New
Guide
England and Wales as an open jurisdiction to European and foreign lawyers after Brexit
05 Aug 2025
4 minutes read
Summary
- England and Wales is an open jurisdiction to EU and foreign lawyers
- The freedom for lawyers qualified in EU and other foreign jurisdictions to provide legal services and establish practices in the UK has not changed as a result of Brexit
- The practising rights of EU lawyers in England and Wales go above and beyond the baseline commitments that the UK has taken under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- Barring the six activities reserved to the legal professions of England and Wales, claims management, financial services and immigration work, you do not need to be a qualified solicitor to provide legal services and/or draft contracts under English law
Resources
Qualifying from abroad to work in the UK
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE): guidance for foreign lawyers
SRA guidance on registered foreign lawyers
SRA guidance on the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme
If you have any questions on the status and practising rights of EU and foreign lawyers in England and Wales, email international@lawsociety.org.uk.