Lithuanians discover British tactics

BRITISH lawyers have taken their skills to Lithuania in a seminar organised by the Trainee Solicitors' Group.

The event, at the end of last month, was part of a twinning project with the Lithuanian Young Bar Association and was funded by the European Union and the Foreign Office.

Its aim was to give young lawyers in Lithuania practical advice and assistance about the practices of Western lawyers. The trip was co-ordinated by Louise Bell, TSG International Relations Officer and a newly-qualified solictor at Wedlake Bell.

She said: "The purpose of the trip was to provide a foundation for on-going co-operation.

"The seminar was practical and concentrated on commercial matters. Commercial law has only existed in Lithuania since its break from the former Soviet Union in 1991."

Fionnuala McCredie, a barrister with 3 Serjeants' Inn, advised on Western negotiating skills and techniques. Rebecca Haynes of 4 Raymond Buildings spoke on EU law. Peter Jansen, a partner with Wedlake Bell, and Simon Harper of Lovell White Durrant lectured on aspects of international arbitration and intellectual property law.

Declan Cushley, a trainee solicitor with Freeth Cartwright Hunt Dickins and vice-chair of TSG, also went to Lithuania. He said: "As they are working in an emerging market economy and a new democracy, lawyers in Lithuania are extremely interested in learning about the British experience of constitutional and commercial law.

"The trip was extremely worthwhile. It was definitely a success and it will need to be followed up."