THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF SOLICITORS
OF THE CITY OF LONDON
(THE CITY OF LONDON SOLICITORS’ COMPANY)
City Solicitors
The City of London Solicitors’ Company is the Livery Company for solicitors who practise or have practised in the City of London. Its sister organisation is the City of London Law Society which operates to promote the professional interests of its members working in the City. Its membership comprises over 12,000 solicitors practising in the City of London, many of them in large firms, which have very substantial international representation.
The City of London Law Society operates 17 specialist committees covering areas such as Professional Rules, Company law, Regulation, Financial law, Planning law, Litigation and Insolvency. Through the workings of these Committees, the Society researches and debates current legal issues and makes recommendations to government, the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority and other agencies on new laws or legal developments. The Committees produce work of national and international significance for the profession.
World Class and Fit for the Future
■ The City of London Law Society’s membership includes some of the largest international law firms. They employ between 45% and 65% of their lawyers outside the UK and advise multinational companies and Government Departments often on complex multi-jurisdictional legal issues. Legal Services contribute significantly to the UK economy with exports of Legal Services by international firms amounting to £1.6 billion in 2005.
■ The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority, which is the regulatory body for all solicitors working in England and Wales, controls all aspects of qualifying as a solicitor. Whilst there are different ways of becoming a solicitor everyone must complete both academic and vocational training. Qualified lawyers from overseas jurisdictions may be able to transfer to the roll of Solicitors of England and Wales by successfully completing the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, if they meet the eligibility criteria. There is also an alternative route for qualified European lawyers.
Country Issues
■ City law firms undertake work in many countries around the world and international practice rights are always an important area for City solicitors. The City of London Solicitors’ Company works closely with the international department of the Law Society on this matter. Of particular importance is the Doha round of trade talks and practice rights for lawyers in countries such as China, India, Korea and South Africa.
Contact Neil Cameron on 020 7329 2173 or mail@citysolicitors.org.uk