A month on from this year’s Devon & Somerset Law Society International Relations Twin Bars event, I’ve been reflecting on what was a truly memorable weekend.

From insightful discussions and educational sessions to great food, new friendships and plenty of laughter, the weekend was a fantastic opportunity to connect with legal professionals from across Europe and strengthen the relationships that make the Twin Bars programme so special.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in helping organise the event this year through my role on the DASLS International Relations Committee, as well as taking part in Friday’s Dragons’ Den-style pitching session. Representing the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers Division and Kitson Boyce, alongside my fellow JLD participants, was both exciting and slightly nerve-racking, but ultimately incredibly rewarding.

A huge thank you goes to our Dragons, Julie Waddell, Mark Evans, Colin Dart and Sue Prince, for challenging our thinking, asking thought-provoking questions and encouraging some fantastic discussions throughout the afternoon. Congratulations to everyone who took part; there were some brilliant ideas shared (and yes, inflatable pens may have made an appearance!).

Friday evening was spent enjoying a delicious dinner at Hotel du Vin, giving everyone the opportunity to catch up, meet new people and strengthen connections with colleagues and delegates from our twinned bar associations. One of the things I enjoy most about Twin Bars is the opportunity to learn about different legal systems, exchange ideas and build relationships with legal professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

Saturday started bright and early for some dedicated participants who took part in the Legal Runner event with Mark Evans, which was a very impressive achievement. Meanwhile, we hosted a café-style gathering at the Exeter Institute while our international delegates explored some of Exeter’s rich history, including visits to the Underground Passages and Exeter Cathedral. It was wonderful to showcase our city and give our visitors a flavour of what makes the South West such a special place (and yes, there were some debates about whether you put the jam or cream first!).

The evening on Saturday brought everyone together again for an informal dinner at The White Hart. Good food, great company and plenty of laughter made for a lovely end to another busy day. Some of the best moments of the weekend came from simply chatting, sharing experiences and making new friends (and practising my questionable French, thanks Duolingo).

The weekend concluded with the Legal Service at Exeter Cathedral. Seeing the procession through such an iconic setting was a real highlight and provided a fitting end to the event. Afterwards, we attended a reception at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, where bagpipes, drinks, canapés and a particularly moving speech from the High Sheriff of Devon rounded off the weekend perfectly.

As a trainee solicitor at Kitson Boyce and a member of the DASLS International Relations Committee and DSJLD, I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to help organise the event, deliver a pitch on Friday and spend time with such an inspiring group of people. Experiences like this are invaluable, not only for developing professional relationships but also for gaining a broader perspective on the legal profession and the importance of international collaboration.

A special thank you must go to everyone involved for all of their hard work, support and encouragement throughout the process. Thank you to the International Relations Committee, the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers Division and, of course, our fantastic international delegates for making the weekend such a success.

The event was full of learning, collaboration and unforgettable moments, and I am grateful to Kitson Boyce for supporting opportunities such as this. I look forward to continuing my involvement with the International Relations Committee and, hopefully, attending future Twin Bars events both here and abroad in the years to come. 

Here at Kitson Boyce, we are proud to be able to support our people in pursuing development opportunities like this event and working towards the next stage of their legal career. If you would like further information about careers at Kitson Boyce, please visit our careers page or contact us.