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Stark choice for law firms under no deal

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
14 August 2019
Issue: 7853 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU , Legal services , Profession
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Law firm owners or co-owners with EEA or EFTA qualifications will need to re-qualify, re-register or restructure their business before Brexit if the UK leaves with no deal, the government has warned.

Registered European lawyers (RELs) have until December 2020 to do the same.

The Ministry of Justice published a short online advice sheet for lawyers last week, titled ‘Guidance for legal services business owners on preparing for a no deal Brexit’.

It stated that RELs or lawyers with qualifications from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtensein (EEA-EFTA) who wish to continue ownership of a legal services business in England, Wales or Northern Ireland must choose one of three options.  They must requalify in the UK, become a Registered Foreign Lawyer, or ‘make the necessary changes to their practice or business structure to comply with the new regulatory arrangements’.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can continue to be employed without needing to prove their right to work until 1 January 2021. 

Issue: 7853 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU , Legal services , Profession
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