In brief: Europe to fund legal training in Middle East

The European Commission is funding a £320,000 programme which will see the Law Society of England and Wales run training programmes for Middle Eastern lawyers. Beginning in Lebanon early next year, the programmes will cover areas such as the importance of an independent judiciary, the rule of law and equal access to justice. English and Welsh solicitors will give their time free of charge for the training programmes, which will be held in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan.