International Committee

International Committee: Dual qualified lawyers

The international Committee is holding events specifically for international lawyers in London – those with overseas qualifications and UK lawyers practising international law. We held an incredibly successful evening at Edwin Coe LLB in Lincoln’s Inn on 14 January 2025. There was a panel of lawyers speaking.

Marta Sánchez Merino

Marta Sánchez Merino studied at the University of Córdoba, with part of her law degree completed at Lancaster University, UK. She spent 10 years intensely studying the civil law system, including training for a judge position in Spain. In 2020, she pivoted to London, embracing new career opportunities and ultimately earning her qualification as a Solicitor in England and Wales by

passing the SQE, currently billed as one of the hardest exams currently in the world. Specialising in cross-border commercial, company, and insolvency law for companies, Marta’s unique combination of civil law expertise and common law practice gives her a distinctive perspective on both legal systems. Some of Marta’s talk is summarised here in her own words:

“The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is not just a test of legal knowledge— it’s a test of how well you perform under pressure. And if you, like me, come from a civil law background, it’s not just about learning new laws; it’s about adopting an entirely new way of thinking.

Some of the biggest challenges for me as a foreign lawyer?

Switching from a civil law mindset to a common law way of thinking and mastering legal English— which is a completely different story from everyday fluency! In my speech, I also highlighted how time management and stress management are just as important as legal knowledge for success here, because this exam isn’t just about knowing the law, it’s about how well you can perform under pressure.

However, beyond sharing my experience, what truly made this event special for me were the insightful questions from an inspiring audience, questions that made me reflect on my own practice (that is exactly how we grow!):

• How does one keep up with two legal systems at once? You cannot thrive as a cross-border lawyer without immersing yourself in both the legal developments and the society they reflect. Law is always a response to what a society values, so understanding how people think is just as important as knowing the law itself! Personally, I believe it’s essential to read both newspapers and new regulations of every country you practice in.

• How often do I have to stop and think, “Is this common law or civil law?”

The truth? All the time! It’s like speaking two languages—you naturally switch, but sometimes you have to pause and be intentional.

• What does my cross-border corporate practice mean in real terms?

For me, it’s about translating the law for corporate clients. They usually come with a legal question based on their legal framework, but they need a solution in another jurisdiction. My role is to help them align their goals with their best interests within a different legal logic.”

Shams Rahman initially qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales. He is a senior litigation partner at Edwin Coe LLP and specialises in real estate and international trusts disputes. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Spears 500 and a full TEP member of the Society of Trusts & Estates Practitioners (STEP).

A substantial part of his practice involves working with clients and other colleagues from around the world. Coming from a proudly international “hybrid” heritage and as a bilingual speaker, Shams was keen to explore international opportunities at an early stage. He therefore later cross qualified as an advocate of the High Court in Pakistan where he was born before his family moved to the UK. He continues to benefit both professionally and personally from his ability to easily and seamlessly connect with and understand a diverse range of clients’ needs with a special regard to their cultural sensitivities and requirements.

Isabela Maculan graduated in Law at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil in 2017. During her degree, she undertook a semester at King's College London, which fuelled her interest in the Common Law system. Following her qualification in Brazil, Isabela then relocated to England, where she obtained a Masters degree from the London School of Economics in Public International Law before embarking in the requalification route through the GDL and LPC. After completely her training contract and qualifying at Dawson Cornwell, she advises clients on family matters with her work often having an international element.

Isabela opted to qualify via the GDL+LPC+TC route which was still available. Her advice is to concentrate on practical experience and to be patient! She says:

“My advice to those considering requalifying is to be patient and persevere. It can feel like the most important thing is to be able to refer to yourself as a “solicitor”, especially after a long qualification process in another jurisdiction. However, I strongly believe that experience is more important than the title. While the long route of GDL, LPC and training contract is disappearing, I would encourage those looking into the SQE to really focus on immersing themselves into the practice, and finding a firm that will truly see a dualqualified lawyer as an asset and which will encourage their growth.”

The International Committee will be holding further events on crossqualifying and bi-lateral events with other organisations.■