Since then, the Chinese legal market and profession has burgeoned, keeping pace with the world’s fastest growing economy. Many of the 300 lawyers who participated in the programme returned to China to become leaders of China’s sophisticated and increasingly international legal profession, heading Chinese law firms and working for local lawyers’ associations. The time they spent studying the English legal system and working with solicitors and barristers in practical placements no doubt increased their legal knowledge and skills and their understanding of the English legal system and way that barristers operate. Some 25 chambers have supported the programme by offering chambers placements to these lawyers and, as a result, the Bar has developed close professional ties to Chinese lawyers and a better understanding of the Chinese legal landscape. The International Committee is considering how best to continue the Bar’s engagement with Chinese lawyers. It is planned for a smaller scale programme, focused on chambers placements to begin in 2012.