UK legal services are set to enjoy an export boost thanks
to guarantees in the UK-Australia trade deal that make it
easier for British lawyers to practise in Australia.
Almost £85 million worth of legal services were exported to
Australia in 2019 and the landmark deal, agreed in
principle between Prime Minister and
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June, removes
barriers for businesses and makes it easier for people to
travel and work together.
Under the deal, which is set to be signed in the next few
months, British lawyers can continue to provide UK and
international legal services in Australia using their
existing qualifications with more clarity and certainty.
This will include arbitration, conciliation and mediation
services.
New provisions will also support regulators on both sides
to address obstacles and remove red tape make it easier for
lawyers to get the necessary licences to practise. This
means that those looking to requalify in Australian
domestic law might face fewer barriers in what is already a
costly and time-consuming process that involves having to
sit up to 11 exams.
Legal services are a major industry in the UK contributing
£22bn to the economy, and employing around 350,000 people
who could take advantage of the legal wins in the trade
deal.
International Trade Secretary said:
Our trade deal with Australia is a big win for our
world-leading legal services industry, allowing them to
practise down under more easily, with more certainty and
support.
This deal will reduce barriers to trade, make it easier
for our people to travel and work together, and will
bring big benefits to our consumers and businesses.
Junior lawyers wanting to gain work experience in Australia
will also benefit from easier access to Australia’s Working
Holiday Maker Visa, with eligibility increased from 30
years up to those 35 years old.
International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, which
merged UK and Australian firms in 2012 and employs 3,500
across both countries, is one of the many companies to
benefit from the deal.
Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, Chair and Senior Partner, Herbert
Smith Freehills said:
Leading multinational law firms such as Herbert Smith
Freehills, with major operations in both countries, are
looking for certainty on mobility and RPQ provisions
relating to the legal profession. We are delighted that
the UK and Australian governments have included these
provisions which will help us to work more easily across
regions.
Law Society of England and Wales President, I. Stephanie
Boyce said:
The FTA establishes and drives collaboration between the
relevant bodies with the aim of addressing remaining
barriers to practise as a local lawyer in the other
country’s territory.
We now look forward to taking new steps to facilitating
international business with our colleagues in Australia.
While the final agreement is yet to come, these
commitments are a step in the right direction for both
our legal professions and we will continue to seek the
best deal for members in these discussions.
The UK’s world leading services industry will benefit from
better access through new digital and services provisions
in this deal. Alongside the new investment provisions these
arrangements will bring new opportunities to the whole of
the country.
A Free Trade Agreement with Australia is also a gateway
into the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region and will boost
our bid to join CPTPP, one of the largest free trade areas
in the world, covering £9 trillion of GDP and 11 Pacific
nations from Australia to Mexico.
