Advocating for you internationally: our recent market access achievements

Through our dialogue with foreign governments and bar associations, we’re helping to secure market access for you and your colleagues in key jurisdictions around the world.

We’re pushing hard for more support and opportunities to help our sector reach its full global commercial potential.

Discover which key jurisdictions we’ve helped secure access to over the last 24 months.

Europe

Greece – UK lawyers can practise again after Brexit

In August 2024, Greece passed legislation to enable UK lawyers to practise English and public international law in the country, implementing its commitments under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

This is the culmination of more than three years of our continuous efforts advocating on behalf of members, working in close collaboration with UK government officials, law firms and the Greek Bar Associations of Athens and Piraeus.

The measure will allow English and Welsh solicitors and other UK lawyers to register with one of Greece’s local bars and practise under their home title.

Switzerland – no exams and smoother business travel for UK lawyers

In June 2023, the UK signed an agreement which will allow UK lawyers to continue to practise and requalify in Switzerland without having to complete a Swiss law degree or sit any local exams.

The UK-Switzerland agreement on the recognition of professional qualifications creates a permanent route for lawyers qualified in the UK to requalify in Switzerland after three years of registration and practice.

In addition, UK lawyers will continue to be able to fly in and out of Switzerland and sell services to clients without the need for a permit until at least the end of 2025, following an extension to the Services Mobility Agreement.

We’ve been pushing for these outcomes on behalf of our members during trade negotiations and both agreements reflect our recommendations.

Read our guide to doing legal business in Switzerland

Luxembourg – UK lawyers can practise again after Brexit

In June 2023, Luxembourg also passed legislation to enable UK lawyers to practise English and public international law, implementing its commitments under the TCA, following our initiatives in raising the issue with local representatives.

Read our guide to doing legal business in Luxembourg

South Asia and ASEAN

Malaysia – foreign law firm licence renewals extended

In September 2024, the Malaysian Bar Council extended the validity of qualified foreign law firm licences from three to five years after their first renewal, following our influencing on behalf of members.

We’ve been pushing for this extension for several years, together with the UK Ministry of Justice and British High Commission Kuala Lumpur as part of the legal services working group, led by the UK’s Ministry of Justice.

While licences will be valid for three years the first time they’re issued, their validity will be extended to up to five years after the first renewal, providing more certainty for firms establishing themselves in the market.

Read our guide to doing legal business in Malaysia

India – rules published that open up India to English and Welsh solicitors and law firms

In March 2023, the Bar Council of India published rules allowing UK and other foreign lawyers and law firms to establish a presence in the country.

Following years of our influencing on behalf of members, we are continuing to liaise with our Indian counterparts and stakeholders to push for improvements to, and implementation of, the new rules.

Read our updated guide to doing legal business in India

North Asia and the Pacific

Japan – improvement to how foreign lawyers register in Japan

In July 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Justice streamlined the registration process for foreign lawyers, following our recommendations to improve market access for English and Welsh solicitors and firms.

The changes will help to save time and money for both law firms and foreign lawyers in Japan.

The decision is the result of extensive collaboration with key stakeholders across the UK and Japan to improve access to Japan’s legal services market, which was valued at over $5 billion in 2023.

Through our dialogue with the Japanese government and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, we’re continuing to advocate to further improve the process.

Read our updated guide on doing legal business in Japan

Africa and the Middle East

Saudi Arabia – clarification and improvement of rules for firms

In February 2024, we held an information session on Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Programme (RHQ), in partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA).

This session, and our efforts to build a strong professional relationship with MISA, has given more clarity to firms on the RHQ rules.

We have continued to maintain links with MISA and support our members with related queries.

Read our guide on doing legal business in Saudi Arabia

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