A new bilateral organisation for lawyers will strengthen business links between Brazil and the UK.
Lex Anglo-Brasil, which will be launched tonight at the Law Society, will bring together lawyers and in-house counsel with an interest in promoting business between the two jurisdictions.
Led by Sir David Wootton, former lord mayor and partner at Allen & Overy, the organisation will help UK lawyers to build and improve their networks in Brazil, providing greater opportunity to capitalise on the growth in South-South business.
The launch follows a Law Society and UK Trade & Investment-led legal services delegation to Sao Paulo last October, which coincided with the lord mayor's visit to Brazil.
The two jurisdictions have been active in developing closer ties since a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Law Society and the Brazilian Bar Association Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB).
Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff said:
'There is a real boom in South-South investment, with transactions between Brazil and China and other emerging economies. Businesses are already using English law and UK lawyers, but we think the demand for UK law will only increase.
'In the past few years we have seen large M&A transactions between developing countries. There is also great demand for expertise in anti-corruption and money laundering in Brazil.
'Lots of UK lawyers are already working in Sao Paulo and Rio 2016 will create further opportunities. But it's important to translate this into long-term business relationships.
'The Lex Anglo-Brasil initiative will make it easier for UK lawyers to build their networks in Brazil and to capitalise on increased business between emerging markets.'
Bar Council vice-chairman Nicholas Lavender QC said:
'We welcome the opportunity to build on our working relations with the Brazilian legal market, and hope that this launch represents the start of a process which will strengthen our ties.
'Brazil has emerged as a leading and developing global economy, with a fast expanding legal sector. We look forward to the commercial and cultural exchanges which we hope Lex Anglo-Brasil will facilitate.'
Although Brazil has experienced sluggish growth in the past few years, South-South business is on the increase and expected to drive global growth for the next two decades. According to a recent report by HSBC, Brazilian exports are likely to increase by 8 per cent a year, with its trade with China increasing from 18 per cent currently to around 30 per cent by 2030.
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About Lex Anglo-Brasil
Lex Anglo-Brasil is a bilateral organisation, bringing together solicitors, barristers and Brazilian lawyers as well as in-house counsel to promote legal business between the two jurisdictions.
The organisation is supported by the Law Society and the Bar Council and led by Sir David Wootton, former lord mayor and partner at Allen & Overy.
Members will benefit from exclusive seminars and visits to build market intelligence, whilst a placement scheme will allow Brazilian lawyers to gain experience in the UK.
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body, established for solicitors in 1825, that works globally to support and represent its members, promoting the highest professional standards and the rule of law.
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