International
Krakow twinning O
n the 11th March 2020, shortly before we were all asked to self-isolate and all trips were cancelled, we had an important event which marked the twinning between the Westminster and Holborn Law Society and the Krakow Bar Association. This important ceremony took place in the official residence of the President of the Law Society of England and Wales, which is a beautiful early 18th Century house just off Chancery Lane.
Konopka of the Krakow Law Society for representing the Krakow Bar Association at this event. We also wish to extend our thanks to Silvia Gimenez, President of FBE, Sergio Marco and Kataryzna Wasowicz of the Murcia Bar Association and Izaskun Azpitar, of the Bilbao Bar Association for attending. We were indeed lucky that this event took place when it did; only a week later and we would not have been able to welcome these colleagues and friends.
We were delighted to have distinguished visitors from Krakow, Murcia and Bilbao join us. We extend our thanks to Aleksander Gut of the Krakow Bar Association, who attended in place of Pawel Gieras, Dean of the Krakow Bar Association and to Kinga
The WHLS has twinned with various law societies and bar associations within Europe, such as Berlin and and this was an important opportunity to strengthen and emphasize the connections we have in Europe, which are more important than ever, particularly following Brexit. We heard William Longrigg, the key note speaker, speak about the importance of such relationships. He emphasized how these connections mean so much to all legal associations throughout the world. As the former President of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, he was able to emphasize the value that lawyers all over the world place on their relationships with one another. Because the event took place only shortly before a lockdown was announced, guests were not able to shake hands or embrace one another – even after the symbolic signing of the twinning agreement, where the traditional handshake was replaced with an ‘elbow-shake’. It was nevertheless a very enjoyable event, which included a delicious lunch at Middle Temple. We wish to extend our thanks to our foreign guests for attending this event and for sharing with us their enthusiasm for this important event. ■
CENTRAL LONDON LAWYER 11
