The event aimed to bridge the gap and foster stronger legal connections between Tanzania and the UK, offering participants a chance to identify and nurture opportunities for mutual growth and collaboration between the two regions' legal sectors.
With the session being chaired by Michael Strain, Managing Partner at Bowmans Tanzania, and Scott Cowan, CEO of Africa Legal, the tone was set for an afternoon of meaningful dialogue and strategic insights.
A key topic of discussion centred around the unique best practices within Tanzanian and UK law firms. Participants noted the friendly, non-competitive ethos prevalent among East African firms, a cultural trait that fosters a collaborative rather than adversarial approach to legal practice. The conversation underscored the importance of adapting these practices for cross-cultural application, enhancing the synergy between Tanzanian and UK legal systems.
The dialogue then shifted to identifying sectors with a high potential for legal collaboration. Participants highlighted energy and mining as burgeoning sectors in Tanzania, pointing out that both sectors are impacted significantly by political seasons. The consensus was clear: consistent adherence to the rule of law is vital for fostering a stable environment conducive to good business and legal practices.
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the challenges of retaining talent and ensuring effective knowledge transfer within diverse legal environments. The roundtable acknowledged that the legal market is young and dynamic, with many young lawyers feeling empowered to start their own firms despite their lack of training and experience.
Participants emphasised the need for more structured training, akin to the UK's training contract scheme, for budding lawyers, alongside continued learning for young and experienced lawyers. They agreed that monthly courses on ethics, retention, financial planning and leadership skills would better prepare the legal community for the demands of the profession, and specifically highlighted that young lawyers need more training on ethics.
The roundtable concluded with a reflective session on how the legal sector can have more influence on regulators. Participants saw the need for more meetings like this one to achieve that aim. Where regulatory changes are needed, the participants said law societies have a crucial role in effecting change, and should also put pressure on regulators and advocate for the necessary amendments. Despite seeing some success after law societies put pressure on regulators, participants noted the slow response from regulators when firms offer to help them.
The managing partner roundtable discussion in Dar es Salaam was not just another meeting, it was a clarion call for closer collaboration, strategic innovation, and mutual growth between Tanzanian and UK legal firms. It laid down a marker for future engagements, promising a brighter, more collaborative future for legal practices across borders.
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