During the summer, members of the Young Bar headed over to the Netherlands for the Anglo-Dutch Exchange, a programme run by the Young Barristers’ Committee and the Young Bars of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague for the last 60 years. It offers Dutch, English and Welsh young barristers and solicitors the chance to visit each other’s jurisdictions, exchange legal education and network.
This year’s jam-packed trip involved visiting the Supreme Court and the Dutch Commercial Court, playing a game of padel, watching The Netherlands v England in the Euros, a gala dinner and much more. Here you’ll hear from Jessica Allen (No5 Barristers’ Chambers, right), Poppy Watson (3PB, middle) and Nardeen Némat (CPS, left) about what they got up to – and why you should sign up for next year’s exchange.
Why did you apply for the Anglo-Dutch Exchange?
Jessica: As a student, I had a keen interest in comparative and international law. I studied law with French law at undergraduate level and focussed on comparative and international law during my postgraduate degree. Having now been called to the Bar, the Anglo-Dutch Exchange presented a unique opportunity to explore the differences between legal practice in common and civil law jurisdictions in particular.
Poppy: I have met and worked with lawyers from all over the world whilst studying in Berlin, mooting in Hong Kong and Vienna, interning in Innsbruck and working in Brussels and London. All of those experiences have been overwhelmingly positive and have encouraged me to look out for opportunities to meet foreign lawyers, learn about other legal systems and develop an international practice. At a time when the Netherlands is at the forefront of ground-breaking climate litigation, and England is seeing a similar rise in such cases, it was also a particularly fascinating time to meet with Dutch lawyers and discuss these developments.
What were some interesting differences you noticed between the Dutch and the English and Welsh legal systems?
Poppy: I’m not sure I am yet over my shock that the Dutch have three Supreme Courts (civil, criminal and tax divisions) with over 30 judges and 125 judicial assistants! Although I think the Dutch were equally in disbelief when they heard England and Wales only have one Supreme Court with 12 judges who tackle every area of law.
I was also interested to discover that both claimants and defendants pay a (non-recoverable) court fee to the Dutch Commercial Court, rather than the claimant initially making payment and then recovering the court fee if successful in the case.
Jessica: Although I understood that case law has a limited role in civil law jurisdictions, I was surprised to learn that it is very rare to have oral hearings in the Netherlands Supreme Court. Determining cases on the basis of written submissions alone raises the question in my mind of whether judges are given the best opportunity to question advocates and test their submissions. Having said that, the number of judgments the Court can hand down each year is impressively high!
Has this trip made you want to develop more international practice?
Nardeen: Absolutely. I have worked on cases involving mutual legal assistance and extradition and previously attended the World Mediation Forum, due to my interest in transnational cases and cross border dispute resolution. The exchange has undoubtedly solidified my desire to develop a more international practice.
Poppy: I have always wanted to have an international practice, but I would say that the trip has only furthered that interest. Whilst there are differences in our legal systems, there are far more similarities across international borders than many realise.
What were your highlights from the trip?
Jessica: For me, the highlight was developing new connections with young lawyers from England and Wales and the Netherlands. I was an active member and officer of local and national groups of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) during my studies and the exchange has reminded me how much I enjoy meeting, collaborating with and learning from my peers. The Bar can sometimes be a lonely place which makes it all the more important to seek out and seize opportunities like this where you can!
Nardeen: One of the main reasons I pursued a career at the Bar was because of my passion for access to justice, human rights and the upholding of the rule of law, so the International Criminal Court was a firm highlight. Meeting and getting to know legal practitioners from diverse backgrounds both from the UK and the Netherlands was another, especially over a game of padel (which was lots of fun and fully inclusive of all abilities) and at the gala dinner hosted by the Bar of Amsterdam at the Euromast.
Poppy: Having studied the Bar Course online during the Covid-19 lockdown and consequently knowing few junior barristers, I would say my personal highlight was getting to know other junior practitioners. The exchange offered a unique opportunity to share and discuss our own experiences of the Bar and feel united in what can often be a fairly isolating profession.
What advice do you have for future delegates to get the most out of the trip?
Nardeen: Be yourself, speak to everyone and fully immerse yourself in every experience. It is easy to say but try to leave any work from home at home. Those who gained the most from the exchange participated in all activities, didn’t take themselves too seriously and embraced the unique opportunity to meet and learn from fellow legal practitioners. The days are long and filled with back-to-back events. There is a lot of walking (or in our case running for the last train or ferry back to our accommodation), so packing comfortable shoes is an absolute must.
Poppy: My advice would be to ask questions. I asked questions at almost every court or law firm we attended and imposter syndrome would immediately kick in and make me think it was a silly question. Mercifully, every question either generated a group discussion or my peers would later say that they were glad I had asked it because they were thinking the same. Don’t let imposter syndrome win.
Find out more about the Anglo-Dutch exchange. Applications will open in March 2025.