International

The Department for Business and Trade is developing a Trade Strategy, which will set out a plan to achieve long-term sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth through trade. Questions the Trade Strategy might consider include:  

• how to facilitate trade for businesses and provide practical tools to support them to drive growth through trade now and in the future;  
• how to build the right partnerships internationally through trade mechanisms to promote growth, and  
• how the UK should operate in the international context to support and protect businesses. 

The Department for Business and Trade invited views from organisations, businesses and individuals about the areas of trade which are important to them. This feedback will be used as one of the channels to ensure the voice of external stakeholders is reflected in our approach.  

• Read our response

The UK Government's green paper sets out its vision for a modern industrial strategy – a credible, 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive our growth mission.

• Find out more on the UK Government website
• Read our response

The House of Lords International Agreements Committee (IAC) launched a consultation on the UK-India trade negotiations. 

• View the consultation on the House of Lords website.
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2022)

The House of Lords International Agreements Committee issued a consultation into the UK-Australia trade negotiations.

• View the consultation on the House of Lords website.
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2022)

The House of Commons International Trade Committee issued a consultation on the UK trade negotiations: Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

• View the consultation on the House of Commons website.
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (January 2022)

In January 2021, the House of Lords EU Services Sub-Committee published an inquiry on future UK-EU relations, looking specifically at trade in services.

• Read the inquiry
• Read the Law Society's response

The International Trade Select Committee has launched an inquiry into Digital Trade and Data.

• The Law Society of Scotland's response

The Trade and Agriculture Commission is an independent advisory board that has been set up by the Department for International Trade to advise and inform the government’s trade policies. The Commission issued a call for evidence as part of its work.

• read updates on the work of the Commission, including the call for evidence questions
• read the Law Society's response.

The House of Lords EU International Agreements Sub-Committee invited submissions on the ongoing trade negotiations with Australia, New Zealand and the US.

• The Law Society's response to the inquiry on UK/New Zealand trade negotiations
• The Law Society's response to the inquiry on UK/Australia trade negotiations
• The Law Society's response to the inquiry on US trade negotiations

The Finance and Constitution Committee issued a call for views on Scotland and the UK Internal Market.

•  The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2020)

In advance of the start of formal UK-EU FTA negotiations we have issued a briefing to the Cabinet Office and Taskforce Europe on legal issues relating to negotiations for the future relationship with the EU.

The Department for International Trade has issued a consultation on the future trade relationship and negotiations with the United States.

• View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (November 2019)

The House of Commons International Trade Committee has issued an inquiry on Trade and the Environment.  In its inquiry, the Committee will explore how the Government can support positive environmental outcomes through trade policy – including the achievement of the internationally agreed climate targets set out in the Paris Agreement, and how the negative environmental impacts of trade can be mitigated. 

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2019)

The House of Commons International Trade Committee has issued an inquiry on the impact of UK-EU arrangements on wider UK trade policy.

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2019)

The House of Commons International Trade Committee has launched an inquiry concerning UK trade in services. The inquiry examines the main barriers faced by UK services exporters, how the UK should seek to liberalise international trade in services, including negotiating international agreements, and potential domestic policy implications.

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (January 2019)

The Department for International Trade has issued a consultation on the future trade relationship and negotiations with Australia.

• View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2018)

The Department for International Trade has issued a consultation on the future trade relationship and negotiations with the United States.

• View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2018)

The Department for International Trade has issued a consultation on the future trade relationship and negotiations with New Zealand.

• View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2018)

The Department for International Trade has issued a consultation on the future trade relationship with the countries that make up the membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

• View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2018)

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee has issued an inquiry into Scotland’s priorities for future trade relations with the EU.

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (July 2018)
• Read our letter to the committee on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (January 2019)

The House of Commons International Trade Committee has issued an inquiry into UK Trade Policy Transparency and Scrutiny:

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament's website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (June 2018)

The House of Commons International Trade Comittee has issued an inquiry on the operational structure and powers of the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), as set out in the Trade and Customs Bills. The inquiry will also examine the relationship between the TRA and the Secretary of State, to ascertain whether the TRA has the requisite functional independence.

• View the inquiry on the UK Parliament website
• The Law Society of Scotland's response (April 2018)