header-logo header-logo

Brussels beckons for UK lawyers

08 October 2025
Issue: 8134 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , EU , International , Brexit
printer mail-detail
A post-Brexit agreement to smooth the path for UK lawyers hoping to practise in Belgium has been reached by the respective professional bodies

UK and Belgium Bar and Law Society leaders signed a memorandum of understanding last week with the aim of simplifying the requalification procedures for UK lawyers.

Currently, Belgian lawyers can provide legal services other than reserved legal activities in the UK and practise arbitration, conciliation, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. They can also employ, be employed and partner with UK lawyers and work as in-house legal professionals.

Richard Atkinson, Law Society president, said: ‘Both UK and Belgian lawyers need to have the same professional rights in our respective countries.’

Peter Callens, president of the Order of the Flemish Bars, said the memorandum represents ‘a promising starting point’.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ben Daniels, DAC Beachcroft

NLJ Career Profile: Ben Daniels, DAC Beachcroft

Ben Daniels, newly elected as the next senior partner of DAC Beachcroft, reflects on his leadership inspiration and considers an impish alternative career

Osbornes Law—Lee Henderson

Osbornes Law—Lee Henderson

Family team bolstered by latest partner hire

Freeths—Graeme Danby & John Jeffreys

Freeths—Graeme Danby & John Jeffreys

Firms strengthens national restructuring and insolvency practice with leadership appointments

NEWS
In NLJ this week, Ian Smith, emeritus professor at UEA, explores major developments in employment law from the Supreme Court and appellate courts
Writing in NLJ this week, Kamran Rehman and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper examine Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV plc v Spain, where the Commercial Court held that ICSID and Energy Charter Treaty awards cannot be assigned
Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School highlights a turbulent end to 2025 in the civil courts, from the looming appeal in Mazur to judicial frustration with ever-expanding bundles, in his final NLJ 'The insider' column of the year
Antonia Glover of Quinn Emanuel outlines sweeping transparency reforms following the work of the Transparency and Open Justice Board in this week's NLJ
In Ward v Rai, the High Court reaffirmed that imprecise points of dispute can and will be struck out. Writing in NLJ this week, Amy Dunkley of Bolt Burdon Kemp reports on the decision and its implications for practitioners
back-to-top-scroll