Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain hosts a meeting of international lawyers in Bahrain

Mr Paul Mercer, executive manager at Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) and a UK law qualified lawyer, commented that international law firms and international lawyers in Bahrain were keen to contribute to the Bahrain community and in this regard there was a consensus to establish a lawyers forum which would focus on utilizing the skills of international lawyers in Bahrain to undertake voluntary projects for the benefit of society.

Mr Mercer added that there is a culture within international law firms and international lawyers to volunteer their skills for projects to help the community and that the international legal community was very keen to promote this culture in Bahrain.

Mrs Joanne Emerson Taqi, partner at Norton Rose, Mr Clive Hopewell, partner at Charles Russell and Mr Jeremy Ingham, partner at Trowers & Hamlins, welcomed this initiative and were keen for the international legal community to participate in pro bono work which benefits society. Mrs Emerson Taqi, Mr Hopewell and Mr Ingham commented that each of their law firms encouraged pro bono work and that they looking forward to participating in the pro bono lawyers forum.

Mr Hopewell commented that Charles Russell is proud to be building upon their existing award-winning pro-bono programme in the UK, and at the forefront in delivering pro bono legal services to the Bahrain community.

Mr Mercer added that the pro bono lawyers forum would be looking at promoting social responsibility, organizing training and education events as well as charitable events.