Following the sucess of 2008's inaugural event, the GCC expo is returning to London in June this year. The 2010 event will focus on the potential for GCC-Britain bilateral trade and offers senior decision makers from the GCC states and the UK the opportunity to update their knowledge of the GCC-UK business environment and investment climate, network with giants from key industries and develop new business opportunities.

You can now register your interest for the Law Society's Gulf Lawyers Training Programme in June 2010 in Dubai and Doha. The courses, a joint initiative of the Law Society and the College of Law, are CPD accredited and led by leading trainers in the field. Each course is a full day and carries 6 hours CPD.

Lord Woolf of Barnes, president of the QFC Civil and Commercial Court, has paid visit to Bahrain’s arbitration and mediation centre (BCDR-AAA). The BCDR-AAA, which opened its doors for business on January 11, became the first alternative dispute resolution centre to introduce statutory arbitration under which stipulates that cases where the amount contested exceeds $1.3 million will automatically be heard by BCDR-AAA rather than the national courts.

Find out how you can get involved in our Africa and the Middle East activities both in the UK and abroad throughout 2010. Highlights include trade missions to South Africa and Qatar, a Saudi Investment conference (London), CPD accredited professional training courses in Dubai and Doha and a broad programme of seminars and networking opportunities.

The International Division will be carrying out a market scoping visit to Mauritius between 24th - 27th February 2010 at the invitation of the Mauritius Law Society and led by Law Society president, Robert Heslett.  

The Law Society will be leading its first trade mission to Johannesburg and Cape Town from 22 - 26 March 2010.  The delegation will form part of the Lord Mayor of the City of London's business delegation and includes a broad-ranging programme of strategic meetings, seminars and networking opportunities.  Delegates will also have the opportunity to participate in the IBA African Region Forum conference in Cape Town.

The Law Society President, Robert Heslett today signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Law Society of England & Wales and the Law Society of Mauritius (LSM). Mr Manon Mardemoootoo, President of the LSM, has been in London this week to attend the Opening of the Legal Year and represented the LSM at the official signing. HE Mr Abhimanu Kundasamy, High Commissioner to Mauritius in the UK, also attended the occassion.

Law Society president Paul Marsh will host an event on Thursday 9 July focusing on the recent growth in Africa's emerging markets and the opportunities and challenges for lawyers and firms in key sectors in Africa.

Registration for the June CPD training courses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is now open. Now in its third year, the successful Gulf Lawyers' CPD training programme is offering courses on 'Introduction to Private Equity' and 'Joint Ventures'.

The Saudi Gazette reports that for the first time, law firms in the Kingdom have appointed women to paralegal positions which means they can carry out a large proportion of work on cases but not appear in court.

The Ministry of Justice has yet to approve the licensing of women lawyers which means they cannot appear in court. However, many firms have created separate female sections to train women and increase their participation in legal work.