Due to world's globalization, the legal market place has broadened beyond national boundaries and the Internet allows for client development on a world-wide basis. Hence, many international law firms now offer their clients counseling and  provide legal resources throughout the world.

After  the tax authorities in France confiscated almost all my property, which I maintain was done illegally and in violation of human rights, I saw the Internet as a possible way  to restore my legal practice by operating a virtual office from  the place where I have entrenched myself in France. My cyber-office is open 24 hours every day, using e-mail extensively and corresponding on line as appropriate.. I work at my desk daily in front of my computer and check my e-mail several times each day.

I confess that this method of working has not met with as much success I had first contemplated. It is true that the Internet has enormously improved the means of communication much as the telephone and telecopy did in the past, but it does not change basically the way public sees and uses lawyers.

Indeed, I do not know any country where the public  has a good opinion of  lawyers. On the Internet there is the added  distrust that one  may have vis-à-vis foreigners. To be fair,  distrust of lawyers is often linked with the deficiencies of the legal system within whch they are working. The  number of newsgroups, blogs and web sites on the Internet which address legal difficulties and corrupted  and corruptible judicial bodies or questonable judicial decisions is surprisingly high and concerns even the most democratic of countries.

Venturing in the avenues of international human rights practice has appeared to me the right thing to do to bring reforms home in France.and help my fellows countrymen/women. I do not see this as one huge insurmountable battle but rather as a humble and honored process requiring day-to-day fights on behalf of my fellows men and women,  hopefully working together with other Human Rights Defenders.

Christian Lesecq

E-mail:chrislex@wanadoo.fr

Revised on March 13, 2008