Two ways we've been championing access to legal markets in Ghana and India

We’re working to improve members’ access to international legal markets. We met with delegations from Ghana and India to explore how to build closer relationships between solicitors and firms.
Delegates from the Ghana Bar Association met with I. Stephanie Boyce, president of the Law Society, and representatives from top UK firms
Delegates from the Ghana Bar Association met with I. Stephanie Boyce, president of the Law Society, and representatives from top UK firms

Ghana Bar Association meets top UK law firms to promote business opportunities in London

We hosted a delegation from the Ghana Bar Association on 14 June led by president Yaw Acheampong Boafo and national secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour.

Several partners from UK law firms with a strong presence in Africa also took part in the roundtable.

Our president I. Stephanie Boyce delivered the welcoming speech, reaffirming our commitment to support and promote members’ interests in Ghana and other vital markets in Africa, including Nigeria, Rwanda and Kenya.

The Ghana Bar Association provided remarks on how firms in Ghana can position themselves in building productive partnerships with their UK counterparts.

The two sides explored how collaborative business opportunities could be generated through a closer relationship between the two jurisdictions.

Trade relations between Ghana and the UK

Ghana is the UK’s fourth biggest export market in sub-Saharan Africa, owing in large part to its excellent links to Europe and the US.

The 2021 UK-Ghana Trade Partnership established a path towards even closer economic ties between the two countries.

In April, UK prime minister Boris Johnson met with Ghanian president Nana-Akufo Addo to discuss the benefits of enhanced cooperation, focusing on defence, security and trade.

The UK-Ghana Business Council also convened in London to consider ways to deepen free trade between the two nations.

Indicating the success of this round of talks, the UK government announced its aim to boost UK-Ghana trade to £1.4bn by 2024.

Seizing opportunities

With a view to seize the array of opportunities provided by closer economic ties, delegates discussed opportunities for engagement and explored ways to build productive partnerships between firms in the UK and Ghana.

Of particular interest was how African firms can raise their international profile and generate business opportunities with UK firms.

We support the Ghana Bar Association in its endeavours to enhance cooperation with the UK legal profession through our work to represent and promote the interests of our members in Ghana and the wider region.

We were delighted to hold this successful roundtable at the Law Society on behalf of our members and the Ghana Bar Association.

It was a crucial step towards strengthening our ties with the Ghana Bar Association and understanding its key priorities for collaboration with UK law firms.

Honourable incoming Chief Justice of India delivers powerful lecture on human rights

On 24 June, we hosted a distinguished lecture on human rights and judicial review by Honourable Dr Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

The event was held in collaboration with the India Business Group, OP Jindal Global University and the University of Southampton.

The Honourable Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, India Business Group, OP Jindal Global University and the University of Southampton at a Law Society lecture and gala dinner

Read more about the lecture

We were delighted to connect with colleagues and partners actively working in the UK-India legal sector at the lecture and gala dinner.

UK-India trade negotiations

Delivering the vote of thanks, Stephanie highlighted the timing of the event, which coincided with the fourth round of negotiations of the UK-India free trade agreement (FTA).

“We are hopeful that the FTA will deliver meaningful outcomes for the legal services profession, as we stand ready to share our expertise to support the discussions between our respective governments,” shared Stephanie.

She added: “These are exciting times for the UK-India trade and investment relationship, and we are keenly looking forward to progressing the discussions, particularly in the legal sector, through our close collaboration with the UK’s Ministry of Justice and Department for International Trade and relevant officials from India.”

We look forward to a close collaboration with the legal sector in India and further strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two jurisdictions.

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