header-logo header-logo

26 July 2019 / Christian Wisskirchen
Categories: Opinion , Profession , Brexit , EU
printer mail-detail

International special: Open for business

Christian Wisskirchen explains why doing legal business in the UK post-Brexit makes sense

Since the EU Referendum in the UK three years ago, many law firms and in-house counsel around the world have been asking themselves whether it may be advisable for their clients to continue using English law in their international contracts and whether to continue to resolve their disputes in our jurisdiction.

Understandably, there has been significant marketing activity, notably by legal stakeholders in leading EU jurisdictions, advising international clients to move away from the use of English law and jurisdiction because of the perceived ‘uncertainty’ arising from Brexit. Let me be crystal clear: whereas there exists uncertainty in relation to economic and regulatory EU-UK cross-border issues, there is no uncertainty whatsoever in relation to the use and the usefulness of English law and dispute resolution in the English Courts. EU law simply does not apply to commercial contracts and to commercial dispute resolution.

"The Bar has successfully positioned itself in a turnkey role to access English and international law services"

The only area where that is somewhat

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll