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Trade Promotion

Asked by Ben MaguireLiberal DemocratDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 6 March 2025UIN 34194

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ensure that (a) UK legal services and (b) the use of English law are promoted overseas as part of an integrated trade policy.

Answered by Mr Douglas Alexander

The UK has a reputation for the rule of law and as a global centre for legal services excellence. To date, the government has ensured the inclusion of commitments which facilitate the provision of legal advisory services in UK and international law by UK lawyers in its Free Trade Agreements with the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

Furthermore, the government will seek to support UK service suppliers, including those from the legal sector, via the future Trade Strategy which will reflect the government's ambition to improve UK's trade and investment with international partners.

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