Legal Services 2021 UK Guidance

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UK Post-Exit Guidance Notes [2020]

1. UK-qualified lawyers with businesses in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you are a UK lawyer with ownership interests in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (EEA-EFTA) you need to contact the local regulator for specific advice.

2. EU- or EFTA-qualified lawyers with businesses in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

If you are a Registered European Lawyer (REL) or a lawyer with qualifications from EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (EEA-EFTA), you need to take one or more of the following actions before the end of the transition period to continue to own, or part own, a legal services business in England, Wales or Northern Ireland:

  • requalify in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
  • become a Registered Foreign Lawyer
  • make the necessary changes to your practice or business structure to comply with the new regulatory arrangements

EU lawyers and Registered European Lawyers (RELs) who own or part own regulated legal services firms in England, Wales or Northern Ireland should contact their UK regulator for specific advice.

Registered European Lawyers (RELs) may also own unregulated legal businesses.

3. Employing lawyers from the EU, EEA and Switzerland after 31 January 2020

There will be no change to the way EU, EEA and Swiss citizens prove their right to work until 1 January 2021. Irish citizens will continue to have the right to work in the UK and prove their right to work as they do now, for example by using their passport.

You can find more information in the guidance on employing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.

EU and EEA-EFTA businesses in England, Wales or Northern Ireland employing EU, and/or EEA-EFTA lawyers should contact their relevant UK regulator for specific advice.

4. Scotland

Legal services business owners in Scotland should contact the relevant Scottish regulators – see further information for specific advice.

5. Further information