UK-Swiss agreement creates opportunities for lawyers and law firms

The Swiss-UK Mutual Recognition agreement is good news for solicitors, law firms and the wider economy, the Law Society of England and Wales said today.

Law Society President Lubna Shuja said:

“Switzerland is an important market for UK legal services exports.

“There is vigorous trade in legal services in both directions and Switzerland is the third largest UK legal services export market in Europe*.

“This deal exactly reflects the Law Society’s recommendations.

“It confirms and extends indefinitely the current provisions for UK lawyers operating in Switzerland, giving them the permanent right to requalify in Switzerland after three years of registration and practice without having to complete a Swiss law degree or sit any local exams**.

“The agreement provides a clear, transparent and proportionate requalification path for UK lawyers in another jurisdiction, which the UK can use as a blueprint for more ambitious commitments in trade negotiations with other countries.

“This deal will benefit not only our members but also the wider economy.

“Legal services facilitate all international business transactions and provide crucial support to UK and multinational firms wanting to export.

“The sector consistently generates a trade surplus. In 2021 net exports of UK legal services stood at £5.4bn.”

* Latest data available is for 2021: 2021 data from the Office of National Statistics

** These provisions were due to expire at the end of 2024

Kindly shared by The Law Society of England and Wales

Main article photo courtesy of Pixabay