Bates Wells & Braithwaite was co-founder of The Parlex Group of European Lawyers which was established in 1971. It has a member firm of lawyers in each of 19 European countries. It was the first European Economic Interest Grouping registered in England and its secretariat is at our offices in London.

Its purpose is to ensure that the clients of each member firm have instant access to excellent professional advice throughout the European Economic Area and beyond.

From its inception, Parlex has been both a personal and a professional association and strong ties of friendship and trust have developed over many years. These ties are strengthened by a series of exchanges of junior lawyers between firms. As a result, members and their clients can be sure of the importance of their work when handled by all other members.