In this series, we speak to our inbound and outbound seconded lawyers about their experience working at firms in different jurisdictions.
We dive into the differences in legal work, culture and what they've learnt from working in a new country. In this edition, we speak to Senior Associate Frithjof Schütte, who has been seconded to Travers Smith from Germany.
How long have you been seconded and what is your role?
I joined Travers Smith for a six-month secondment in February 2024, and work as an Associate Secondee in the firm's Dispute Resolution team in London. The team advises a wide range of clients on all kinds of disputes, before civil courts and arbitral tribunals and, similarly to my work in Germany, I have been involved in various matters assisting the team in any task that arises in connection with these disputes.
How does your work in the UK differ to that in Germany?
At a high level, there are many differences between the two legal systems, most obviously because the English legal system is a common law jurisdiction, while Germany is a civil law jurisdiction. The biggest difference in my experience is, however, in the way legal proceedings are conducted in the UK. In Germany, a large part of my work relates to the drafting of court submissions and the preparation for, and advocacy in, hearings before German courts, whereas in England, there is a distinction between solicitors and barristers. It was and still is somewhat unusual for me that a substantial part of my work in Germany is, in general, done by the barristers while solicitors focus more on the client relationship and fact-finding. Another significant difference is that German civil procedure does not provide for discovery and document production, which forms a sizable chunk of the solicitor work in the UK.
What makes the relationship between Travers Smith and your firm work so well?
The two firms are very similar, both in terms of their structure and their approach to day-to-day client work. Both are independent law firms, whose aim is to provide the highest quality of service to their respective clients. To achieve this, people are committed to their work and willing to put in the necessary work. At the same time, there is a great deal of collegiality among all members of the team, which is also reflected in the relationship between Travers and my firm.
What have you learnt from working in a UK-based law firm? Are there any lessons you might take back with you to Germany?
In addition to me having acquired a much greater understanding of the English legal system, I have learnt a great deal about the English legal market. I also learnt many English phrases that are used in English court proceedings, although I think that I will never choose to refer to a colleague at a hearing as "my learned friend", something which I've heard used many times at English court hearings.
What is your favourite spot in the City?
It feels almost impossible to pick just one because there are so many great places and different neighbourhoods in London. I thoroughly enjoyed many of the museums London has to offer, like the Churchill War Rooms or the Royal Observatory Greenwich, as well as the opportunity to see different musicals on a quiet weekday evening, which I would otherwise never have seen. However, if I had to pick just one, my choice would be the Bill Murray Comedy Club in Angel. I have never been to a Comedy Club before, but I can honestly say that I had some of the best evenings there while being in London. I will truly miss it when I'm back in Germany.