The City’s top lawyers have met with the Lord Chancellor to discuss the future of the industry ahead of Brexit negotiations.
The Ministry of Justice yesterday (19 January) announced plans to hold a ‘Global Britain’ summit in spring, following a meeting held at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Yesterday’s round table meeting was the second of two, the first held in September, between Lord Chancellor Liz Truss and law firms under the City of London Law Society. Yesterday’s meeting also included representatives from The Law Society, City UK, the Bar and the judiciary. Approximately 20 firms were represented at the meeting with Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas also in attendance.
The City of London Law Society has said it will set up a committee to try and assist the process of Brexit by making the resources of City law firms available to government as negotiations proceed. The committee will work with the Bar, the Law Society and City UK to provide advice.
Chairman of the City of London Law Society Edward Sparrow (pictured) said: ‘It was a very positive meeting. In relation to Brexit, there was a recognition that it is very important we do everything to ensure English law and the English legal system continues to enjoy the pre-eminence it has currently – things like English law judgments continuing to be enforceable across the EU. The Government recognised that and made it very clear that that is an important part of their negotiations.’
Lord Chancellor Truss stressed the importance the legal industry, which boosts the economy by some £25bn each year, would take in negotiations: ‘English law is rightly renowned across the globe, making this country a great place to invest, do business, litigate and seek justice. It is in the interests of all European countries who want to do business here that we maintain civil justice cooperation when we leave the EU, so we are already working to make sure we get the best possible deal for the profession.’
Attendees at yesterday’s meeting also discussed of access to justice, diversity and social mobility and how to get more solicitors in the judiciary were also discussed by the group.
madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk
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