FAQ

Traveling to the United Kingdom – COVID Guidelines
During these uncertain times, foreign travel requirements and guidelines change regularly. Please be aware of the current restrictions and requirements to travel to and from the United Kingdom. Links provided below may assist you in understanding your obligations to ensure travel to and entrance into the United Kingdom:

Entry Requirements into the United Kingdom
Mandatory Passenger Locator Form
Covid Test Provider Service in UK

What to Wear?
Proper decorum is mandatory at all times. We are the special guests of the Lord Chief Justice, The Right Honourable Lord Burnett of Maldon and the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the Right Honourable Lord Reed of Allermuir. When we attend court sessions, we often sit where only barristers are normally permitted. Although we are not required to wear wigs and robes, we are required to be dressed in dark conservative business attire. Men should wear dark suits and neckties. Ladies should wear dark suits, jackets with either skirts or slacks, and somber blouses. Since we will be doing some walking, you should wear comfortable walking shoes during the day; however, sneakers are inappropriate.

Friday’s Gala Event at the Houses of Parliament: This is our “formal” evening and you will want to plan accordingly. Ladies should wear cocktail attire and gentlemen should plan on a suit and tie. Black tie is not required. Ladies: please note that the floors in the Houses of Parliament can be smooth and uneven. You may want to take this into consideration when selecting your heels for the evening.

Customs and Immigration
Before you arrive...make sure you have the appropriate identification and the correct visa before you get here:

Passports
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK. U.S. citizens may not leave the country if their passport is due to expire within the next six months.

Visas
As a short-term business visitor and U.S. citizen, most participants of A Week in Legal London will not need a UK visa. If you are unsure of the visa requirements for your circumstances, please visit the UK Visa website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

Travel Restrictions and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Be sure to know what, if any, travel restrictions exist for travelers from the United States. As of May 2021, England is on system of red, amber, and green lists for international travel rules and in-bound requirements. Please visit the UK Coronavirus Rules, Guidance and Support webpage at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england?step-by-step-nav=8c0c7b83-5e0b-4bed-9121-1c394e2f96f3#history.

The U.S. State Department encourages all U.S. citizens traveling abroad to register. Please visit the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website at: https://step.state.gov/step/. Registrations will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security conditions.

The U.S. Embassy in London is now located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, SW11 7US, London (tel. [44] (0)20 7499-9000). The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh is located at 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BWW (tel. [44] (0)131 556 8315).

What is included in the registration fee?
The registration fee includes all MCLE sessions and materials, transportation to/from courts and event venues (Monday-Friday), Sunday evening reception/orientation, group lunches (Monday-Friday), and Gala Dinner on Friday evening. Travel to/from London and your hotel accommodations are NOT included in the registration fee. For those adding the Edinburgh dates to their itinerary, your rail ticket on Sunday to Edinburgh from London is also included.

London Weather in April
London experiences defined seasons which affect temperatures and weather. April can be a pleasant or blustery month and Legal London participants should plan accordingly. The average high temperature in April is 59°F, with an average low temperature at 45°F. When traveling to London, it is always wise to be prepared for the possibility of rain. We recommend dressing in layers and carrying rainwear or an umbrella.

Adaptors and Converter Plugs for Electrical Appliances
The electrical supply in London and Edinburgh is 230V AC and plugs have three square pins. An adapter plug and converter (Type G for US to UK conversion) are needed for appliances with any other formats. Be sure to bring an adapter plug and converter with you. Most hotels have two-pronged, European-style sockets for shavers in the bathroom.

Mobile Phones
Most dual and tri band mobile phones with GSM 900 or 1800 will work in Britain. Before you leave for A Week in Legal London, check with your mobile provider that the roaming function is activated on your phone. Many cell phone companies in UK can sell you an inexpensive “pay-as-you-go” cell phone with a UK phone number. You can add value to your phone by “topping-up” at newsstands and shops throughout the City.

Helpful Travel Websites
British Tourist Authority
Heathrow Express Train
Gatwick Express Train
London Public Transportation
National Rail
UK Travel Guides:
www.ukguide.org
www.londontown.com
www.visitlondon.com
https://edinburgh.org