The president of the Law Society has said she wants legal links between the UK and Israel to be strengthened following a visit to the country.

Linda Lee flew to Jerusalem last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Israel Bar Association.

Ms Lee, who is not Jewish, said that the IBA and the society had engaged closely on a range of issues for some time and that she hoped the next 50 years would prove as effective as the first 50.

"It is an honour to be invited to such an important event marking this 50 year milestone for the IBA," she said.

"It is perhaps reflective of the strong links the legal sector in the UK has with Israel. We hope those links will continue to be strengthened, especially as Israel continues its drive to a liberalisation model which could enable foreign lawyers to practice and establish branch offices in Israel.

"We were encouraged by the Knesset's passing of legislation last year that would open up the Israeli market.

"That, coupled with Israel's growing economy over the past decade, makes Israel a jurisdiction of growing interest to our members."