Foreign advocates allowed to practice

Polish advocates claim that they do not fear competition from their foreign counterparts, however at the same time they are not going to ignore it. In accordance with an act on the assistance of foreign (EU) advocates, which comes into force today, foreign advocates will be allowed to launch private practices on condition that Polish advocates will have similar rights in member states. The number of foreign advocates coming to Poland may shortly increase, particularly after EU entry. Two German advocates have already submitted their applications to the Warsaw Bar Council (WRA) and are currently waiting to be listed. A foreign advocate will have to have a knowledge of the Polish language, however that knowledge will not be formally tested. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 10 p. C1) A.Z.