For the past few weeks, Serle Court had the pleasure of hosting a lawyer in chambers as part of the Bar Council’s China Training Scheme.  This year was the 29th year of the Bar Council organising the scheme which brought together a number of international lawyers, offering placements in chambers which are arranged in a very similar format to the bar’s mini-pupillages.  The Bar Council initiative ensures that training is available to Chinese Lawyers who wish to come to England, so that lawyers from both countries can learn from one another about their respective legal systems and areas of practice.

As part of their time in London, the 15 lawyers visited various courts, and attended academic and social events organised by the Bar Council and chambers.  

We had the pleasure of hosting Richard Cao from Jiangsu Yongheng Partners, based in Nanjing, Jiangsu, who is a specialist commercial litigator focussing on domestic and foreign related dispute resolution, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Richard worked alongside our barristers; attended court to hear trials and conferences with clients.  He attended our chambers seminars and networking events, as well as receiving written work on some of our ongoing cases.  

On Thursday 18th July, members of chambers attended a closing reception for the lawyers, with welcome remarks from Richard Atkins QC, Chair of the Bar of England and Wales where the lawyers were presented with certificates.  

Following his placement is chambers, Richard commented that:

“This is a once in a lifetime, unique experience for a practicing lawyer like me to spend a few weeks in a London Barristers’ Chambers.”

“I had so many of your barristers supporting me throughout, and I want to thank every single one of them who has been friendly and supportive to me.”

For more information regarding the scheme, please visit the Bar Council’s web page here.