A delegation of around 10 - 12 Korean commercial lawyers will visit the UK in April 2013. The programme will focus on international commercial law with a particular emphasis on arbitration, litigation and transactional work and will be delivered through practical placements in chambers and a bespoke academic programme provided by BPP Law School. This will be supplemented with a programme of legal seminars given by barristers and pre-organised social networking events.

The programme aims to give the Korean colleagues an understanding of the English legal system and of the Bar in particular. They will learn how to work with barristers in international practice, whilst at the same time building upon their legal skills and knowledge. The chambers that host the lawyers will gain a unique insight into the Korean legal market. In addition, useful business contacts will be established between lawyers of both jurisdictions.

The International Team is seeking barristers’ chambers willing to host these Korean Lawyers for two weeks, from 6 May to 17 May 2013. Interested chambers must have a solid international commercial practice (in the broader sense, this includes for example; international white-collar crime, construction, chancery etc.), and should be able to offer at least one main mentor and an alternate to guide the Korean lawyers through their placement.

This is a two–way scheme and a group of young barristers will be placed with Korean firms in return, thought to be in early 2014. This opportunity will be advertised nearer the time.

The second round of the Bar Council China Training Scheme will have a very similar structure but a longer placement period. The placements will take place from 10 June to 19 July 2013.

If you are interested in offering a placement under either scheme, please contact Natalie Darby at NDarby@BarCouncil.org.uk no later than 1 February 2013 for the Korean scheme and 29 March 2013 for the Chinese Scheme.