as well as gain an insight into the institutions responsible for regulating and representing the legal profession.

The Fellowship is open to senior executives from law societies and bar associations of developing Commonwealth jurisdictions and will run from January 4 to February 12 2010.

Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, says:

“This is more than a behind the scenes look at the how the Law Society of England and Wales works. The Fellowship allows participants and the Law Society to share their experiences and best practice.

“The idea is that not only will the those on the programme return to their own organisations with new ways to develop key areas of their work, but they will go back with new contacts and links with the Law Society and external stakeholders.

Previous participants on the programme have come from Nigerian Bar Association, Law Society of Swaziland, the Law Society of Trinidad and Tobago and many other Commonwealth legal bodies.

All of those involved in the 2009 programme found it a valuable experience.

Don Deya, Chief Executive of the East Africa Law Society, says:

“The fellowship is practical and highly relevant to the CEOs of a developing country’s lawyers association. The ability to compare policies, strategies and institutional mechanisms with the Law Society of England and Wales, but also with the other Commonwealth Fellows, is extremely enriching.”

The Commonwealth Fellowship initiative involves a series of elements that give participants a broad taste of the legal landscape. Activities include:

•Attachments to Law Society, Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and Legal Complaints Service departments
•Participatory sessions on Practice Standards, Compliance, Complaints, Corporate Governance, Membership Services, Education & Training, Law Reform, Finance and Business Planning , Human Rights advocacy and Commercial Services.
•Work-shadowing with the Chief Executive and Senior Management team.
•Networking opportunities with UK law firms
•Visits to legal advice centres, law schools, government bodies, regional law societies, professional bodies, courts and NGOs.
•Management Skills Training Course

The deadline for applications to the 2010 Commonwealth Professional Fellowship Programme is May 1 2009.

For an application pack contact sarb.bajwa@lawsociety.org.uk

ENDS

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