A SOLICITOR who runs his own Bolton-based practice was a guest of French lawyers as vice president of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Joe Egan, managing director of Joe Egan Solicitors, deputised for the society's president at a celebration to mark the opening of Paris' legal year — but he also a chaired meeting on Brexit between British and French lawyers.

The 68-year-old attended in full robes at a solemn official ceremony Palais Du Justice in the French capital following by a a black tie ball that welcomed 3,000 legal experts and guests.

Mr Egan said: "We were also invited to a lunch and a dinner by Frederic Sicard, the batonnier or leader of the Paris Bar.

"It was quite an experience."

Mr Egan's wife Clare Egan, who is practice manager at his firm, travelled with her husband for the trip.

She said: "The opening of the legal year in our country is a big thing and there's a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in October every year.

"The event we went to in Paris was the French equivalent but the actual ceremony is completely different: there was no religious aspect and it was held in a normal courthouse and there was lots and lots of speeches.

"It was a very interesting experience listening and talking to French lawyers and another people working in France and that's all very useful for the Law Society to have these kind of contacts."

Mr Egan chaired a meeting about Brexit and its impacts on the legal profession in the two countries.

Foreign lawyers, such as British nationals working in France, expressed their concern about their immigration status, job security and family lives and "the fact that nobody has any answers", said Mrs Egan.

She said: "The main thing that came out of this meeting was they hope that there will be reciprocity if the British government continues to recognise the qualifications of French lawyers.

"There have been no decisions and there are lots of complications."

Mr Egan, who set up his namesake firm 30 years ago, continues to practice part-time and is currently specialised in litigation cases.

In line with the customs of the Law Society, he will become its president in July.

Joe Egan Solicitors has offices in Wood Street and Mawdsley Street in Bolton town centre.