Breaking barriers for UK lawyers in post-Brexit Italy
09 Jul 2025
Less than 1 minute read
News
The Law Society of England and Wales and the Italian National Bar signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support UK lawyers practising in Italy.
“In a post-Brexit breakthrough, the Italian National Bar committed to pushing for legislative changes that will introduce the ‘Foreign Legal Consultant’ status in Italy. This will enable our members to register to practise under their own professional qualification (home title) and allow UK lawyers to form partnerships with their Italian counterparts,” said Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales.
“The EU is the UK’s second largest export market for legal services and a top priority for the profession. Due to Brexit, UK lawyers no longer have the right to register with one of Italy’s bar associations or partner with Italian lawyers despite the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement protecting their right to advise clients on English law and public international law.
“We thank the Italian National Bar for their support and look forward to working with them to make this Memorandum a reality and the UK legal sector stronger. It’s vital for jobs, growth and our economic security that the international dimension of our legal profession is maintained and strengthened.”
Notes to editors
The Memorandum of Understanding can be sent on request.
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