Law Societies join other professionals in seeking post-Brexit rights

5th July 2018 | europe , law society of scotland

Leaders of the UK Law Societies have joined dozens of other signatories in a letter to the Prime Minister setting out the needs of the professional services sector post-Brexit.

The joint letter, signed by 42 members of the Professional & Business Services Council (PBSC), highlights the importance of the sector to the UK economy, in which it employs 4.6m people and contributes £188bn in gross value, with £66.1bn of annual exports.

It states: "With this in mind, it is essential that we can continue to serve our clients and support the wider economy after the UK leaves the EU. In order to do so, we need:

  • Mutual recognition of professional qualifications, products and operating licences;
  • Mutual recognition of the regulatory frameworks and regulators, from data protection to audiovisual media policy laws to statutory audits;
  • The ability of our service providers to fly in-fly out to facilitate advice across the EU27 and trade across Europe;
  • Mutual recognition of judgments so deals across EU27 countries can proceed with legal certainty;
  • Continued co-operation in areas that facilitate trade – such as data sharing;
  • The ability to educate and recruit the best talent from overseas, whether from the EU or beyond; and
  • Reduced uncertainty through any transition period.

"The UK can achieve these requirements by agreeing a deal with the EU that takes our needs into account. Failing to negotiate these elements would impair our ability to provide our services with the same range, depth and speed our clients around the world experience today, damaging their businesses and putting our sectors at a distinct competitive disadvantage."

The writers say they "took comfort" from Mrs May's Mansion House speech in March, and Business Secretary Greg Clark's speech 10 days ago, which "highlighted your awareness of these issues", but warn that "Services enable trade and underpin manufacturing; the two are inextricably linked, not separate, as the current negotiations might suggest."

They conclude: "The UK needs a deal that is good for Britain and one that works for the EU27. For this to be achieved, the contribution of the British professional services sector to the success of the UK and EU27 economies needs to be recognised and protected. We look forward to working with you to secure a deal which will sustain and enhance this success in the years to come."

The PBSC brings together the law, accountancy, consultancy, architecture, surveying and advertising industries, amongst others. Signatories to the letter included Lorna Jack, chief of executive of the Law Society of Scotland, her counterpart in Northern Ireland, the President of the Law Society of England & Wales, the chair of the Bar Council, three Presidents of regional law societies in England and five major London law firms, as well as representatives of the other professions covered by the PBSC.

Click here to view the text of the letter.