Would You Like to Teach Contract Negotiations in Malawi?

"Would you like to teach contract negotiations in Malawi?" This isn’t the usual ask of an English real estate lawyer trying to balance a particularly busy summer workload with a desire to spend time with the family in wet Cornwall, England.

I have been involved in numerous pro bono initiatives from the comfort of the London office (and occasionally straying as far as the offices of UNICEF or other pro bono clients in central London) and the idea of travelling 15 hours to East Africa was way out of my comfort zone. However, encouraged by friends, family and the pro bono team, I signed up and soon found myself in Malawi! Trying to apply contract principles and negotiation skills to an audience in a different jurisdiction was a huge challenge. However, with the support, assistance and close teamwork of Claire Donse (DLA Piper Paris) and Kirsten Girnth (DLA Piper Frankfurt) the sessions proceeded very smoothly.

Our group consisted of lawyers from the Malawian Ministry of Justice and lawyers in private practice. With around 300 lawyers serving a population of approximately 17 million people, we managed to connect with about 10% of the country's legal population! In addition to negotiation skills and strategies, we discussed social impact plans, freezing clauses and arbitration provisions. It was fascinating to hear and note the similarities and differences between our legal systems. Although it sounds cliché, I certainly learnt as much as I taught. Seeing the challenges first-hand, the will of the lawyers to succeed, the country and its people progress, the kindness and gratitude of the group, and the enthusiasm and good humour was worth the journey, the jabs and stopover in Addis Ababa airport.

Having New Perimeter and the pro bono activities of the firm provides an incredible opportunity for business lawyers to connect with lawyers and others around the world to share knowledge to our mutual benefit.